Willy Lott's Cottage

Willy Lott's Cottage is a timber-framed farmhouse dating from the 16th century with a plain tiled roof, red brick chimneys, and numerous small windows with leaded glass panes. The building retains its original character, showing the modest construction typical of rural dwellings from that period.

The building was constructed in the 16th century and gained its name from William Lott, a tenant farmer who lived there for most of his life in the early 1800s. John Constable painted it repeatedly, making it one of the most recognizable farmhouses in English art.

The cottage stands in the background of John Constable's 'The Hay Wain', one of England's most beloved landscape paintings, connecting this simple farm building to art history.

The Field Studies Council manages the property today and offers educational programs alongside visitor accommodation. The cottage sits in the quiet countryside around East Bergholt and is accessible by foot from the village.

The cottage was featured in the BBC program 'Fake or Fortune' in 2017, where experts examined its historical importance and artistic value. The investigation brought renewed attention to this modest farmhouse and its place in English cultural history.

Location: East Bergholt

Website: https://nationaltrust.org.uk/flatford/features/willy-lotts-house-at-flatford

GPS coordinates: 51.95830,1.02194

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:41