The gentle rural landscapes of Essex, sprinkled with rivers and lit by constantly changing East Anglian skies, have inspired generations of artists. Most famous is John Constable - in fact the area around Flatford was known as Constable Country even during the artists' lifetime. Today, the artistic tradition continues, as heralded by Harlow's treasure trove of public sculptural art and the wealth of contemporary talent in hotspots such as Great Bardfield, Wivenhoe and Leigh-on-Sea. This, combined with innovative display spaces such as Naze Tower and Colchester's sensational new arts venue, firstsite, make Essex a truly memorable place to soak up centuries of our country's art heritage.
Sir Alfred Munnings Art Museum
Best known for his equestrian portraits, Sir Alfred Munnings lived in this large country house for 40 years. It has now been restored and contains a superb collection of his paintings, including many of the rural scenes he loved, together with regular loans of other artists' work.
Beecroft Art Gallery
Set on the seafront, the Beecroft houses an eclectic collection comprising some 2,000 works, from fine old European Masters and paintings by Constable and Rossetti to contemporary British works by Seago, Frank Brangwyn and David Cox. The gallery hosts a regular programme of exhibitions including the prestigious Essex Open.
Constable Country
The hamlet of Flatford is famous as the location for many of John Constable's best-known paintings. 16th-century Bridge Cottage houses an exhibition about the painter. From here you can walk along the towpath to the painter's birthplace at Flatford Mill and Willy Lott's Cottage (which featured in the Hay-Wain). Boats are also available for hire.
Gibberd Garden & Harlow Sculpture Trail
Designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd in the 1950s, Harlow pioneered the practice of sculpture in the living environment. Today it is home to an extensive collection including works by Moore, Hepworth, Frink and over forty others, as well as Gibberd's own highly individual garden, recognised as an important contribution to 20th-century garden design.
firstsite
Opening soon, this stunning new cultural attraction will add a 21st century dimension to Colchester's wealth of architectural gems. Set in parkland sweeping down to the Roman wall, the site will feature a vibrant programme of exhibitions, workshops, lectures and films and includes a 200-seat auditorium, café and shop selling work by local artists.
Fry Art Gallery
This unique collection features the work of a group of artists, lead by Edward Bawden, who founded an artists' colony in Great Bardfield in the mid 20th century. Works by Michael Rothenstein, John Aldridge and Bernard Cheese are included as well as significant contemporary works, underlining the area's continuing artistic tradition.
Naze Tower
Situated on the scenic Naze headland, this octagonal landmark, once a shipping beacon, is today a thriving art gallery, representing a unique marriage of history and contemporary art. There's also a museum as well as tea rooms, where you can refresh your palate surrounded by artworks, and a rooftop platform offering panoramic views.
Wivenhoe artists colony
A long line of artists and writers have taken inspiration from this unpretentious fishing town with its quaint streets and pretty quayside. They include James Dodds, famous for his linocuts, his father, watercolourist Andrew Dodds, contemporary poet Martin Newell and Ernie Turner, dubbed Wivenhoe's Alfred Wallis, as well as many others who exhibit regularly in the town's galleries.
