Dedham and the Stour Valley

Legendary artist Gainsborough was born in Sudbury and worked there from 1746-1752. This fascinating museum is based in his birthplace, an elegant 16th century house in the centre of the town. The permanent collection covers the artist's whole career, from early portraits and Suffolk landscapes to works from his Bath and London periods.

For many years, a visit to Flatford was big on the landscapes and atmosphere, but maybe a bit lacking in information about the man who put the location on the map. Now the National Trust have remedied this with a fascinating exhibition on Constable's life, work and the inspiration behind his most famous paintings.

Run by volunteers, this interesting little museum has artifacts, photos and publications relating to the history of the town and surrounding area. It's located in the library in the town centre, approximately 15 minutes' walk from the station.

There's not much left of the grand 18th century church at Mistley, but what's there is magnificent and well worth a look – two amazing porticoed, classical-style towers designed by the famous architect Robert Adam. They were preserved as a landmark for sailors when the main body of the church was demolished in 1870.

This is a 'must-see' when you're in Dedham. Explore the life and work of England's most famous equestrian artist, whose work also gives us a window on rural life in the early 20th century. This brilliant little museum is in his former home, a Tudor-Georgian gem which he called the 'house of my dreams'.

A time-honoured Sudbury institution, the Quay is a brilliant little performance venue which presents a year-round programme of drama, music, comedy film and more.

A living landscape painting, Flatford has plenty to offer visitors in addition to its historical associations with Constable and his family. Take tea by the riverside, hire a rowing boat for a leisurely scull through leafy glades, or simply enjoy the glory of the countryside as you ramble through the green meadows under the big, open skies.

This 60-mile regional walking route runs from the estuary at Manningtree through the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to Newmarket, close to the source of the River Stour. If you're walking east to west, the first part of the trail leads from the Cattawade, close to Manningtree station, to Flatford Mill, Dedham and Stratford St Mary.

This part of East Anglia has been renowned for its culinary excellence for decades. Over the years, the traditional village inns have evolved and been joined by top-class restaurants to provide a wide range of mouth-watering eating out options, from haute cuisine to ethnic specialities. Pubs with great food and plenty of character include the Sun in Dedham and the Red Lion in Manningtree, the town's oldest pub. For scenic riverside dining, there's the Boathouse Restaurant in Dedham, as well as the Mill Hotel in Sudbury. In Manningtree, Luca is a welcoming bistro focusing on rustic Italian cooking, and in neighbouring Mistley there's the award-winning Thorn restaurant with rooms, originally an 18th century coaching inn.