We decided to visit Bodiam Castle on a bright February morning. I had incorrectly thought the castle is in Kent and could not figure out why it took us so long to drive there. Turns out Bodiam is in East Sussex and closer to Hastings than Dartford, so that explains it. I love castles, so much so that I have a dedicated label on this blog especially for all my castle-hopping adventures. I prefer ruined castles slightly over intact castles and Bodiam is a very fine example of a moated-castle ruin.
Bodiam Castle was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge. England was in the midst of the 100 Year War and Sir Edward built the castle (with the permission of Richard II) with the aim of protecting the area of East Sussex from a possible French invasion.
Unlike many castles in Britain, Bodiam was both completed and inhabited. It is reported that the Dalyngrigge lived in the castle for several generations before the male heir line died out and the castle passed by marriage to the Lewknor family.
By 1483, almost a century after the castle was built, Richard III of the House of York became king. Sir Thomas Lewknor had supported the House of Lancaster in the War of the Roses and so a force was sent to Bodiam and the castle surrendered. The castle was confiscated and only returned to the Lewknors when Henry VII of the House of Lancaster became king in 1485.
The Lewknor family owned the castle until the 16th century and by the start of the English Civil War, was in possession of Lord Thanet, a descendant of the Lewknors. Lord Thanet was a keen Royalist and he was forced to sell the castle to pay for fines brought against him following the Parliamentarian victory.
Bodiam Castle was purchased but dismantled and left to fall into ruin. It is only through the work of John Fuller (who bought the castle in 1829), George Cubitt and Lord Curzon that vital restoration work was carried out on the castle to deliver the ruin we know today. Lord Curzon left Bodiam Castle to The National Trust on his death in 1925 and the ruin has been open to the public since.
Bodiam Castle is unusual in that there was no keep built in the castle. Instead the castle was built in a simple quadrangle with chambers situated along the outer defensive walls and inner courts. A circular drum tower is located at each of the four corners of the castle and square central towers are located in the middle of three of four sides.
All of the towers are topped by defensive crenellations which highlight the castle’s defensive intent.
There are arrow loops in the walls and towers of the castle and impressive views of the surrounding countryside. The well in the castle has been preserved and possibly provided water for the castle inhabitants. They certainly weren’t using the moat as a water source for it is believed that is where waste water from the castle was diverted!
We were very lucky because the dark clouds that covered the sky for much of our visit did not break. It was also slightly warm in the sunshine but colder in the shade. By the time we exited to the castle to admire the sculptures, the sky was blue and the promise of spring was near!
Bodiam Castle
Bodiam, near Robertsbridge
East Sussex
TN32 5UA
Prices vary from £10 per adult and £5 per child off-peak. Click the link above for details.
I was chatting with my Mum the other day and she complained that I don't post often enough here. I've always been a bit shy of posting too often. What do you think? Should I post more often here?
Bodiam Castle has outer defensive walls, a moat, crenellations and long views of the countryside because it was there to protect the residents and kill the outsiders. But I would not want to make it my family home, especially in the cold weather.
ReplyDeleteI wonder though... I don't think any dwellings were particularly cosy in those long winters - perhaps the relative safety and security within those walls made up for the lack of comfort
DeleteI love castles too and this one definitely looks worthy of a visit!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is! Recommend if you ever find yourself in Kent
DeleteIt is many many years ago since i visited Bodiam Castle. I was visiting relatives in Kent.
ReplyDeleteI was mildly chastised when I poste my photos... I tagged the castle as being in Kent ;-)
An easy mistake to make!! I was convinced it was in Kent too until I began to research why it took us 90 minutes to get there!!
DeleteWhat a wonderful castle!and the ticket price isn't high. I love exploring castles too
ReplyDeleteIt's very reasonable, especially compared to other castles in the region
DeleteIt shows that you have a love for castles, Mandy and you pictures show. Of course you had that lovely sky to complete those wonderful pictures. You found most interesting spots in the castle to show how enormous this castle is.
