The Essex walk that ends at a pub great for a cosy Sunday roast that's perfect for the bank holiday weekend

Essex is a county chock-full of great walks and cosy country pubs. There is no shortage of routes that take you through the fantastic scenery and end at a warm watering hole where you can fill your belly with hearty food. One such walk is guaranteed to show you some of the best sights this county has to offer.

It takes you from the village of Dedham to Flatford Mill and back, rounding off at one of the best pubs in the county: the Sun Inn. The circular route is about one and half miles and will suit walkers of most abilities, taking place on a series of fairly flat footpaths. It covers parts of the River Stour and Dedham Vale, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and home to diverse wildlife.



Read more: Huge crowd expected to gather in Chelmsford for annual Good Friday gathering Read more: 'I visited the cosy Chelmsford café a haunt for celebs with brilliant breakfasts' The route begins at the car park in Dedham. From there you head north past Dedham Mill to Dedham Bridge on the River Stour. Here you follow the Stour Valley Path east to Flatford Mill.

The mill is where John Constable painted one of his most famous paintings, “Scene on a Navigable River”. Waterside footpaths can also take you to Willy Lott's Cottage, the location for Constable’s painting “The Hay Wain”. To return to Dedham, you must head south from the mill, crossing Dedham Old River before coming to Lower Barn Farm.

Here you turn west and follow countryside trails back to Dedham. The Sun Inn is on the village’s High Street and is in an old coaching inn dating back to the 15th century. As well as serving seasonal food and a range of drinks, it also has seven cosy rooms where you can get a good night’s sleep.

The food can be eaten in the pub or dining area, with a menu changing throughout the month with produce from Mersea day boats and meat from wild in-season game or rare breeds of animals. It also serves three different roasts on Sundays. Available to drink are a range of beers, wines, teas and coffees from various local suppliers.

Customers can drink these either inside or on the terrace or in the garden, where you can enjoy a game boules. For more information and a map of the walk go to the GPS Cycle and Walking Routes website ..