Bodiam Castle looks almost too romantic to be true. This fairytale castle was begun in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge to discourage French raids. The picture book design is emphasized by the castle's moat, and its crenellated battlements. Bodiam is reached by no less than three drawbridges and a barbican.
There was a Saxon hall on this site before the Norman Conquest. After the Normans took over the hall passed to the Bodeham family. For several centuries the Bodeham's lived on in the Saxon hall, much strengthened and expanded.
The French raided nearby Winchelsea in 1380, so when a new French invasion threatened in 1385 Sir Edward Dalyngrigge applied to King Richard II for a license to crenellate and strengthen the existing hall. The license was granted, but Sir Edward decided to build a new fortress rather than fortify the old. This new castle he located near the River Rother, where the greatest possibility of French incursion threatened. The castle he built is essentially the one we can visit today.
Click on "Show on map" button to see location of the castle
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