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Location Plan
Toppesfield Gardens are a remnant of the original Toppesfield Manor (now known as Toppesfield Hall and home to the East Anglian Tourist Board). The Manor of Toppesfield dates back to before 1086 when it was listed in the Domesday Book as being held by a “Free-woman” – something quite unusual at that time.
In 1252 Henry III granted the Lord of the Manor at that time (Gilbert de Kirkby, Lauretta his wife and their heirs) a weekly market and three-day annual Michaelmas fair. This right to hold a weekly market and annual fair was passed on to the Hadleigh Market Foeffment in 1438 from the Lord of Toppesfield Manor and has continued uninterrupted for five hundred years. The original market was held on a Monday until the 1960’s and included a variety of livestock as well as all those stalls we expect to see at markets today. Nowadays the market is held on Fridays and no longer includes livestock!
Nowadays Toppesfield Gardens provides a quiet informal space adjacent to the riverbank, with views across to the picnic area at the end of Riverside Walk. It is only about ½ hectare (1¼ acres) in size and can be accessed from the side of Toppesfield Hall, where there is a small car park, or from Duke Street.
What we ask of you
- Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere there.
- Please put your litter in the bins provided – that’s why they are there.
- If you discover any damage or are worried about anything you see in the park, please let us know.
- If you see any vandalism or antisocial behaviour please let us know that too, but telephone the police first.
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