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?

• You could expand your search to include our Gurus’ recommendations for all of the best places to stay in Essex? 
• Or you could refine your search by the type of accommodation you’re looking for? to the best pubs-with-rooms in Essex? for example? or Essex’s most romantic hotels?
• You might also want to consider some of Dedham’s neighbours? Colchester possibly? or Harwich?
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Dedham