The castle is 14th century, built between the battles of Crecy and Agincourt by a knight who had made a lot of money fighting in France. He came home, married well, built a castle (which was also built as a very comfortable home) and went back to war again leaving a pregnant wife. That was pretty much his pattern, until he retired to hunker down in his castle and survey the countryside, keeping things safe in his little corner of Britain.
Actually, the castle was in a very strategic place - at that time. The River Rother, navigable by French ships, and strategically important, basically ends at Bodiam.
The outer wall is intact. The interior was despoiled by Cromwell's troups, like nearly every other castle in the land. However, some remains and you can climb to the top of some of the towers for views of the countryside and there are a few rooms still intact in the towers. It's a lovely little place.
The highlight of Tuesday, in between Ikea and the mostly disappointing coast.
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