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.
Constable is synonymous with the Dedham Vale National Landscape, having been born in East Bergholt, attended school in Dedham, and immortalised Flatford in many of his most famous works. The area is commonly referred to as Constable Country.
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.
Constable's connection with the Dedham Vale
Unquestionably one of the world’s finest landscape painters, John Constable was born in East Bergholt and spent much of his time in the countryside near his home. It was here he developed a love of painting and drew inspiration from his beloved Suffolk and Essex landscapes, which sustained him creatively for the rest of his life.
His paintings of the Dedham Vale made him one of the most famous landscape artists of the 19th century. Constable’s first great success (which brought him recognition by the Royal Academy) was with A Boat Passing a Lock painted at Flatford. Other notable works include his depiction of Dedham Church and The Hay Wain, both reflecting rural scenes around the River Stour. In later years, he wrote nostalgically: "all those things that lie on the banks of the Stour, they made me a painter".
Today, in the Dedham Vale National Landscape, you can find a Constable painting (The Ascension) inside Dedham Church and more of his paintings are held in The National Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich.
The Mill Stream, John Constable c.1814. Oil painting, 71.1 x 91.5 cm. Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service: Ipswich Borough Council Collection. IPSMG:R.1941.72'
Golding Constable's Kitchen Garden, John Constable, July 1815. Oil painting, 33 x 50.8 cm. Colchester and Ipswich Museums Service: Ipswich Borough Council Collection. IPSMG:R.1955.96.2.
Follow in Constable's footsteps
The Constable Audio Trail from Discover Suffolk is a circular 4.5 mile walk through East Bergholt village, Dedham and Flatford.
Listen to the audio as you walk, making sure to pause to enjoy the wonderful views and sites as you walk in the footsteps of John Constable.
The route will take you along St Edmund Way on the riverbanks of the River Stour to Dedham Bridge, visiting Dedham church where you can stop and view The Ascension, one of only three religious paintings by Constable, and returning via Flatford Hamlet, the site of Flatford Mill, Willy Lott's House and Bridge Cottage.
Constable 250 Exhibitions
Ipswich will host a set of events and three exhibitions, presented by Colchester + Ipswich Museums as part of their Constable 250 programme. Constable 250 is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Thanks to National Lottery players, Colchester + Ipswich Museums are able to explore Constable’s art and legacy through 2026. The loans of artworks from national collections are supported by the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund.
Most excitingly, the highlight of the programme will be Constable’s masterpiece, The Hay Wain. It will be the first time the iconic painting, which depicts Willy Lotts House at Flatford, has ever visited Suffolk, giving local people the chance to see the work that made the area so popular and beloved by many around the world.
Taking place at Ipswich’s Christchurch Mansion between March 2026 – March 2027, the landmark exhibitions will be:
1. Constable: A Cast of Characters (28 March to 14 June 2026) – Introducing the Constable family and those who inspired and supported the artist. It will feature period costume and historical artefacts. New art will be on show from established sculptor, Sasha Constable, who is a direct descendant.
2. Constable: Walking the Landscape (11 July to 4 October 2026) – A celebration of Constable’s deep connection to the Suffolk countryside through the many walks he took across the Dedham Vale landscape. It will feature for the first time in Suffolk, The Hay Wain (National Gallery) and loans from National Galleries of Scotland, Tate, V&A, Royal Academy and private collections.
3. Constable to Contemporary (24 October 2026 to 28 February 2027) – A dynamic exhibition exploring artistic responses to Constable’s legacy from our community.
You can find out more and book tickets at ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk.