Constable Country Landscapes
Landscapes don’t come more calming than the rolling idylls immortalised by John Constable. Combine pedalling through these pictures with some time out discovering the half-timbered treasures of South Suffolk’s inspiring medieval villages; add a charming country retreat and you have the perfect getaway break to leave you truly energized and inspired. Read More
England
Any Day
Bed & Breakfast
£405.00
3 Days, 2 Nights
Feb - Nov
Grade 2 (Easy)
Overview
When it comes to paying homage to the Grand Master, this great little tour is packed with Constable Country must-sees. Pedal down into the Stour Valley and Dedham Vale, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to discover places of real meaning in the painter’s life and work. Rest from the saddle a while in very special spots, admire the views and, like the painter himself, get things into perspective. The tour includes a night at a charming half-timbered in at Stoke by Nayland before choosing from return route options which take in Kersey and Chelsworth – some Suffolk’s most picturesque medieval wool trade villages- or Lavenham, Suffolk’s half-timbered jewel with its labyrinth of tiny streets and fine Guildhall of Corpus Christi on the Market Square.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive & explore
Arrive at Needham Market, explore the area and spend your first night in or near this small market town.
Day 2 Constable's home & inspiration
Head south down quiet country lanes at your own pace today and on through history-laden villages which won their wealth through the wool trade in medieval times. Pedal towards the River Stour which marks the border between Suffolk and Essex to immerse yourself in Constable’s Country, an area of mills and water meadows, pointed poplars and church tower pinnacles. Don’t miss Flatford Mill, perhaps taking a guided walk to seven sites painted by Constable here, including ‘The Haywain’.The painter’s birthplace, East Bergholt, is a must too with its fascinating church, then it’s time to follow the rise of the Dedham Vale up towards Stoke by Nayland.
If you fancy a gentler route still, there’s a chance to detour via the fine ‘Wool Town’ of Hadleigh with its impressive church spire and red brick deanery gatehouse. From here you cross the River Brett to approach Constable’s rolling landscapes from the north.
Your overnight is in the heart of Stoke by Nayland in a wonderful half-timbered coaching inn.
Mileage: Rec 33 Min (via Hadleigh) 24 Max 37
Day 3 Return route options
Two route options allow for a morning that’s as lazy as you need it to be. Both weave their way through wonderful little wool towns, edging the Rivers Box or Brett. It’s worth going the extra mile or more through historic Boxford to Lavenham, Suffolk’s most magnificent medieval jewel, but the shorter ride back to Needham Market via Kersey’s watersplash and charming Chelsworth allows a later start or simply time to linger over a well-deserved en-route pint.
Mileage: Rec 30 Min (via Kersey/Chelsworth) 23 Max 33
Gallery
Dates & Prices
Download PricesFor tour start days/dates, seasons and all prices, please click on the PRICES button above
PRICE INCLUDES
Ensuite accommodation as described with full English breakfast (prices based on two adults sharing)
Hire of hybrid bicycle and ancillary equipment (single pannier and handlebar bag or map holder, pump, basic tools, spare inner tube & puncture repair equipment, helmet if required)
Luggage transfer between hotels
Local assistance on call (we will attend for puncture repair in Suffolk)
Detailed itinerary with meticulously planned and researched routes following quiet country lanes with a choice of routes available each day (usually recommended, long and short)
Route notes, descriptions and use of good OS mapping (maps available on arrival). We pride ourselves on our detailed level of documentation which includes plenty of top tips for places to visit or for relaxing and sampling the local fare along the way. We send electronic versions of these documents by email approximately two weeks before your stay so you can plan ahead and look forward to your gentle cycling adventure
We have now switched the default navigation system to GPS – in our opinion this is now the most convenient method as it eliminates the need for frequent stops to check the map
- We provide you with access to a premium GPS smartphone navigation app (IOS or Android) and send you links so that you can download all of the route options before you leave home. We will provide a handlebar bracket for your phone if required; it is also recommended that you bring a spare battery/powerbank to make sure that your phone lasts the day
- We can also provide GPS tracks in whatever format if you prefer to load them into your own GPS Unit
- Finally, we can provide a limited number of GPS units with the routes preloaded – this is on a first come first served basis – please let us know as soon as you can if you would like to use one
- We also provide OS 1:50,000 mapping on arrival as additional support to allow for any impromptu route changes
- Traditional map-based navigation (using marked OS maps) is still available as an alternative at extra cost upon request (at least two weeks in advance)
Please note that the price EXCLUDES
Costs of getting to and from the start point
Accommodation Options
Selected 3 star hotels in Bildeston and Stoke by Nayland.
Weekend supplements are payable at both hotels for Friday and Saturday stays
We are pleased to discuss details on request.
Request Booking
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