Deanery Tower, Hadleigh

Has been described as a Possible Fortified Manor House

There are major building remains

NameDeanery Tower, Hadleigh
Alternative Names
Historic CountrySuffolk
Modern AuthoritySuffolk
1974 AuthoritySuffolk
Civil ParishHadleigh

Built 1495 by Archdeacon Pykeham a former rector. Very fine example of late C15 brickwork. It was originally the gatehouse to the Archdeacon's house (demolished early C19). It is of red brick with black diapering, 43 ft high, 31 ft wide, flanked at the 4 corners by panelled and embattled turrets. The turrets on the east side are hexagonal and rise from the ground level, the turrets on the west side spring from a little way below the corbel table. The carved and moulded brick chimneys in early C16 style were added in 1830. All the external brick panelling is decorated with trefoil- cusped heads. Over the entrance gateway are 2 storeys, the 1st with an oriel window on west side of 2 lights and surmounted by a brick cornice with trefoil-cusped work. The room has been used as a library and was panelled in 1730 by Dean Wilkins. There is a curious painting on plaster above the fireplace of the Church with the river and hills beyond, executed by a local artist Benjamin Coleman 1629. There are also 2 paintings said to be by Canaletto who was a guest of Dean Tanner between 1749 and 1751. A small vaulted oratory with secret chamber is in the south east turret. (Listed Building Report)

Gatehouse Comments

The fine brick gatehouse clearly has a relationship with Layer Marney.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

This is a Grade 1 listed building protected by law

Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTM025424
Latitude52.0434494018555
Longitude0.952049970626831
Eastings602545
Northings242442
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Goodall, John, 2011, The English Castle 1066-1650 (Yale University Press) p. 397, 399
  • Emery, Anthony, 2000, Greater Medieval Houses of England and Wales Vol. 2 East Anglia, Central England and Wales (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) p. 111-13