Name: Hadlow Tower
Rating: 5.0

Hadlow Tower

Hadlow Castle, High St, Hadlow, Tonbridge TN11 0EG, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Hadlow Tower or May’s Folly as it is affectionately known, is a Grade 1* listed folly and the tallest of its kind in the United Kingdom. It was constructed in the mid 19th Century and once formed part of a grand castle in the Romantic Gothic style, built by Walter Barton May.

Rumour has it, he built the tower to be able to spy on his estranged wife after she left him though it was more likely to show off his vast wealth. Painting by Steve Crisp - a renowned local artist. The Tower at Hadlow Castle was built of brick and rendered with Roman Cement. It stands 175 feet high, commanding the local landscape. It is 8 feet taller than Nelson’s column which was constructed contemporaneously between 1839 and 1843.

The house and estate lands passed through several families during the intervening years until the estate was split up and sold in the early 20th century. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

The house and estate lands passed through several families during the intervening years until the estate was split up and sold in the early 20th century. In the Second World War it served as a lofty observation post for the Observer Corps and Home Guard. It was doubtless used as a landmark by Luftwaffe pilots on their way to London, who dropped bombs in nearby fields, but never hit the tower or castle.
In 1951 the main building of the castle with its ‘arches, groins, ramifications and various flowers of Gothic grandeur’ was demolished for building materials. Bernard Hailstone RP, a renowned portrait painter (of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Sir Winston Chirchill amongst others), purchased the Tower and the remaining courtyard buildings, preventing its demise.
1976 saw the Tower converted to a dwelling by the Danish Photographer Soren Jensen. The Tower exchanged hands again. However, it was badly damaged by the exceptional storms of 1987 and fell into disrepair. The lantern base crumbled and had to be dismantled.
In 1998 the World Monument Fund considered the building to be important enough for it to be included in the top 100 most endangered historic buildings in the world.

Facilities

What to see

Enter your own fairytale at Hadlow Tower, a 3 to 4 bedroom luxury holiday retreat with 360 degree panoramic views of the Kent countryside. Also affectionately known as May's Folly, this Grade 1 listed property was once on the World Monument Fund's 100 most endangered historic buildings in the world, before it underwent a multi-million pound restoration.
It is also the tallest folly of its kind in the United Kingdom, with visitors staying across five floors in the upper part of the tower. While Hadlow Tower boasts beautiful and historical architecture, the interior has everything that guests need to enjoy a luxurious and modern stay.
The first floor has a fully equipped kitchen, along with the stunning dining room so diners can look across the "garden of England" as they eat. Although a self-catering property, the kitchen will be stocked with organic milk, free range eggs, premium tea, coffee for the Nespresso Machine, butter, bread and an array of spreads upon arrival.
The hosts can also help to make the stay that extra bit special with the hire of a chef or a premium hamper to be enjoyed out in the surrounding countryside, or for chilled champagne to be waiting for you upon arrival.
Heading up the spiral staircase and past the traditional stain glassed windows leads to the drawing room on the second floor with its comfy sofas, cosy seating areas and wood burning stove. There is also a bathroom and vestibule bedroom on this level.
The third floor hosts the double Snow White bedroom and the twin Red Riding Hood bedroom, each decorated and furnished to perfectly blend tradition and luxury.
Finally the fourth floor has the Rapunzel bedroom, a double room with its own private dressing room and mezzanine en-suite. Of course at this height the views are at their most spectacular.
The village of Hadlow itself is right outside the castle gates and a couple of country pubs are a 10 minutes walk away, but for a large choice of bars and restaurants it is worth the 10 minute drive to the nearby town of Tonbridge.
The cultural attractions of Broadview Gardens, Tonbridge Castle and the Oast Theatre can also be found in the town, while the more active could head out into Haysden Country Park or kayak down the River Medway.