Flatford Mill and The Suffolk Food Hall | Dallaswear
Posted by Callum McCrimmon on 1st Jan 1970
Flatford Mill and Suffolk Food Hall
Flatford Mill is undoubtedly most well known for its association with the painter John Constable. Indeed, the area around Flatford, where many of his paintings drew their inspiration is known as Constable Country. Situated in East Bergholt it’s a lovely place for a day out. Now owned by the National Trust, but once owned by Constable’s Father, Flatford Mill itself is a Grade I listed watermill. A date stone at the mill indicates that it was built in 1733. Alongside the mill sits the miller’s cottage which was built in the 17th century. The mill and the miller’s cottage have remained amazingly unchanged and are still recognisable today from Constable’s world-famous paintings. Many tourists visit the area to try to find the locations depicted in Constable’s well-known pieces of work.
The mill sits on the banks of the river Stour in Dedham Vale, a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We have visited many times in the past and have always had a lovely time. Although it can be very busy during the summer there always seemed to be the possibility to get away from the crowds. I suppose most visitors tend to stay close to the mill and the tearooms. We found a walk along the river most enjoyable with plenty of ducks to feed and the opportunity to see an abundance of wildlife along the way. On more than one occasion we were very fortunate to see weasels dashing to and fro, and at close quarters too. That was a great experience.
Another wildlife experience we had at Flatford Mill was something we feel we were really lucky to see, a cuckoo dislodging an egg from a reed bunting’s nest in order to lay its own egg. It’s the kind of thing you would normally see on wildlife documentaries, so to see it in real life was amazing! Thank goodness we had our binoculars with us on that magical day!
When we visited last, it was long before the days of COVID-19 and lockdown, there was a very nice restaurant with seating outside and the opportunity to hire a boat to row along the river. This was always a very popular activity when we visited, and very enjoyable. It’s a great way to see the countryside from a different aspect. There would be cows along the river bank taking a drink from the river and the possibility of seeing an otter was always an attractive opportunity not to be missed.
One of our favourite features of Flatford Mill is the little wooden bridge that takes you over the river. From here you can stand and watch the water flow past along with the ducks and swans.
Flatford Mill is open to people who live locally but closed to those who live further afield due to COVID-19. The shop and tearoom remain closed. Please refer to the National Trust website before visiting to check up to date restrictions. I will add these details to the end of this piece for anybody who may be interested in visiting when restrictions are lifted.
A twenty-five-minute drive away from Flatford Mill, via the A137, is the Suffolk Food Hall. Whenever we visited Flatford Mill, we always tried to call in at the Suffolk Food Hall. It was a great way to complete a day out. The award-winning farm shop and restaurant is well worth a visit with something to delight every palate. There is a carcass to customer butchery, a bakery, a delicatessen, a fishmonger, a wine and beer merchant to name but a few of the services on offer. Much of the food available is produced locally. The bakers in the bakery department actually work in front of you during the day so you can see, and smell, just how fresh the product is.
Our favourite section was the delicatessen, there’s just so much to chose from! Gorgeous cheeses, quiches, stuffed peppers, sundried tomatoes, scotch eggs, the list really just goes on and on!
Situated below the Orwell Bridge, there are lovely views across the river and surrounding countryside. The perfect setting to enjoy a cup of coffee and something delicious from the café in the food hall. For the summer months there is also a gelato hut! If the views from the seating area outside the food hall are good, you can imagine the stunning panoramic views of the Orwell Estuary, from the Cookhouse Restaurant situated on the first floor.
Returning to the ground floor, there is a lovely home department where you can shop for stationery, ornaments, kitchenware, candles, dinnerware and unique gifts.
Outside there is a garden centre offering something for every garden, however big or small it may be. There are seasonal plants, pots of all shapes and sizes, bird boxes and garden ornaments.
With so much to see and such fine quality products on offer, who wouldn’t enjoy a visit to the Suffolk Food Hall?
The purpose of our blog is to share with you some of our favourite places to visit and the experiences we have had there. COVID-19 restrictions are still in force and must be adhered to. Please refer to the relevant websites for up-to-date information regarding restrictions.
Flatford Mill
East Bergholt
Colchester CO7 6UL
National Trust Flatford Mill website:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/flatford
Suffolk Food Hall
Wherstead
Ipswich
IP9 2AB
