First exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1820. 'Stratford Mill' is one of six major exhibition paintings by Constable depicting scenes on the River Stour in Suffolk, a group which includes 'The Hay Wain'. The watermill at the left, which was used for manufacturing paper, was demolished in the last century.

After Constable's death, Stratford Mill acquired its more familiar title, 'The Young Waltonians', a reference to Izaak Walton, author of 'The Compleat Angler'.