Tiny unspoiled Essex village home to 2,000 residents named among Britain’s best

A well-kept village in Essex home to just under 2,000 residents has been named as one of the best villages across Britain. The beautiful area of Dedham, which straddles the border of Essex and Suffolk, has been praised for it’s “picturesque” countryside and avoidance of tourist crowds.

According to The Telegraph, is among the best village places to live and visit. Whilst only a small community of people live there, the area is home to a number of stunning homes – including by John Constable and Alfred Munnings.

Dedham, just outside Colchester, is no stranger to receiving accolades having been named one of the UK’s best village by Which? in 2021.

Praising the village, the article says: “The Dedham Boatyard serves seafood and local ales on a terrace overlooking the water, where cows cool off in summer. The Georgian high street has the pale-pink Essex Rose 16th-century tea room and the canary-yellow Sun Inn, a superb pub with rooms.

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“There’s also a museum dedicated to the painter and hippophile Alfred Munnings; they hold painting days in summer, with life models both human and equine.”

If that is enough to attract you towards planning a visit, then The Sun Inn doubles as a brilliant place to stay and fill your stomach. It costs around £175 for two people to stay overnight at the 15th-century watering hole, but it’s certainly value for money with your stay to be in one of seven gorgeous rooms.

The main courses at The Sun Inn match what you might expect from the cost of the hotel rooms, with dishes such as Rack of Lamb, Caper & Honey, Yoghurt, Spiced Chickpeas, Baby Carrot (£27), Chicken & Smoked Ham Hock Pie, Parsley Sauce, Colcannon (£22.50) and Tagliatelle, Peas, Mint, Asparagus, Rocket, Crème Fraiche, Walnut, Winchester Cheese (£15).

Dedham has the typical village feel to it so there are no major shopping centres or tourist attractions, but instead you can enjoy a large meal before picking up your wet-suit, boat and oar to head for a row down the River Stour. If you’d rather stay on solid ground, there are also miles of countryside to explore by bike or foot.

This little village is perfect for a wander as it has plenty of hidden gems, such as the old Assembly Rooms, the churchyard, the Duchy playing fields and the Shakespeare House Gallery. You’ll get serious house envy walking around looking at all the stunning homes and there are plenty with beautiful facades covered in wisteria or creeper ivy.

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