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You will come into the village on Weathersfield Rd.
Turn r. at the T intersection on to Prayors Hill.
At the T i/s with Swan St turn r. following a sign “Braintree A1017 / Halstead / (A1124).
Expert navigator checkpoint: The old half-timbered building “The Sugar Loaves” will be on your
left at that corner.
If you would like to visit a castle that looks for all the world like a classic kid’s sandcastle, if they
are open, go to Hedingham Castle just to the north of the village. Pick up the makings of a picnic
lunch in the village and enjoy dining al fresco in the castle grounds. Go on . . . they encourage it.
Follow the brown and white signs from the village. Check for opening days first.
Pass through the village and on the outskirts bear l. on to Halstead Rd following a sign “Halstead /
Colchester / A1124”.
The countryside you are driving through now is the wooded landscape that inspired painters such
as Thomas Gainsborough when he finally tired of painting portraits, and, of course, John
Constable, whose paintings of this area are famous.
3.9 mi 51.9452, 0.6390 Halstead
In the centre of the village turn l. on to High St. St Andrews church is prominent on your r. as you
make that turn. About 200m later bear r. at the small flush r/bout on to Colchester Rd the A1124.
Expert navigator tip: You will make the right hand turn at the far end of the church grounds.
3.2 mi 51.9278, 0.6999 Earls Colne
On the far side of the village bear l. on to Upper Holt St (A1124) following signs “Colchester
A1124” and “Wakes Colne / Pebmarsh”
2.7 mi 51.9228 / 0.7554 Wakes Colne
Local attraction: The East Anglian Railway Museum
Continue on the A1124 until you come to the A12.
4.3 mi 51.8910, 0.8283 At the roundabout take the first left, the on ramp north on to the A12.
Stay on the A12 following signs to Ipswich.
9.5 mi 51.9705, 0.9812 Leave the motorway following signs “Stratford St Mary 1 1/2 / Dedham 2 /
Higham 2/12″.
At the t i/s turn r. on to Dedham Rd, the B1029.
Follow the B1029 into Dedham.
1.4 mi 51.9589, 0.9934 Dedham.
As you come into Dedham you’ll cross over the River Stour. Immediately over that bridge, on the
left, is the Boathouse Restaurant and down there you can hire boats to go boating on the river.
