Acorn Cottage

Have a hike, a hack or a pedal around Dedham and Dedham Vale – aka Constable Country – and you’ll very soon see why he was inspired to paint so many pictures of it. National Trust-owned Flatford Mill is also well worth a trip out to: take a look around the 18th-century mill and its adjoining cottage, and if you’re feeling energetic, you can also follow it up with the four-mile guided ramble that runs from here. Fishing fans can head over to the 120-acre Ardleigh Reservoir to haul themselves good-sized common and mirror carp weighing up to 40lb, pike to over 25lb and a mix of other fishy specimens. Also at the reservoir is Ardleigh Sailing Club if you fancy hopping aboard a water-worthy vessel and taking to the waves. For a stint at the seaside, Clacton-on-Sea is about half an hour's drive away, or the cliff railway and lengthy pier of Southend-on-Sea are an hour down the road. Urban explorers can head over to Colchester, six miles from base, to wander around Castle Park and castle, or half an hour away in Ipswich you can hang out by the marina. For something active there instead, a swoosh down the town’s dry ski slope is highly recommended.