East Bergholt, John Constable. Courtesy of the Yale Center for British Art

In Our View – East Bergholt Celebrates Constable 250

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of world famous painter John Constable here in East Bergholt.

In Our View is a programme of village events to celebrate the views and landscapes that inspired the work of our most famous son. It will run alongside the Constable 250 exhibitions at Christchurch Mansion.

East Bergholt parish council was asked to co-ordinate village events in 2026 to avoid date clashes – so this dedicated page includes a 2026 planning calendar plus links to:

  • Free graphics, created by Clubb Creative, for anyone planning an event.
  • Information about the Constable 250 events, and events at Flatford (National Trust)
  • The East Berghold Society
  • An image of the East Bergholt Singers carved figures. For anyone thinking of a music event, these figures are thought to have been carved by a young John Constable to celebrate the best singers in the St Mary’s church choir. Please credit Colchester & Ipswich Museums: Ipswich Borough Council collection.

If you would like your event to be included in the calendar – please contact the Assistant Parish Clerk – Louise Smith – assistant.clerk@eastbergholtpc.co.uk We suggest contacting Louise even with unconfirmed dates.

Useful Links

Events Calendar

Please click on the month to view the events planned

 

 

 Saturday 21st March 3pm-

East Bergholt Cinema will be showing the Tate Britain ‘Exhibition on Screen: Turner & Constable’ at Constable Hall.

21st March-11th April, Constable 250 Exhibition, East Anglian Traditional Art Centre
48, High Street, Wickham Market, near Woodbridge, IP13 0QS.  Link below for more information:

 

Suffolk painters, Norfolk painters East Anglian Traditional Art Centre

28th March
First major exhibition in Ipswich (Constable: A Cast of Characters) opens – and runs to June 14

 

Tuesday 21st April 7pm (for 7.30pm start) , Constable Hall

First of two talks arranged by East Bergholt Society

Brian Lott – The Story of Willy Lott and his Family: Yeoman Farmers of Flatford

A richly illustrated talk exploring the Lott family of Flatford, whose lives and land famously feature in John Constable’s paintings, including Willy Lott’s Cottage and the internationally famous The Hay Wain.

Brian Lott, a direct descendant of the Lott family, brings together decades of original research into his Flatford ancestors and their close connection to Constable’s world.

📖 Brian has also written a highly regarded book about Willy Lott, which will be available to buy on the evening.

Tickets £5 www.wegottickets.com

 

25th April

Horticultural Society Quiz/Fish and Chip supper, Constable Hall

Saturday 9th May, Constable Hall

St Mary’s Church is organising a Constable themed quiz.  Details to follow.  Further information from stmarysebevents@gmail.com

Sunday 10th May 2026, 12 midday to 3pm- Family Garden Party

at Little Court, The Street, East Bergholt CO7 6TE 

Tickets £25 – accompanied children under 14 £10 (children under 5 free of charge)

Tickets in advance from:   Sara Eley  Tel:  0775 3435275 sara@placeforplants.co.uk or ebchurchpres@gmail.com

🖼️ Saturday 16th May, Constable Hall (second of two talks arranged by East Bergholt Society)

🕖 Doors open: 7.00pm | Talk starts: 7.30pm
🗣️  includes a one-hour talk, a short break, and a Q&A

Emma Roodhouse – Curating Constable
Our Society’s Honorary President, Emma Roodhouse, offers an inside look into the process of organising and launching a Lottery-funded national celebration marking Constable’s 250th birthday, together with the three important exhibitions she is curating this year at Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich, one of which sees the return of The Hay Wain to Suffolk.

Monday 25th May
Pram Race – Official start is the cricket club, Official end and afterparty is the dicky, Theme to be “Iconic Art”

 6th-7th June, Old Hall Constable celebrations.  TBC.

6th June, St Mary’s Church 7pm

Brass and Ivories concert.  Details to follow.

7th June

Painting in the Pub Garden- The Red Lion

  • Local artist Ginny Carter to host workshop
  • Painting of Constable’s Cottage in the Cornfield, miniature painting on canvas
  • Ticketed event
  • 4 hour workshop, including tea & coffee
  •  

7th – 14th June Constable Birthday Scarecrow Festival, contact assistant.clerk@eastbergholt pc.co.uk

7th-14th June Constable Hall events include Chorus Iceni concert and artist workshop

7th – 14th June Flower Festival in St Mary’s church

11th June
Anniversary of Constable’s birth.

11th June at 7pm, St Marys Church “Bubbles and Bells” ring Bubbles will be elderflower cordial with sparkling water (alcohol free) and sponsored by The Refill Shed with any donations to the church. 

13th June Chorus Iceni concert at Constable Hall

14th June Village summer fair

14th June  Red Lion guided Constable Country Walking Tour Tickets are £32 per person, link to website below for any further information.

https://www.theredlioneastbergholt.co.uk/constable-walking-tour

20th June East End Arts & Beer Festival

21st June Tim Pells early music concert at Church

27th June East Bergholt Primary School Summer Fair, from 1pm until 4pm. 

28th June- The Red Lion

Community Quiz

  • Last Sunday of the month, to include a Constable segment 

July and August
National Trust/Essex Cultural Diversity project – workshops

11th July- 7.30pm

Dedham Parish Church – Constable and the Countryside – an evening of music, talks and poetry on the legacy of Constable in promoting the value of the countryside.

Organised by Greener Dedham

Further information from d.bourn@ucl.ac.uk

11th July
Second major exhibition in Ipswich (Constable: Walking the Landscape – which will include The Hay Wain) opens and runs to 4 October

10-13th July
Plein air painting weekend at Flatford

18th July

Blues jazz concert, St Mary’s church

17th-23rd August
Mixed reality Unconventional Constable events at Constable Hall

5th September-
East Bergholt Horticultural Society Annual Show

3rd October-
Constable Trust talk at Constable Hall

24th October-
Third major exhibition in Ipswich (Constable to Contemporary) opens and runs to 28 February 2027