Visiting the Painters' Homes
Just 1.5km (1 mile) from the village center is the Sir Alfred Munnings Art Museum, East Lane (tel. 01206/322127; www.siralfredmunnings.co.uk), home of Sir Alfred Munnings, president of the Royal Academy from 1944 to 1949 and painter extraordinaire of racehorses and other animals. The house and studio, which have sketches and other works, are open from Easter Sunday to early October on Sunday, Wednesday, and bank holidays (plus Thurs and Sat during Aug) from 2 to 5pm. Admission is £3 ($6) for adults, £2 ($4) students and seniors, and 50p ($1) for children.
The English landscape painter John Constable (1776-1837) was born at East Bergholt, 3.2km (2 miles) northeast of Dedham. Near the village is Flatford Mill, East Bergholt (tel. 01206/298260), the subject of one of his most renowned works. The mill was given to the National Trust in 1943 and has since been leased to the Field Studies Council for use as a residential center. The center offers more than 170 short courses each year in all aspects of art and the environment. Fees are from £140 ($280) for a weekend and from £400 ($800) for a full week. The fee includes accommodations, meals, and tuition. For additional information, visit www.field-studies-council.org/flatfordmill or write to Field Studies Council, Flatford Mill Field Centre, East Bergholt, Colchester CO7 6UL.
