Castle Road
Hadleigh Castle
Leigh-on-Sea
Hadleigh was begun in about 1215 by Hubert de Burgh, but extensively refortified by Edward III during the Hundred Years War, becoming a favourite residence of the ageing king.
The barbican and two striking drum towers – one later used by Georgian revenue men looking out for smugglers – are part of Edward’s substantial building works during the 1360s.
Today the romantic ruins of this royal castle look out over the Essex marshes.