Bodiam Castle was constructed in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge (a veteran of the wars with France) after receiving permission from the king. As well as constructing the castle, Sir Edward also built an oversized moat, a mill and millpond that were located next to the river, near the harbour.
During its short history, Bodiam Castle was never to taste the emotions of battle but it was besieged twice. The first was during the War of the Roses and the second being the Civil War when it was assumed that the castle was deliberately ruined. Little is recorded of the castle until the18th century when Bodiam was in the hands of the Webster family. It is from this period of ownership that the castle began to be widely appreciated as a romantic ruin.
Bodiam Castle was purchased by John Fuller of Brightling, for a princely sum of £3,000 in 1829 and later by George Cubitt (whom became Lord Ashcombe). It was during this period that its two owners undertook restoring Bodiam Castle. These works paled into insignificance by the work that was undertaken by the castles last owner, Lord Curzon.
Lord Curzon was a figure of enormous importance in the history of architectural conservation in Britain and beyond, where he first showed an interest in restoring monuments in India, as Viceroy. When he returned to England, he turned his attention to monuments in this country, introducing the first Act for the Preservation of Ancient Monuments.
When Lord Curzon he first chanced upon Bodiam Castle in 1917 he was so captivated by its presence that he bought the castle with the intention of making it liveable again. His vision never came to fruition and in 1919, he set out on an important restoration project. Lord Curzon drained and excavated the moat, which revealed the original wooden footings of the bridges that led to the castle as well as several small finds, which included bits of armour and cannonballs, now displayed in the museum. As well as restoring the building, Curzon also published a lavish book about the castle, which was published posthumously in 1926, the year Bodiam came to the National Trust under the terms of his will.
Today a visitor to Bodiam Castle, which is set in open parkland, is confronted with a castle that on the outside seems almost fully restored. You approached through the remains of several medieval features including the ornamental water gardens and millpond for Dalyngrigge's original estate, along with a more modern Second World War Pillbox.
Upon entering the castle from the modern day bridge you come to gaze upon the damage inflicted during the 1600's. It is easy to let your thoughts wonder and summon up images of how this once grand residence would have been, with its chapel, family quarters, great hall and kitchen.
During its short history, Bodiam Castle was never to taste the emotions of battle but it was besieged twice. The first was during the War of the Roses and the second being the Civil War when it was assumed that the castle was deliberately ruined. Little is recorded of the castle until the18th century when Bodiam was in the hands of the Webster family. It is from this period of ownership that the castle began to be widely appreciated as a romantic ruin.
Bodiam Castle was purchased by John Fuller of Brightling, for a princely sum of £3,000 in 1829 and later by George Cubitt (whom became Lord Ashcombe). It was during this period that its two owners undertook restoring Bodiam Castle. These works paled into insignificance by the work that was undertaken by the castles last owner, Lord Curzon.
Lord Curzon was a figure of enormous importance in the history of architectural conservation in Britain and beyond, where he first showed an interest in restoring monuments in India, as Viceroy. When he returned to England, he turned his attention to monuments in this country, introducing the first Act for the Preservation of Ancient Monuments.
When Lord Curzon he first chanced upon Bodiam Castle in 1917 he was so captivated by its presence that he bought the castle with the intention of making it liveable again. His vision never came to fruition and in 1919, he set out on an important restoration project. Lord Curzon drained and excavated the moat, which revealed the original wooden footings of the bridges that led to the castle as well as several small finds, which included bits of armour and cannonballs, now displayed in the museum. As well as restoring the building, Curzon also published a lavish book about the castle, which was published posthumously in 1926, the year Bodiam came to the National Trust under the terms of his will.
Today a visitor to Bodiam Castle, which is set in open parkland, is confronted with a castle that on the outside seems almost fully restored. You approached through the remains of several medieval features including the ornamental water gardens and millpond for Dalyngrigge's original estate, along with a more modern Second World War Pillbox.
Upon entering the castle from the modern day bridge you come to gaze upon the damage inflicted during the 1600's. It is easy to let your thoughts wonder and summon up images of how this once grand residence would have been, with its chapel, family quarters, great hall and kitchen.
Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle
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