Epic Aerial Journey: Hadleigh Castle Essex Flight

Hadleigh Castle, a historic ruin in Essex, overlooks the Thames Estuary just south of the town of Hadleigh. Constructed after 1215 during the reign of Henry III by Hubert de Burgh, it was surrounded by parkland and played a vital economic and defensive role. Edward III later expanded and remodeled the castle, transforming it into a grander estate designed to defend against potential French attacks and serve as a convenient royal residence close to London. Built on a soft hill of London clay, the castle has suffered from subsidence over the centuries. Combined with the sale of its stonework in the 16th century, this has left the castle in ruins. Today, the remains are preserved by English Heritage and protected under UK law as a Grade I listed building and scheduled monument.