Hadleigh   page loading

A small town with many fine timber framed and decorative plasterwork, recorded in Domesday as "Hetlega" and appearing on John Speed's 1610 map as "Hadley". The Danish ruler of East Anglia, Guthrum lived here for 12 years after conversion to Christianity by King Alfred.

The town's most prosperous period was from the 12th Cent. onwards, when weavers turned it into a woolen production centre. The 15th Cent. Guildhall, Deanery Tower and medieval Toppesfield bridge (leading to old market place) reflect this past status. Religious martyr, Dr Rowland Taylor was burnt at the stake on nearby Aldham common in 1555. His memorial can be seen from the by-pass. In mid-18th Cent. The town gained a reputation for smuggling with the "Hadleigh Gang" operating from Sizewell Gap, moving contraband (mainly tea) via a series of safe houses into the town. Their leader, John Harvey, was finally apprehended and transported to Australia for 7 years.

During WWI, the Royal Flying Corps operated an airfield north of Pond Hall Road, between 1916 and 1918. The airfield was used by the Suffolk and Eastern Counties flying club between 1926 ad 1930, when the club moved to Ipswich.

Hadleigh Railway Station was the terminus of a line which joined the Norwich-London line at Bentley. It opened in 1847 and closed in 1965, though passenger traffic finished in 1932. Today there are good walks both along the course of the old railway line towards Raydon and along the banks of the river Brett.

The tourist information centre is sited in Toppesfield Hall.

Also see www.hadleigh.org.uk and the Parish Council website.