ReplyDeleteAnd then about posting. I voted once a week, but if you are more comfortable with once every month and the quality is outstanding, do what YOU want. Quality goes before quantity.... You do a great job and I know your mom is proud of you and wants to see more pictures ;).....
Have a great day.
I'm pleased you enjoyed the post Astrid! And you're right, quality must always come first; at least I know now that once a week isn't too much for most readers.
DeleteI think something went wrong??
ReplyDeleteYour pictures show your love for castles and you were helped with an outstanding sky as well. You showed many special places of the castle. A wonderful series. About how many times posting? I think quality goes before quantity, I think your mom is very proud of you and she wants to see more of you :)
Have a nice day.
Aah, yes, I have to moderate all comments on my blog because of the high number of attempted spam comments. So they will always be invisible for a little while :)
DeleteI, too, am a HUGE fan of castles, Mandy, and prefer the ruined ones more than ones that are still lived in, generations later. The history of them is far beyond my ken, but my mom would eat it all up. For me they are a photographer's paradise. Kudos to you for these gorgeous images!
ReplyDeleteAs regards frequency in posts, I have another blog (my travel blog at "In Soul" since 2005: https://ginniehart.blogspot.com/) that I used to post on every day, later once a week, and now maybe once or twice a month. My personal feeling is that YOU get to do what YOU want/need to do. I try to no longer "worry" about what anyone else thinks/does. My posts nowadays are mainly to keep a record of what/why/when/where, lest I forget! I.e. the posts are now more for me and Astrid, my wife, than for anyone else.
So pleased you like castles as much as I do! And thank you for linking to your blogspot blog! And I agree - I returned to blogging after a four year hiatus because I realised I used my blog to remember where I'd been and what I'd done. It's for me more than anyone else!
Deletei enjoyed this post, Mandy, lots of interest to see and this place had quite some history. you had a lovely day to be outside in and the opening shot with the reflections is a stunner!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ayush! I call that first photo "the money shot". I'd seen that view from other people and wanted to recreate it
DeleteThis is an amazingly wonderful castle. People do their best to preserve that. The landscape around it is beautiful. We do not see any advertisement signs. Thanks for your sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt's so beautiful and yes, very well preserved
DeleteI haven't heard of this castle and I much prefer this style of castle to the French chateaux of the Loire Valley variety. All kinds of castles are called chateaux here. Love the way you have a ruin of a castle with bowling green lawns! I find that really amusing. Looks a very interesting place.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Ginnie above regarding blog posts. I like to keep records of things too whether they be travels or plants or insects in the garden. I struggle to keep up though most of the time! You post as many as you like, don't feel bad about posting too many if you have something to say or photos to share! Your readers aren't forced to read every post :-)
I also struggle to keep up, both with myself and with others! I adore the French style of chateaux too - I can't choose favourites :)
DeleteI think we have visited that castle. But only from the outside, and many years ago.
ReplyDeleteOne blogger on my reading list picks a month and posts every day = too much. I do about 3 a month.
I agree! I know some post every day in November, for example. It's hard to keep up! 2-3 a month sounds perfect for me too.
DeleteHi, Mandy! I always love reading your posts so I think you should post as often as you like!
ReplyDeleteI really love castles too. There is a different kind of energy whenever you visit castles, almost like you can be transported back to another time. Is there a particular reason why you prefer ruined castles? I suppose there is a certain sense of greater authenticity in a ruined castle than in one that has been restored and potentially commercialized. By the way, the first photo of the castle with the reflection on the water is stunning!
Hi Nova! Thank you, I think I'm settled on 2-3 a month.
DeleteI don't know why I prefer ruins! I know that I visited ruined castles when we still lived in England up to the age of 9. I think it's one of the things I loved and missed about England. My imagination can run wild in a ruin, whereas you're shown more precisely in a museum-type castle