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Welcome to the Dedham Vale National Landscape
Welcome to National Landscapes – the new name for the UK’s designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Dedham Vale National Landscape sits along the Suffolk-Essex border and was designated in 1970 with the purpose of conserving and enhancing the habitats and biodiversity.
National Landscapes are the places where our stories come to life. The places that make us who we are. A living patchwork where outstanding beauty isn’t only found in nature, but in communities working together to grow and change and thrive.
Our mission is to protect and regenerate these special landscapes and to make sure everyone can enjoy them. Because there’s space for so many more stories to be told. The Dedham Vale National Landscape is cared for by a Partnership, a team, and the thousands of people who live in, work in and visit it.
New Management Plan for 2026-2031
We are delighted to launch our new statutory 2026-31 Management Plan for the Dedham Vale National Landscape & Stour Valley.
The plan is designed to influence decision making and should be used alongside local and national policy for this purpose.
It sets out a vision for the area which will be delivered by adhering to the principles set out in the plan by those taking decisions that will affect the area.
Constable 250
2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Suffolk born artist, John Constable (1776-1837), who went on to become one of the most important of all British painters and is synonymous with the Dedham Vale National Landscape.
To celebrate the 250th anniversary, there will be a series of events and activities organised by various stakeholders, including the National Landscape team, Colchester + Ipswich Museums, the National Trust and East Bergholt Parish Council.
Wilder Together is a partnership project that has been created between the Suffolk and Essex Wildlife Trusts, RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden and the National Landscape and Stour Valley team.
The partnership has been established to support parish and town councils to work with their communities to create wildlife friendly villages and towns in the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley.