Heritage houses: Dedham

In a corner of Essex is Dedham, captured on canvas by John Constable. Roger Hunt describes the architectural skills that are integral to its period properties.

Stretching away from the suburban fringes of London, Essex is a county of contrasts where old and new sometimes jostle for attention. Away from the hubbub of the major conurbations the undulating rural landscape is punctuated by small market towns, villages and hamlets where, from medieval times, each successive generation has added their touch to the architectural vernacular.