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Dedham

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About Dedham

Dedham is now often referred to as the centre of “Constable Country”, named for the area’s famed local artist, who was so inspired by the beauty of this region that he painted many landscapes featuring its scenes of rural idyl.  The Hay Wain is the probably his best known work today - and a feature of London’s National Gallery, and this particular depiction, of Flatford Mill, has barely changed across the decades.  Constable also painted the town of Dedham - several times he included the local parish church, which you can see from the windows of one of our Gurus’ recommendations for the best places to stay in Dedham.  

In addition to the pub-with-rooms with Constable’s church view, our Gurus found a charming country spa hotel, and an elegant boutique hotel in Dedham Vale, to include on their list of recommendations for the best places to stay in Dedham.

In this part of the country it’s still the picturesque natural views that draw many visitors.  Expect scenes of canals and meandering waterways, rustic-looking cottages and historic buildings, water meadows and lush wooded areas.  This is wonderful countryside to explore on foot, or on two wheels, and there are plenty of trails and tracks that make this easy.  In the summer you may even consider exploring by boat, or doing a spot of wild swimming.  When it comes to formal attractions, the best places to stay in Dedham are convenient for the Castle House Gallery, with its collection of work by former Royal Academy President, Alfred Munnings; the Granary Barn and Museum in Flatford, which houses work by the famous local-based forger, Tom Keating; and a very good collection of National Trust houses.  Dedham today is a a charming village, well set up to accommodated guests, with tea rooms, cute boutiques and galleries, cafes bars and restaurants, and all the amenities you might need to pick up on holiday.  

The Best Places to Stay in Dedham

For Romantics

  • Milsoms is a boutique hotel with 15 rooms, a popular restaurant and bar, and great attention to detail when it comes to decor.  It’s just outside Dedham, close to the River Stour in green and pleasant Dedham Vale.  each of the rooms and suites are individually designed, with quirky detailing, fun finds, and original art by local artists.  The beds are well chosen, as are the linens and, and they deliver coffee and the mornings papers to the door of your room.  There’s a friendly mix of characters enjoying the restaurant and bar, and close by is Milsoms’ sister hotel, Maison Talbot, which has a spa, swimming pool and tennis court.  

For Families

  • The Talbooth House and Spa is a charming, 12 room, country house hotel in the Dedham Vale, with a recently-expanded spa, plus a pool and tennis courts - where they offer tennis lessons for kids.  The rooms are spacious, with beautiful views, and they’re all individually, and luxuriously, designed, and this still feels like a very small and intimate hotel.  On the ground floor there’s a small bar and a cosy sitting room with velvet sofas, but there’s no restaurant, which means you have to go out for supper - the sister hotel, Milsoms, has an excellent restaurant, and the hotel has a courtesy car to drive you to your restaurant reservations.  They’ll deliver a continental breakfast to your door too.  

Best Pubs-with-Rooms

  • The Sun Inn is a cheerfully-yellow-painted 15th century pub-with-rooms, in a central Dedham spot opposite the church that appears in several of Constable’s paintings.  It has just seven rooms, all of them individually decorated - some with a more traditional feel and four-poster beds, and some with contemporary style decor.   The pub is friendly and historic, with a family-friendly restaurant menu and a large garden.  Roll-away beds are available for families too.  Dogs are welcome too.  

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

  • If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

  • If you need to fly in, the closest airports to Dedham are London’s airports, with London Stansted Airport the very closest, about 45minutes away by car or taxi, or an hour and a quarter by bus.  If you’re travelling via central London by train, the journey will take you from Liverpool Street to Manningtree Station, which is about five minutes away by taxi from Dedham.  
  • If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
  • Dedham, and the surrounding Dedham Vale area, is known for its natural beauty, so it’s most popular with visitors during spring and summer, when the days are longer and lighter, and walking conditions are most comfortable.  The warmer months are also easiest for getting out on the river and riverside picnicking.  But Dedham’s pubs and historic houses issue a warm welcome in autumn and winter too, and there will be far fewer other visitors.

Still not sure where to stay?

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Best Hotels in Dedham

  • Milsoms Colchester, Essex 15 rooms from £140

    Sights nearby  -  Flatford Mill and Munnings Museum close by
    Restaurant  -  Brasserie with all day dining.
    Boutique
    Great walks  -  Good for walkers.
    RestaurantPet friendlyDisabled access

    Where the River Stour meanders through Constable country in beautiful Dedham Vale, eat, drink and stay, at this boutique hotel with a vibrant bar and lively brasserie serving excellent food. Close by is sister hotel, Talbooth House and Spa, with said spa, plus a swimming pool and tennis court See More

    Hotel Website
  • Talbooth House and Spa Dedham 12 rooms from £300

    Restaurant  -  Not onsite but Milsoms and Le Talbooth are 5 minutes away
    Spa  -  New extended spa and pool house with treatment rooms
    Great walks  -  In Dedham Vale AONB
    Swimming Pool  -  Lovely Outdoor Pool
    TennisSpaRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenDisabled accessParking

    Quirky East Anglian hotel and spa in the heart of Constable Country, with an outdoor pool and tennis court. Recently expanded spa and pool house with treatment rooms. Perfect for spa days and a cheeky night away. See More

    Hotel Website
  • The Sun Inn, Dedham Dedham 7 rooms from £145

    Families  -  Kids menus, spacious rooms, a garden with swings and slides and local kid's activies such as the Zoo
    Local exploring  -  The B&B is an ideal base for exploring the wonders of Suffolk and Essex
    Sights nearby  -  Explore the village of Dedham with its fine Grade I-listed Georgian architecture and medieval buildings
    Great walks  -  Stroll along the River Stour and admire the Water Meadows and wildfowl
    RestaurantGardenPet friendlyParking
    Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays, I Escape

    A charming 15th-century pub with seven rooms, situated in the heart of Constable's hometown. Rooms are comfortable and quirky some with four-poster beds, fireplaces and others a more modern feel. Excellent restaurant with regularly changing menu featuring the best seasonal produce. See More

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