Flatford Mill, Historic watermill in East Bergholt, England
Flatford Mill is a watermill on the River Stour built around 1733 that includes the miller's cottage and related farm buildings arranged along the water's edge. The site sits in a flat countryside of grass fields and tree-lined banks where the river moves slowly through open landscape.
The mill was built in 1733 and operated as a grain-processing facility under the management of Constable's father during the early industrial period. It was later taken over by the National Trust and now serves as a field study center.
The mill and its riverside setting inspired John Constable during his formative years, and he repeatedly painted the landscapes he saw here. Today visitors walk through the same meadows and along the water that appear in his paintings.
The site is open to visitors and operated as a field study center by the Field Studies Council. Wear sturdy shoes and come prepared for muddy paths, as the grounds and surrounding fields can be wet underfoot, especially after rain.
Visitors can locate the exact spots where Constable stood to paint his most famous works by comparing the landscape with his paintings. This makes the site a special experience for anyone interested in the history of English landscape painting.
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