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Hadleigh Castle

Travel Information and nearby accommodation

The remains of a 13th century castle standing on high ground over the Essex marshes. Hadleigh was begun in 1215 by Hubert de Burgh. It was later expanded and strengthened by Edward III into a comfortable (for the time) royal residence.

In 1215 King John gave land at Hadleigh to de Burgh, one of his most trusted advisors and custodian of Windsor Castle and Dover Castle. During the childhood of John's heir, Henry III, Hubert was de facto ruler of England, and he poured money into Hadleigh Castle as a statement of his wealth and power. Unfortunately, de Burgh quarrelled with the king in 1239, and he was forced to cede all his lands, including Hadleigh, to the crown.

The castle remained in royal control. During the Hundred Years war, Edward III saw the strategic importance of Hadleigh in his attempts to defend the Thames estuary against French attacks. Edward extended Hadleigh, building a new gateway and tower, chapel, and living quarters. He added the twin drum towers which still stand today. He also built Queenborough Castle on the Kent shore of the estuary opposite Hadleigh.

Hadleigh became one of Edward's favourite residences, but his successors did not share his enthusiasm for the castle, and it was rented to a succession of tennants before finally being sold to Lord Riche in 1551. Lord Riche dismantled the castle and sold the stone for building materials.

The major remains include a pair of drum towers and a barbican gate. One of the towers was used by Georgian revenue men as a lookout in their war against local smugglers.
Hadleigh, Essex, England

About Hadleigh Castle
Attraction Type: Castle
Location: Open at any time. South of the A13 at Hadleigh.
Website: Hadleigh Castle
English Heritage
Location map
OS TQ810861
Heritage Rating:   ?

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information

Nearest Attractions Rayleigh Mount - 3 miles (Castle) RHS Garden Hyde Hall - 8.9 miles (Garden) Upnor Castle - 10.2 miles (Castle) Historic Dockyard Chatham - 11 miles (Museum) Rochester Cathedral - 11.8 miles (Cathedral) Rochester Castle - 11.8 miles (Castle) Restoration House - 11.8 miles (Historic Property) Temple Manor - 11.9 miles (Historic Property)

Nearest Towns and Villages Gillingham - 11.1 miles away Rochester - 11.8 miles away Chatham - 12 miles away Gravesend - 13 miles away Cobham - 14.4 miles away Dartford - 18.1 miles away Aylesford - 18.9 miles away Maidstone - 19.7 miles away

Nearest Accommodation to Hadleigh Castle

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

Ivydene - 13.3 miles from Hadleigh Castle Heybridge, Essex Sleeps: 5 Stay from: £220

The Smithy - 25.8 miles from Hadleigh Castle Chilham, Kent Sleeps: 2 Stay from: £260

Heron Manor - 26 miles from Hadleigh Castle Chilham, Kent Sleeps: 5 Stay from: £420

More Self Catering near Hadleigh Castle

Nearest Hotels

The Balmoral Hotel - 3.5 miles from Hadleigh Castle Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex Stay from: £55.00

Essex County Hotel - 3.7 miles from Hadleigh Castle Southend-on-Sea, Essex Stay from: £57.00

The Westcliff Hotel - 4 miles from Hadleigh Castle Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex Stay from: £68.00

More Hotels near Hadleigh Castle

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

Frasers - 5.7 miles from Hadleigh Castle Battlesbridge, Essex From: £58.00

The Cherry Tree - 5.7 miles from Hadleigh Castle Rochford, Essex From: £95.00

Rothmans Bed & Breakfast - 12.8 miles from Hadleigh Castle Chelmsford, Essex From: £22.00

More bed and breakfasts near Hadleigh Castle

Southend On Sea
Tourist Information Centre
Western Esplanade
Southend On Sea
Essex
England
SS1 1EE
Tel: 01702 215 120
Fax: 01702 611 889
Email: vic@southend.gov.uk
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