Choose your settings
Book your tickets now
24 April to 8 September
18.40 Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport...
Mondays to Fridays until 12 December
06.28 Monday to Friday LIVERPOOL STREET to...
Mondays to Fridays until 12 December
The National Express East Anglia Network
Tuesday 1 July to Thursday 31 July
Home > Leisure Offers > Tourism trails > Gainsborough Line
Take a rural journey through landscapes that inspired great artists. Dare to look down as the train passes over the mighty Chappel Viaduct, then travel past ancient water meadows to Gainsborough's birthplace at Sudbury.
Take the train from Marks Tey to Sudbury through the Stour Valley and you could be forgiven for thinking you have travelled back in time straight into one of Constable's landscapes. You'll understand why he was inspired. The same area inspired Thomas Gainsborough too, and you can see his paintings in the Georgian townhouse which was his birthplace at Sudbury. But before you get there, relax and enjoy leafy railway cuttings, the dramatic 32-arch Chappel viaduct and the fascinating East Anglian Railway Museum at Chappel station - a busy county junction in Victorian times and a must for rail enthusiasts.
The ancient market town is on the banks of the River Stour, and is surrounded by water meadows and attractive walks. The town was mentioned in the Domesday Survey of 1086, and thrived on the textile industry, firstly with wool, then silk. The artist Thomas Gainsborough was born here in 1727 and his statue stands on the Market Place, overlooked by the 15th century church. Visit his birthplace, the elegant Georgian townhouse displaying more of his work than any other gallery.
The present day Gainsborough Line begins at Marks Tey, although this was only part way on the original route which was opened in 1849 to take farm and loom produce from Sudbury to the London markets.
The two villages of Chappel and Wakes Colne lie on opposite sides of the river Colne. Chappel station was a busy county junction in Victorian times and is now home to the East Anglian Railway Museum with its large collection of working and static railway exhibits from the age of steam. Crossing the Colne Valley at Chappel was the greatest obstacle in the construction of this line, and you cannot fail to be impressed by the brick-built viaduct, completed in 1849, with 32 arches stretching 1066 feet across the valley.
Leaving the Colne Valley the train crosses higher ground for Bures and the River Stour. The village is a short walk down the hill where you will have a clear view of the maltings. Walk on to Maltings Close and you come to the former brickyard. The moonscape configuration indicates where the brick earth was removed.
This is a superb area for cycling. For cycle route ideas please visit www.sustrans.org.uk
Here are some suggestions for walks in the Stour Valley. We suggest you use Ordnance Survey maps to find the footpaths and bridleways.
Explore the small rural communities scattered across the high plateau of North East Essex and enjoy sweeping views across the valley of the River Colne before passing underneath the imposing Chappel Viaduct. End your walk at the beautifully restored Chappel Station, home of the East Anglian Railway Museum.
Walk through the water meadows of the River Colne before climbing through ancient woodland and fruit farms to the wide expanse of the Essex uplands.
Explore the rolling countryside bordering the western side of the River Stour Valley and enjoy sweeping views of the landscape which inspired both Gainsborough and Constable.
Follow the heights of the eastern side of the River Stour through unspoilt countryside. Cross to the western ridge for a few miles and explore the picturesque hamlet of Middleton before reaching Sudbury via the beautiful ancient water meadows.
Pick up a copy of the Ale Trail from your local station for some great ideas for places to stop for a pint or a tasty lunch. All the suggested country or town inns are just a short walk or bus ride from train stations along the route.
