2025 season: Dates TBC
Trusty, Kathleen and Maria Constable operate on the eight mile stretch between Stratford St Mary, Dedham, Flatofrd and Cattawade.
Our boats are crewed by fully trained volunteers and are available for scheduled trips and private charters. Proceeds go towards the charitable aims and objectives of the River Stour Trust.
We also offer boat trips on the three mile stretch at Sudbury aboard our boats Rosette, Francis J Batten, Edwardian Lady and the John Constable Lighter. Click here for more information.
Visit River Stour Trust – Day Tours on Trip Advisor to read the reviews and/or leave your own comments.
SCHEDULED TRIPS AT FLATFORD
| DAYS | TRIP | DURATION | DEPART TIME | TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refer to monthly timetable (below) | Flatford Half Hour | 30 mins | 11am-4pm | Walk on |
| Sundays | Talbooth Diners | 30 mins – 1 hour | 2pm-4pm | Pre-book |
- BOARDING LOCATION
- Landing stage opposite Bridge Cottage, CO7 6UL
- What3Words: ///cats.massaging.cones
- Click here for link to Google maps
Our boats are crewed by fully trained volunteers who donate their time, energy and skills to share their enjoyment of the River Stour Navigation. We publish monthly timetables and intend for trips to be running on expected days. We apologise for any disappointment when trips are not possible for any reason.
Fares
| Passenger Types & Fares | Count towards boat capacity | Short Trips |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (12 years+) | Yes | £6.00 |
| Child (5-11 years) | Yes | £3.00 |
| Infant (1-4 years) | Yes | No charge |
| Baby (under 12 months) | No | No charge |
| Dog | No | £1.00 |
SUNDAYS AFTERNOON KATHLEEN CHARTERS
Trip details: Diners at Talbooth Restaurant can pre-arrange a cruise aboard Kathleen for £100 (up to 1 hour). Charters are subject to crew availability. Please give as much notice as possible so we can try and organise a crew (see charter number below).
- Half hour return trip upstream to Stratford St Mary Mill Pond
- Half hour return trip downstream to Dedham Mill Pond.
- Hour return trip both downstream and upstream between Dedham and Stratford.
Boarding Location:
- Landing stage at Le Talbooth, CO7 6HP
- What3Words: ///wheels.shipyards.decking
- Click here for link to Google maps
PRIVATE CHARTERS
Charter Enquiries: 0844 800 5017*
Please note: The 0844 numbers are often connected to personal home telephones of a River Stour Trust volunteer. 0844/45 numbers cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. Example: BT standard call charge 23p pence per minute. Mobile charges can be considerably more.
Our charters offer breathtaking journeys through Constable Country and the Dedham Vale. The charter charge is dependent on your requirements and the distance to travel between locations. There are various options for refreshments or meals in Dedham and Flatford/East Bergholt.
We operate three environmentally-friendly, electric powered trip boats along the lower Stour between Stratford St Mary, Dedham, Flatford and Cattawade. Trusty, Maria Constable and Kathleen can each potentially accommodate up to 9 passengers.
MAKE YOUR VISIT EVEN MORE MEMORABLE BY VISITING OUR RECOMMENDED PLACES TO VISIT…
Flatford is great walking countryside so you can take the family out, walk the dog or simply step back in time and absorb the places Constable knew and loved. There is also plenty of parking in the National Trust car park at Flatford (fee payable, free for NT members).
A visit to the National Trust’s Bridge Cottage shouldn’t be missed. Take a look at an exhibition about Constable and enjoy the riverside Tearoom.
The RSPB Garden is one third of a hectare, so there are no long walks. There are several benches in the garden and visitors are welcome to use for picnics.
The Boatyard Dedham seasonal snacks, platters and drinks on the banks of the River Stour.
Talbooth Restaurant is another riverside restaurant that has been run by the Milsom family since 1952. It is available for private functions including weddings.