Constable's Light

A barn conversion sitting within the grounds of a house painted by John Constable, this cottage in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty earns its place on any shortlist. Come summer, the heated pool – sheltered by mature trees and ringed with loungers – becomes the heart of the stay. When evenings arrive, the walled garden terrace comes into its own: pollarded lime trees overhead, a barbecue fired up, and no reason to be anywhere else. A welcome hamper from your host rounds things off on arrival.

Home truths:
* Due to this home's location, we recommend having a car to get the most out of your stay. There's free parking for up to three cars on the driveway.
* If you're travelling with young children, your host can provide a cot and high chair – be sure to request them before arrival.
* Please note, the pool has no fence or gate, and the Velux windows in the bedrooms can be reached from beds and chairs, so extra supervision will be needed if you're staying with young children.
* The twin beds in the second bedroom can be pushed together to make a king-size double – let your host know in advance if you'd prefer that setup.
* The swimming pool is only available for use between the beginning of May and the end of September.
* Your host occasionally needs to access the courtyard parking area to reach a separate part of the barn.