Hadleigh - Church of St Mary

St Mary's Church has been depicted in one of Thomas Gainsborough's landscape paintings. The church stands among some fine medieval buildings. The lead covered spire is 72ft tall, on top of the 14th century 64ft tower. The rest of the church is mainly 15th century and has a 14th century octagonal font delicately carved with angels at each corner. There is an unusual brass engraved on both sides commemorating the martyr Rowland Taylor who was burnt at the stake in 1555 after the accession of Mary Tudor. An obelisk marks the spot where he was put to death. Legend has it that near a tomb in the south aisle lies the body of a Danish king, Guthrum who was buried in AD 889.

On 26 April 1950 the church was designated a Grade I listed building