There are few places in Britain more picturesque than Constable Country in Suffolk. Set within Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty just two hours from London and the Midlands, this rural landscape was where the painter John Constable was born, and where he painted his most celebrated works.

John Constable was born in 1776 in East Bergholt, a village on the River Stour in Suffolk. Throughout his he felt great affection for the Suffolk landscape and the villages surrounding his home, telling a friend: “I should paint my own places best; painting with me is but another word for feeling.”

Of all the paintings by John Constable, perhaps the most famous is The Haywain. It depicts a horse and cart crossing the River Stour, a white cottage visible on the left bank.

The place in the painting is Flatford, and like so much of Constable Country, it remains unchanged to this day: you can still explore the white cottage (which belonged to Constable’s neighbour, Willy Lott); Flatford Mill, which was owned by the Constable family; and Bridge Cottage, which houses a John Constable exhibition.

Bury St Edmunds is a historic jewel in Suffolk’s crown that over the millennia it has seen tragedy, drama and greatness in equal measure. As such Bury St Edmunds’ architecture reads like a 3D map of the past, and among the old, you’ll find the new: independent shops, eateries, art galleries and more.

Bury St Edmunds’ most famous landmarks are its impressive abbey ruins and their adjoining gardens. Once a great monastery, the abbey was built around a shrine to Saint Edmund, which for centuries was a point of pilgrimage for peasants, kings, and everyone in between.

This is also a great place for beer drinkers; just a stone’s throw from Bury St Edmunds Abbey is the Greene King Brewery, where you can discover the secrets of the brewing process on a guided tour. There’s also the Old Cannon microbrewery to visit, and plenty of pubs, including The Nutshell, which at 15ft by 7ft is one of the smallest pubs in Britain!

Being a country market town, Bury in St Edmunds lives up to its name of market town. It hosts twice-weekly markets, has an enviable selection of boutique shops, along with plenty of cosy restaurants, cafes and enticing delis all found in the town centre. Frankly, there’s so much to see, do, eat and drink in Bury St Edmunds, you’ll need more than one visit to fit it all in.

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A Suffolk Scenic Coastal Drive offers a delightful journey through some of England's most charming seaside towns and breathtaking landscapes. Begin in the historic market town of Aldeburgh, renowned for its pebble beach, fresh seafood, and artistic heritage, including a statue dedicated to composer Benjamin Britten. Stroll along the shore, visit the iconic Scallop sculpture, and explore the vibrant shops and galleries.

Next, continue north via Thorpeness, a picturesque village known for its boating lake and quirky architecture to Southwold, a quintessential British seaside town with colourful beach huts, a traditional pier, and the famous Adnams Brewery. Southwold’s sandy beach and historic lighthouse offer the perfect setting to relax and take in the coastal views. This scenic drive encapsulates Suffolk's tranquil beauty and timeless charm.