John Constable Painting, The White Horse, Then and Now

Like many of Constables paintings this iconic image is based on a view very near many of the others. The building on the left is Willy Lots cottage we have seen in the Hay Wain and several others, the channel from the left comes from the lock, and the central one is the route we see in the background of the extension of the rear passage from the The Hay Wain where the water that has powered the mill re-enters the river. On this side of the river is a clear path that horses can use, it also appears to be a fording point across the river.

Constable really liked this picture and borrowed it back, having sold it, many times, putting it in various exhibitions. It is one of my favourite paintings.

Today its all completely overgrown, weeds, unmanaged trees and without having studied aerial photos and worked out where to stand you would not have a chance of getting to the same position. Given that this is one of Britons tourist attractions that many want to come and see you may be surprised to find the view toady is so polluted with weeds and overgrown trees, to the point that you cannot see it any more.

The view today -  weeds and too many trees.

Move a little further down river, (to the left) you can see up the channel to the house and see the house, just.

looking back towards the bridge

The channel to the house goes between the large tree in the centre and the two smaller trees to the right, and the ford somewhere around the right of the two smaller trees.

From the aerial photo and map you can see the remains of the track shown in the photo directly ahead over the ford, this comes down towards the river and then takes a 90 degree turn at grid reference TM077331, running behind buildings and car park to a junction by Willy Lotts house. This track now just goes into a field but if you project it forward it would join up with another track that is pointing towards it at the opposite side of the field, before turning to follow the edge of the field. Beyond this it joins up with a maze of grass lanes.

Location: John Constable Painting, The White Horse, nr Flatford, Suffolk Grid Reference: TM077330 Ceremonial County: Suffolk Map Link: Multimap Aerial photo: Multimap    Google Getting there: See Flatford Mill Access: Cross the bridge, go past the lock, mill and follow the track a short distance, but not far, you are looking to go as far past the mill as The Hay Wain   scene and angled back channel. It may be worth visiting The Hay Wain   scene first as this can be seen far easier. Website: Other Useful Websites: Email: Address: Postcode: Telephone: Opening Times: Always open Charges: No charges Nearby Locations: Other Location Pages: Then and Now Locations     John Constable Painting Locations     John Constables Painting Locations Then and Now   Flatford Mill Other Relevant Pages: Then and Now Photography Notes:

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By: Keith Park	Section: Photography Section	Key:
Page Ref: Constable_The_White_Horse	Topic: Comparative Photography	Last Updated: 08/2010

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