'The valley retains a locally characteristic, rural landscape with a rich diversity of wildlife and habitats. In the AONB, key landscape features have been retained and Constable’s views are still largely apparent. The majority of the land in the valley is still farmed despite development pressures, and supports a viable and diverse agriculture with a mix of farm sizes ... The designated area of the AONB is just 90 kilometres square and stretches upstream from Manningtree to within one mile of Bures. The remainder of the Stour Valley landscape is mostly of as high a quality as that within the AONB designation, and representations to extend the AONB continue.'

'Leave your car behind and take in the countryside at the pace that Constable did himself. You can visit the locations Constable painted and the places he lived or just enjoy strolling though this fine example of an English lowland landscape.'

Flatford [National Trust]

'Walk from Station to Station with our useful guides ... The Gainsborough Line is the marketing name of the Sudbury Branch Line, a single track railway line running through the rural area between Sudbury and Marks Tey in England. Prior to the Beeching Axe the line, known as the Stour Valley Railway also served Cambridge, Long Melford, Clare and Haverhill.'

Dedham Vale AONB

'Welcome to the Meadow Walk [3.5 miles] the first section of the Gainsborough Trail, named after the famous painter Thomas Gainsborough, an approximate 12.4 miles continuous walkable route which will eventually encompass the whole of the Sudbury area, giving access to the best of the countryside in Sudbury, Great Cornard, Chilton and beyond.' ALERT Now Linking to a Website for the Gainsborough Trail itself.

'Designed ... to provide a lasting legacy for the 2012 Olympic Games. The route starts near the Hadleigh Mountain Bike Centre and makes a meandering route across some of the most beautiful parts of Essex to the White Water Centre near Waltham Abbey. From here the route heads south to Stratford and the main Olympic Stadium.' Alert The description of this Walk seems to have been removed from the Essex Area Website - although it is still listed in the 'Library' of the South East Essex Ramblers.

Ramblers - Essex Area

Hadleigh to Stratford Legacy Walk [GPS Cycle & Walking Routes]

'A self-guided walk from Lavenham to Long Melford - through woods and open fields - largely following the route of the old GER Lavenham to Long Melford railway line. The walk provides the opportunity to see wild flowers alongside birds and animal wildlife in their natural habitat. You start and finish in these two well-preserved medieval "wool" villages.'

Lavenham Guildhall

'Hartest is a beautiful village and there are some great walks in and around the vicinity. Why not drop in and see us before or after your walk?' ALERT At Review, I could not locate any Walks Descrptions on The Crown's Website; so I have changed the Link.

The Crown Hartest

'Hadleigh has been designated an Historic Town by The Council for British Archaeology and is included on a short list of 51 towns throughout the country considered to be of national importance. The town has a wealth of old buildings and a few hours spent exploring will prove fruitful for those interested.'

Hadleigh Town Council