A walk around Hadleigh Town centre



1 Start - Obelisk Milestone	Start from Obelisk Milestone which indicates that it is 64 miles to London and on old photos of the town appears on the opposite side of the street. Head towards the Church.
2 Church	The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is 163 ft long and has a lead spire 135ft high. The main part of the building belongs to the 15th century but the Tower which is narrower in breadth from the Church is much earlier. The Deanery Tower was built by Archdeacon Pykenham in 1495 and has distinctive polygonal turrets. Cross the churchyard to the 15th century Guildhall and then follow the road to the Town Hall.
3 URC Church	The Congregational Church opposite was built in 1832, it has a broad heavy Grecian porch and upper arched windows. In the graveyard there is a monkey puzzle tree. It is suggested that the tree may have been so named because "to climb it would puzzle a monkey". Pass The Ram Public House and cross the car park in front of the Tourist Board offices, the fire station and the clinic. Follow the path along the river. At the gate turn right.
4 Toppesfield Bridge	The medieval three-arch bridge is the oldest in the town and was strengthened in Victorian times. Turn left along the path beside the millpond, crossing the river at the small bridge. In the distance the lights of Hadleigh United FC's football stadium are visible. Walk up Tinker's Lane to Benton Street and turn left.
5 War memorial	Nicola's Hadleigh site contains a great wealth of material about the 110 townsfolk who died in the First World War, including the 12 men who died on 21st August 1915 in Turkey. Carry on into the town. Cross the road at the Barclays Bank where William Corder, the Red Barn murderer changed a £5 note which helped to convict him.
6 White Lion	Carry on past the White Lion and the George Inn, turning right at the Obelisk and passing the British Legion. Cross Magdalen Road and head up George Street (formerly Hell Street). Pass the Baptist Chapel (1830) and East House, cross Stonehouse Road.
7 Almshouses	Opposite is the site of Archdeacon Pykenham's almshouses which were built originally from his will of 1498 for 12 "decayed" housekeepers and 12 poor men, with an attached chapel where daily at 4pm the inhabitants were to thank God and pray for his soul. Two additional almshouses were added with the will of rector, Dr Thomas Goad in 1638. The almshouses were rebuilt in 1887. The 15th century chapel, known as the Row Chapel, was restored in 1890. Turn back towards the town, turning right at the Cock Inn into Threadneedle Street and turning left at the Eight Bells.
8 Angel Street	Look out for 49, the Pink House, formerly the home of the Oswald Gayford. Head back towards the town, turning right at the King's Head.
9 High Street	Pass nos 108 and 110 with the date 1649.
10 Old Shoulder	At the Old Shoulder, a former inn which served as a centre for wagons and carrier's carts cross the road and head back to the centre. Pass Cinch's shop which now seems to sell garden furniture and which has been mooted as a possible route to a future Tesco store. No 150 is Sun Court which would be dramatically affected if planning permission were to be granted.
11 Pound Lane	Opposite the King's Head, Pound Lane leads to Hadleigh Hall. Pass the butchers and various other shops. Queen Street was built at the beginning of Victoria's reign.
12 Finish - Crabtrees	Cross the High Street and if you peg out before reaching the Obelisk you could always call into Crabtrees, formerly the Coffee Tavern.
Based on a walk around the town with W.A.B Jones