Constable 250 Celebrations

This year we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the great landscape artist John Constable. Born in East Bergholt, he spent much of his life painting landscapes in and around Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. To honor his legacy, we will be hosting upcoming events and there's lots happening in the region.

The Hay Wain, John Constable, 1821 (c) The National Gallery, London

Pub Activities

Constable Painting Workshop

The Red Lion, Saturday 13th June

Join local artist, Ginny Carter, for a fun, relaxed workshop, where you’ll create your own version of "Cottage in a Cornfield" inspired by John Constable's famous painting. This workshop celebrates Constable's 250th anniversary, in the very same village where he painted the original cottage.

Guided Walk and Lunch

The Red Lion, Sunday 14th June

Led by expert, Katie, from Gainsborough's House, head on a 4-mile guided walk through Constable Country, exploring the landscapes, villages, and viewpoints that inspired John Constable’s most iconic paintings. Top off the walk with lunch back at the pub!

Sip & Paint

The Anchor, Tuesday 16th June

Join Funky Easel as you create your own Constable-inspired painting of a little pink cottage amongst the fields. No experience needed - just pick a brush and grab a drink from the bar.

What's On In The Region?

Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich, will be hosting some major exhibitions throughout the year and into 2027. It will include rarely loaned work, such as The Hay Wain, preparatory sketches, and personal items to the artist.

Constable: A Cast of Characters

28th March - 14th June

A Cast of Characters explores the people and influences in Constable’s life, featuring letters, costumes, objects and important loans from public and private collections.

Constable: Walking the Landscape

 11th July - 4th October

Possibly the most exciting of the three exhibitions, this includes The Hay Wain and Dedham Vale alongside works from Constable’s childhood home, celebrating his connection to the Suffolk landscape. It's the first time The Hay Wain (normally in the National Gallery) will be exhibited in Suffolk itself.

Constable to Contemporary

24th October 2026 - 28th February 2027

A contemporary take on the legacy Constable has left behind. Constable to Contemporary juxtaposes his works with modern responses inspired by Constable's art.

Flatford Mill

The permanent exhibition explores the early life and work of John Constable, explaining how he found inspiration in the countryside around his home village of East Bergholt.

Gainsborough's House Museum

Gainsborough's House, now a Thomas Gainsborough museum in Sudbury, also holds in its collection some significant pieces on long-term loan from the Constable family, including correspondence and a set of paint brushes and paints. The museum is hosting an exhibition from 25th April exploring the emergence of landscape painting in Britain, including work by Constable, Turner and Gainsborough.

Right: Girl Seated (possibly Emily Constable) private collection on loan to Gainsborough’s House

Stay A While

April - September

Our Constable Country Stay invites you to relax and reconnect with the beauty of the Suffolk countryside at one of our pubs near Flatford. Enjoy a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast stay at The Crown, The Red Lion or The Black Lion, along with our Constable-inspired walking route that brings art and nature together and a gift, chosen especially for the anniversary.