Hadlow Tower, the world's tallest Gothic folly, is being sold as a family home for £2.78 million. The Grade I-listed, 18th-century tower in Tonbridge, Kent, stands at 175 feet—six feet taller than Nelson's Column—and offers four bedrooms across five floors. Surrounded by private gardens, woodland, and a lake, the tower also features a parapet with 360-degree views of the village.
Originally part of a Romantic Gothic style castle, the tower was built by Walter Barton May, who reportedly added the structure to spy on his estranged wife and her new partner. Unsatisfied with the height, May later added a 40-foot lantern. The tower was badly damaged in the Great Storm of 1987, and the lantern was removed in 1996. A £4.2 million restoration, supported by English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund, was completed in 2013, winning multiple Historic England Angel Awards and the Lloyd-Webber Angel Award. An exact replica of the lantern was added in 2011.
The interior blends historic charm with modern amenities. Accessed via a triple-arched entrance from the high street, the tower includes a lift to the first four floors, original brick floors, terracotta flooring, and stained glass windows from the original castle. The first floor houses an octagonal dining room, the second floor a drawing room with a brick arched fireplace, and the principal suite features exposed beams and a contemporary ensuite. The fourth floor includes an octagonal dressing room and access to a castellated roof terrace.
The current owner, who is moving abroad for work, said: 'My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time here, including the peaceful and tranquil environment.' The tower is situated in the conservation area of Hadlow village, which offers shops, pubs, a restaurant, a church, and a medical centre, as well as cricket and bowls clubs.
