Make hay in Constable country: The Stour Valley, Suffolk and Essex

And so to Dedham, which is another historic village of great charm. In the church there, you find one of Constable’s few straight religious works, The Ascension. The church itself is worth a visit for its fine tower and interesting monuments, including one to a lady who died after accidentally swallowing a pin. All these churches, most medieval with bits added in the 15th century building boom, have fascinating graveyards. In Dedham, there’s another excellent lunch spot, The Sun Inn on the high street, which has a terrific menu.