Flourishing with all the qualities of a quintessential British village, the small parish of Dedham is perfect for anyone wanting to escape London for the weekend.
Located within the historic city of Colchester in Essex, this ‘heavenly’ destination is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes England has to offer.
But it’s not just the ‘outstanding natural beauty’ that attracts visitors to the village – it’s the fact that Dedham supports a thriving local economy despite its small size.
Where so many parishes across the country have failed to keep their local stores open, Dedham boasts a busy post office, butcher, grocer, alongside a number of popular cafés and independent shops.
And with a visit from the Royals fresh under their belt, it’s certain that Dedham’s popularity will likely continue to grow.
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How do you get to Dedham?
If you’re travelling from London, the quickest way to get to Dedham is by car as there’s no train station in the village itself.
However, if you’re keen on sampling some local Essex ales, you do have options available to you.
While there’s no direct route, you can jump on a train from Liverpool Street Station to Manningtree, the closest station to the village.
From there, you can either take a local bus or taxi to Dedham which should take approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
Or, if you fancy taking in some of the sights across the Dedham Vale National Landscape, you can walk from Manningtree to the village. It should take you approximately an hour and a half but you’ll have the cows and scenery to keep you company.
A day in Dedham
Once you arrive in Dedham, you’re pretty spoilt for choice in terms of where to start your day.
But, if you are going to prioritise anything, locals and visitors alike have left sparkling reviews for The Essex Rose Tea Room.
Located on the corner of the high street, the 16th century tea room has parking immediately opposite the front door and has been lauded for it’s cream tea, cakes, and overall selection of treats.
One social media user, @bethmayneactress, who visited the hotspot, emphasised how refreshing it was to be in such a small local spot and still have her gluten intolerances catered for.
‘The staff were all so lovely, the atmosphere was cosy and warm and the food was a solid 10/10!’ she shared with her followers.
Dedham is known as the heart of ‘Constable Country’ because of the fact that artist John Constable lived there for most of his life.
A number of his paintings feature memorable spots around Dedham, including the River Stour and Dedham mill, which was owned by John’s father.
Because of this connection, art is lauded in the small parish.
The Dedham art & craft centre boasts three floors which showcase the work of more than 60 artisans and the inspired buying skills of specialist retailers.
And for history buffs, go for a wander through Stour Valley. There are lots of walking signs dotted around the village with circular routes for visitors and locals to take in the scenery.
The valley has long been of interest to archaeologists, with several digs having been undertaken in the area. Along these routes you’ll also come across a number of historic and picturesuqe churches.
For a bite to eat, Dedham has a number of pubs to choose from – including one that’s now officially hosted King Charles.
The Sun Inn sits right in the centre of the village and has become a hub for tourists wanting to glimpse into a chapter of history.
Dating back to the 15th century, the building has served patrons as both an inn and pub for hundreds of years.
And during the King and Queen’s recent visit to the village on February 5, the inn’s owner Piers Baker called it an ‘immense honour’ to host them.
The Royals had been visiting the parish to meet with invited groups from across the community to hear about their work and contributions to the region.
And before you head back to the city, why not post yourself a letter to commemorate your visit?
Having served residents for over 120 years, Dedham’s thriving post office remains to be one of the parish’s biggest successes.
With so many villages struggling to maintain a sense of local community, often being forced to close down important hubs and meeting points, Dedham definitely stands out as a special corner of England.