You know the scenario - it’s about to tip it down and you’re wondering what to do next. Here are a few suggestions to brighten up a rainy day:

Where? Castle House, Dedham

Why? Sir Alfred Munnings lived here for around 40 years and the property has been turned into an art museum as a memorial to the great painter. Castle House is unique in offering visitors an opportunity to observe its interior more or less as Munnings left it. There are normally around 200 of his original paintings on display as well as a chance to see inside the artist’s garden studio.

Website for further info: www.siralfredmunnings.co.uk

And a spot of lunch…Try the tea rooms in Dedham Art & Craft Centre on Dedham High Street.

Where? Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Dedham

Why? Built in the 15th century, Dedham Church was one of the last great ‘wool’ churches of East Anglia to be completed. Recognisable from its inclusion in many of Constable’s paintings, it is a magnet for visitors and has a South chapel set aside for prayer. The church contains John Constable’s original painting of The Ascension, commissioned in 1821 as an altarpiece for St Michael’s Church, Manningtree.

Websites for further info: www.friendsofdedhamchurch.org.uk and www.dedham-parishchurch.org.uk

And a spot of lunch…Cross the road and settle yourself into the quintessentially English surroundings of the Essex Rose Tea House, or for a good pub lunch try the The Sun Inn.

Where? Bridge Cottage, Flatford

Why? You’ll honestly feel like you’ve stepped back in time, through the frame of one of Constable’s famous paintings. This delightful National Trust owned building houses a very interesting free exhibition about the painter’s life and local inspirations and there’s an adjacent shop brimming with a variety of National Trust goodies and other gifts of local interest.

Website for further info: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-flatfordbridg...

And a spot of lunch…It’s a quick dash from the shop to the tea room, where good fare awaits and when the sun does eventually come out you can enjoy exploring the rest of the hamlet.

Where? Melford Hall, Long Melford

Why? This National Trust romantic turreted brick Tudor mansion is positioned near the green in the unspoilt village of Long Melford and has been home to the Hyde-Parker family since 1786. Queen Elizabeth I was entertained here in 1578 and Beatrix Potter was a regular visitor. Take in the panelled Great Hall, Regency library, beautiful Chinese porcelain and Beatrix Potter display.

Website for further info: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-melfordhall

And a spot of lunch…Light refreshments are available in the Melford Hall’s tea room although we also love the Black Lion Hotel on the green at Long Melford.

Where? The Guildhall of Corpus Christi, Lavenham

Why? Externally striking owing to its wonderful timber frame, this National Trust property dominates Lavenham’s picturesque Market Place. Inside there is a local history museum and display covering 700 years of the area’s medieval woollen cloth trade. Other attractions include a loom in working order, dressing up boxes for the kiddies and shop.

Website for further info: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-lavenham

And a spot of lunch…The adjacent tearoom is very pleasant, serves good food and allows yet more time to soak up the ambience of this impressive building.

Where? Gainsborough’s House, Sudbury

Why? This is your chance to visit the birthplace of one of England’s greatest painters, born in 1727. Gainsborough’s House shows more of the artist’s work than any other museum in the world and has a lively acquisition policy. As well as the fine paintings, drawings and etchings on display there is a programme of temporary exhibitions and an open-access Printmaking Studio.

Website for further info: www.gainsborough.org

And a spot of lunch...Light refreshments are available in the property’s tea shop but not lunch. However numerous food venues can be found nearby, such as Courtyard Café and Bentley’s Café Restaurant.