Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

U3A Enjoyed Constable Country Tour

I recently led a private "Colchester and Constable Country" Tour for Watton U3A from Norfolk.

I met the coach at Thetford Station, having travelled by train from Leicester.

I took the group through such pleasant little towns as Long Melford, Sudbury and Halstead, before arriving at Colchester.

Once there, having given a broad outline of the history of this ancient town which is the oldest in Britain, I gave the group some time to have a little look round and a coffee.

Then it was on to Great Horkesley, where lunch had been arranged at the Rose and Crown.

From there, we moved into Constable Country, going first to East Bergholt, where the great painter John Constable was born. The group were able to visit the parish church and to see the most unusual cage which holds the church bells.

The final stop of the day was at Flatford on the River Stour. Constable`s father was the miller here, and a number of his best known paintings, including "The Haywain" were set here.

From there, we travelled on another pretty route, through Dedham, Hadleigh (Suffolk) and Lavenham, back to Thetford, where I left them to catch my train home.

Everybody enjoyed the trip. I will be delighted to arrange something similar for other groups.