Copyright Kent Past 2010
Kent Past
The History of Kent
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History of Hadlow
Hadlow comes from the Old English words ‘hæð’ meaning 'heather, a tract of uncultivated
land’ and ‘hlāw’ representing a 'tumulus, hill, mound'; therefore, the 'mound or
hill where heather grows'. The Domesday Book records Hadlow as Haslow.
Hadlow parish
church is a Grade: II listed building, dedicated to Saint Mary the Virgin, and first
mentioned in 975AD, when only a wooden Saxon chapel. In 1018, Edward, the Confessor
gave Hadlow to queen Eddeva, who rebuilt the church in stone. They built the tower
earlier than the church and did not attach it until the 13th century. In 1695, James
Bartlett cast and hung a ring of five bells, which he increased to six in the following
year. Pack and Chapman added two trebles in 1775 to complete the octave, and the
addition of a clock, by John Thwaites of Clerkenwell, in 1791. In 1798, Edward Hasted
described St Mary’s as a ‘small building with a low pointed steeple at the west end’.
The Victorians rebuilt the chancel and added the vestry in 1847 and in 1853 blocked
up the south aisle and added the north aisle. The owner of Hadlow castle installed
a private gallery – later removed with restoration to the roof in 1936…. more
In 1786, Walter May inherited the manor house, Hadlow Court Lodge, which he demolished and built Hadlow Castle, in an ornate, Gothic style. Upon inheriting the castle his son, also Walter, built 170 feet high folly, which lightning damaged in 1987, and although, a Grade: I Listed Building remains in ruins.