Hadleigh Castle

Hadleigh Castle consists of stone towers and wall remnants from the 13th century positioned on a hilltop overlooking the Thames Estuary. Two main towers survive along with sections of fortification walls that display medieval defensive design.

A powerful noble built the fortification in 1230 under King Henry III to demonstrate authority over the region. The structure deteriorated quickly as unstable ground undermined its foundation, leading to major collapses within its first century.

The ruins inspired a celebrated oil painting created in 1829 that hangs in a Connecticut museum. Artists have continued to visit the site, drawn by its striking forms and the way it captures the passage of time.

The site is easy to explore on foot and sits within a larger park that offers walking paths and parking facilities. No shelter or buildings protect visitors from the elements, so come prepared for open terrain and changing weather.

The foundations were compromised by waterlogged ground from the start, causing the south wall and northeast tower to collapse within decades of construction. This made it an early lesson in how location choices could determine the survival of medieval fortifications.