Whether you're here for a wedding at The Priory, the Guild Hall, the magnificent St. Mary church, or just looking to stay in a beautiful Suffolk town, Hadleigh has much to offer. The jettied timbered buildings dating from the 1400s and the church with the only medieval wood and lead spire in the country are shining examples of England's heritage.

The rolling hills surrounding the town provide ample opportunity for getting outside and also supplied the inspriration for John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough, both of whom lived nearby.

As suggested by the official Hadleigh website, the origins of name come from the Norse Haethlega (a heath-covered place), with evidence of 1st century roman inhabitation and a 5th century pagan Saxon settlement. It was in the 9th century that the town expanded, becoming one of the royal towns sof the Viking King Guthrum, who is said to be buried in the area that became St Mary church.

In medieval times the town boomed thanks to the textile industry. It was in this period that many of the town's fine buildings were built. Unfortunately by the turn of the 17th century the town was in serious decline as the characteristic Hadleigh cloth fell out of fashion in response to new Dutch style fabrics. In many ways this period of poverty saved many of the buildings from being torn down for newer style dwellings.

Times were not much better in the 18th or 19th century, and even the addition of a now defunct railway in 1847 failed to bring the prosperity expected. Of course recent times have seen a turnaround, with a healthly, but not overwhelming tourist trade, and many people chosing Hadleigh as a home to commute to Colchester, Ipswich, or even London which is only an hour away by train.

For further reading it is suggested that you read the excellent Hadleigh Town Guide. This is also available for purchase at the church, library, and other places in town. It provides an expanded history of the town, descriptions of the many fine buildings, walks in the area, and a directory of shops and restaurants.

We would love to have you as our guest. Please call us for availability at The Old Monkey, on 01473 824972, email us on rooms@theoldmonkey.co.uk, or fill out our contact form. Steven & Kathryn Jowett.