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'Hadleigh' is an ancient market town in Suffolk, East Anglia, England. While not as well-known as its neighbours such as Lavenham, Hadleigh has many beautiful historic buildings and a rich past. Guthrum, King of the Danes, is said to be buried in St. Mary Church (though if true it would have been in the precursor to the present 14th century church). He was defeated by King Alfred in the 9th century. A talk given by a resident of the town to the Hadleigh Society explored this legend in depth with inconclusive results.
Hadleigh has a 15th century timber-framed Guildhall and many fine examples of timber and brick listed buildings, some with highly detailed 17th century plasterwork. Most of these buildings can be found in the High Street, Benton Street, and the immediate area of these streets. The deanery, which is next to the church, is a highly distinctive and attractive brick building. The Oxford Movement was said to have been founded following a meeting in the deanery.
The town was famous for its wool and cloth industries. Like its near-neighbour, East Bergholt, Hadleigh was also known during the 16th century for its Protestant radicalism (and to this day supports a United Reformed Church, a Baptist chapel and a Salvation Army congregation, as well as the Church of England church and a Roman Catholic church). Rowland Taylor, a noted preacher from the town, was martyred during the reign of Queen Mary I.
The town is the home of the noted English poet Pauline Stainer. It is also the location for the headquarters of Babergh District Council [1]- which has been rated as 'good' by inspectors from the Audit Commission.
There is also a town called Hadleigh, near Benfleet in Essex.
For Hadleigh Businesses visit the Chamber of Commerce web site http://www.hadleigh4u.org
To learn more about Hadleigh go to http://www.hadleigh.org.uk