About

Accessible from Manningtree Station  are two lovely walks to Lawford and Flatford. The first is to Lawford Church, the Church stands on Church Hill Lawford Essex and is a designated Grade 1 listed building. A second is a simply fantastic walk through the Dedham Vale area of outstanding beauty on the Essex - Suffolk border, birthplace of John Constable Landscape Painter and setting for his paintings, such as The Hay Wain.

For both walks leave Manningtree Station and to your right you will see a downward slope into the station carpark. Walk down the slope at the bottom turn left and you will see an exit to a tarmacked path beside the brown metal barrier. Turn right for both walks and you will see a public footpath sign saying left to Lawford Church and straight on to Flatford and Dedham.

Walk 1 Lawford Church

Follow the footpath which goes up a slight hill to Lawford Church (St Mary’s) There are beautiful views across the countryside which are spectacular on the way back and you can see the River Stour in the distance

Walk 2 – Flatford Mill

1. Follow the footpath that is signposted to Flatford and Dedham, the first ten minutes is on a tarmac path with the railway on your right. 

2. At the end of the path turn right under the railway bridge. Follow the footpath and you have stunning views of fields and livestock.

3. On the right you will see the river meandering alongside you. The path bears left and you will come to another signpost Flatford/Dedham left – Cattawade right. Follow the sign to Flatford looking out for birds and wildlife until you come to a signpost saying Permissive Footpath Flatford rightand public footpath Dedham straight on. Follow the Permissive sign to Flatford – After five minutes you will see a National Trust sign on your left as you walk through a metal gate – continue straight to Flatford. 

4. As you approach Flatford the river will be on your right and you will hear the water flowing and see the ducks, geese and swans. You will seeFlatford Mill Lock and may also see wild water swimmers and people canoeing or rowing boats. Also on your right you will see the thatched roof of Willy Lott’s House as well as the tea rooms with outside seating. 

5. Walk across the bridge and turn right and you will see Bridge Cottage, a 16th-century thatched timber frame National Trust property and a Grade II listed building. Bridge Cottage is depicted in John Constable paintings.

6. Next door are the tea rooms and shop. Carry on walking past the shop, and you will see Willy Lott’s House on your right which is most famous for being depicted in Constable’s “The Hay Wain” painting. Next is the Granary building which is now a field studies centre and Valley farm is on your left. Then walk past Flatford Mill which is an imposing red-brick, Grade I listed building that appeared in a number of John Constable’s paintings. Continue for two minutes and you will see a Flatford information board with additional walks and information. 

7. When you walk back to the bridge continue on and there are public toilets on your right, a Constable exhibition as well as a RSPB wildlife garden which is well worth a visit.