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"I associate my careless boyhood with all that lies on the banks of the Stour. Those scenes made me a painter" - John Constable.
Discover why Dedham Vale is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and what makes the Stour valley special.
The Dedham Vale and Stour Valley embraces one of our most cherished landscapes. Picturesque villages, rolling farmland, rivers, meadows, ancient woodlands and a wide variety of local wildlife combine to create what many describe as the traditional English lowland landscape. The area has a rich history and has been the inspiration to many writers and artists. The Dedham Vale was immortalised by John Constable in his paintings over 200 years ago
"The Vale stands apart from other lowland river valleys because of its intricate mixture of features: The river Stour, valley slopes, scattered woodland, water meadows, hedgerows, tributary valleys, sunken rural lanes and beautiful villages. "
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