The local area
Westgate Lodge is located at the quieter end of the High Street in Dedham, less than a two minute walk to the vibrant village centre with its Georgian fronted houses, galleries, award winning restaurants, independent shops, old fashioned tea rooms and traditional pubs. Within the village there are plenty of amenities and for those who enjoy dining in, the village boasts a well stocked general store, a delicatessen, and a butcher.
The cottage is the perfect location for exploring The Dedham Vale and Stour Valley, an area of outstanding natural beauty, which embraces one of the regions most cherished landscapes. The Dedham Vale encapsulates picturesque villages, rolling farmland, rivers, meadows, ancient woodlands and a wide variety of local wildlife which combine to create what many describe as the traditional English lowland landscape. The area has a rich history and has been the inspiration for many writers and artists.The area has affectionately become known as ‘Constable Country’ due to the strong connections with John Constable’s most notable works.
There are many other quaint villages and hamlets worth exploring within the Dedham Vale, including Stoke by Nayland often painted by Constable, the pretty village of Nayland on the banks of the River Stour and Stratford St Mary, with many fine timbered buildings and excellent farm shop. If you fancy travelling a touch further afield East Anglia’s charming small towns of Lavenham, Long Melford and Woodbridge are well worth a visit. Within Suffolk, another area of outstanding natural beauty is the stunning Suffolk coastline. Aldeburgh, and Southwold are both within easy reach if you have a car and combine charming towns with stunning coastline. The nearby towns of Colchester (6 miles) and Ipswich (12 miles) provide extensive shops, restaurants, museums and theatres.
For foodies
Dedham has an excellent choice of places to eat all within walking distance from cottage, from the award-winning Le Talbooth Restaurant (and Spa), to the impressive Boathouse Restaurant set on the river. There are also two fantastic country pubs in the village; the Marlborough Head and The Sun Inn which both serve food and are dog friendly. There are a number of other places to eat within walking distance including tea rooms, plus a delightful bakery offering freshly baked pastries, ideal for breakfast.
On the water
The River Stour provides a fantastic opportunity for seeing the Dedham Vale from a different angle. Get close to nature on the river, either under your own steam by canoeing or hiring a rowing boat, or perhaps trying your hand at paddle boarding. Alternatively, you can take a gentle potter on an electric powered boat, with the River Stour Trust which operates from Flatford Mill. The tiny hamlet of Flatford is a pleasant 40 minute walk through the water meadows from Dedham and was the source of many of Constable’s most famous works.
For walkers
The cottage is on the doorstep of the famous water meadows of the river Stour with the river forming the border between Essex and Suffolk. One of the best ways to explore the area is on foot and there are many established circular and linear walks to take you off the beaten track and into some stunning landscapes which were so inspirational to Constable.
Cycling
Enjoying the Dedham Vale from the saddle guarantees plenty of gorgeous scenery and a great workout too. The area lends itself perfectly to cycling with its network of quiet country lanes and gently undulating terrain, providing an enjoyable experience for cyclists of all abilities.
How to get there
Plan your journey – Google map
For those wishing to use public transport, Manningtree railway station is just two miles away and you can get a taxi from the station.
Dedham is located one mile from the A12 which provides ease of access to Colchester and beyond, as well as Ipswich and the Suffolk Coastline. Dedham is just over 1hr travelling time to London.