Taking a trip through John Constable country

Getting ready

First, let's do Anne's vocabulary exercise: A golden afternoon in Constable country. Next, we'll look at the paintings, because our preparation for a trip to Constable country would be incomplete without an understanding of John Constable's vision of the English countryside.

We can do this online, or we could go straight to London and study the works there. First stop is the Victoria and Albert Museum, which has the world's largest collection of Constable's paintings. After that, we'll take the Tube from South Kensington to Trafalgar Square, where the National Gallery contains such Constable masterpieces as The Cornfield and The Hay Wain. Our last stop is Tate Britain, on the north bank of the River Thames, not far from the Houses of Parliament. Three years ago, it presented "Constable: The Great Landscapes" and invited people to send in their Constable-inspired photos taken with their mobile phones.

Getting there

Constable Country is just an hour away from London by train. Take the National Express train from Liverpool Street Station and get off at Manningtree.

Staying there

The Granary in Flatford was built in 1740 and was once owned by John Constable's father. It has been lovingly restored. The former granary is now a charming bed and breakfast with just two rooms.

Maison Talbooth in Dedham has 12 rooms, and offers its guests an intimate country-house atmosphere. Afternoon tea includes a selection of sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream and homemade fruit cake.

Eating there

The Sun Inn is bright yellow outside and warm inside. The food is excellent. "Daily deliveries from farmers, fishermen and growers demands a daily changing menu prepared with care and with respect and with conviviality," says the website.

The Boathouse Restaurant specializes in local rainbow trout and local rib-eye steak. Rent a rowboat here and work up an appetite and a thirst on the River Stour before dinner.

Being there

Walking: Free, hour-long guided tours start at Flatford Bridge Cottage. The National Trust also arranges longer walks through the countryside that inspired Constable.

Cycling: Britain's oldest town, Colchester, is the starting point of the Constable country bike tour organized by Tyremark. Six days of winding roads, small villages and smaller pubs await the cyclists.