The Sun Inn, Dedham: Free Essex Festival

Summer means festival season is upon us. Head to deepest Constable Country next month where the Sun Inn in Dedham, a 15th-century coaching inn with rooms and Italian-influenced menus, will host its fifth Al Festo festival with a heady combination of live acts, food and drink.

Music from midday will include a mix of British, not to mention firmly local, and American bands performing folk and Americana with Lilly Winwood (daughter of Steve), The Crux, Massy Ferguson, Andy Johnson, Brooke Telling and Polly Haynes & Band.

However it’s not all craft beer and cider, as spirt and fizz lovers are catered for with the Prosecco & Gin Bar including Reliquum Gin from Great Oakley in Essex. Naturally, the food is courtesy of the pub’s acclaimed bar and restaurant menu with a barbecue dishing beef and chickpea burgers (not in the same bun), lamb kofta with strawberries and cream or ice-cream for pudding.

Stay over in one of the seven individually designed rooms with sloping ceilings, characterful beams, soothing heritage-inspired colours and Egyptian cotton linens.

Children are also catered for with their own entertainment in the form of giant Jenga, boules, skittles and other games and dogs are also welcome.

*Al Festo, Saturday 13 - Sunday 14 July 2019, 12-6pm each day, bookings can be made for tables inside or on the terrace (but not in the music area). Free parking is available at Mill Lane Car Park. Doubles fro £150 B&B, subject to availability.