Hadstock, although small, dates back over a thousand years. The wooden door of St Botolph’s church is thought to date back to Saxon times, and like many church doors would have been covered in leather. In 1791 a small piece of what looked like leather was found under the iron fittings of the door. It found its way to the Saffron Walden Museum, where analysis suggested it had a more gruesome origin. A label from 1883 tells the story of the piece of skin, suggesting that it once belonged to a Dane, a sacrilegious Viking, killed for stealing from the church. He was flayed and his skin mounted on the door as a warning.

Although the church features on the sign, there is no indication of this local legend. Also shown is the control tower of Little Warden (Hadstock) airfield which was in use during WW2. The Control Tower survives in use as offices.

Hadstock Parish Council

Hadstock Village OS Grid Ref: TL 559 448