Ancient Archaeology and a Visit to Constable Country

After a leisurely breakfast, jump back in the car and drive to Sutton Hoo across the other side of the River Deben. This world-renowned archaeological site is famed for the ship burial that was discovered here in 1939. It's believed to be the final resting place of a prominent Anglo-Saxon king, and you can walk around the burial ground and see it from above at the viewing tower. There are sculpture trails to explore, and in the exhibition hall you'll find replicas of helmets and treasure found here on the estate.
Visit the Sutton Hoo website for more information.
Open Hours: April - October Estate Walks: Daily from 10:00 - 17:00 Viewing Tower: Daily from 10:00 - 16:00 Exhibition Hall: Daily from 10:30 - 16:30 November - March Estate Walks: Daily from 10:00 - 16:00 Viewing Tower: Daily from 10:00 - 16:00 Exhibition Hall: Closed except at weekends (10:30 - 15:30)

Your next stop is the charming backwater of Flatford down in Deadham Vale.
Parking is available on site and is free for National Trust members.

Flatford is hidden away in the stunning Dedham Vale Area of Natural Beauty on the Suffolk-Essex border. This is where landscape artist John Constable painted the famous "Hay Wain", which is now hanging on the walls of the National Gallery in London. Walk down to the river and follow in Constable's footsteps over the bridge and beside the Grade I Listed Flatford Mill. See if you can figure out the spot where Constable did his painting! Don't miss the exhibition on Constable in Bridge Cottage, which gives an insight into the painter's life and work.
For more information, visit the official website.
Open Hours: April - October: Daily 10:00 - 16:00 November - March: Weekends from 10:00 - 15:00

Enjoy lunch with views of the River Stour at the Flatford tearooms. Light bites, homemade cakes, and cream teas are all on the cards. You can dine out on the terrace if it's a sunny day.
Visit the tearoom website for further details.
Open Hours: April - October Daily: 10:00 - 16:00 November - March Wednesday - Sunday: 10:00 - 15:00

Return to your car and continue your journey into Essex.

Enjoy a scenic drive through leafy Deadham Vale to St. Stephen's Chapel in the village of Bures. This was once the private chapel of the local manor and dates to 1218. After being abandoned it was turned into a plague hospital in 1739, before being converted into a barn. Inside you can admire the high-vaulted ceiling and wooden roof beams and feel like you've stepped back in time.
The chapel is usually open during daylight hours and is free to visit. Parking is available on site along the gravel drive.

From the chapel you'll also have prime views of the famous Bures Dragon. This colossal chalk drawing is etched into a nearby hillside, paying homage to a local legend about a knight slaying a dragon back in the Middle Ages. Apparently 100 tons of chalk were used to create the dragon, and the outline is half a mile long!

Break up your return journey to London with dinner at The Rainbow and Dove in Hastingwood. Serving up tasty home-cooked food inspired by the Essex countryside, this rural pub is popular with visitors and locals alike. It has a long history and even got a mention in the Doomesday Book. Inside you'll be dining alongside wooden beams and brick floors, just like travellers used to do back in the day.
View the menu and reserve a table on the Rainbow and Dove website or call 01279 415419.
Evening Dining Hours: Wednesday - Saturday: 18:00 - 21:00
If you are visiting between Sunday and Tuesday, the Horns and Horseshoes is open all week. It's just down the road from The Rainbow and Dove.

Arrive back in London after an epic three days of sightseeing in the rural southeast. Stay the night to recover from your journey and start planning your next adventure.