Bodiam Castle |  14th Century Moated Castle

Bodiam Castle, a beautiful and historic castle located in the South East of England, was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a knight of Edward III, on the site of an earlier motte and bailey.

The castle has been well preserved and is now open to the public as a tourist attraction.


Bodiam Castle |  14th Century Moated Castle 1

A Brief History of Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III, on the site of an earlier motte and bailey castle. The castle was built to defend the area against French invasion during the Hundred Years’ War.

The castle is quadrangular in shape, with round towers at each corner. The main entrance is through a barbican and drawbridge.

The castle was besieged during the Wars of the Roses in 1461, but it was not captured. During the Civil War, Bodiam Castle was held by Parliamentarians.

In 1652, the castle was sold to Sir Edward Dixwell, a Royalist. In 1665, the castle was bought by Sir Thomas Beaumont, who left it to ruin.

Bodiam Castle was bought by John Fuller in 1829. He carried out some restoration work on the castle, but it was not until the early 20th century that major restoration work was carried out.

The castle is now owned by the National Trust and is a Grade I listed building.


The Architecture of Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle |  14th Century Moated Castle 2
Edward III

The castle was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III, with the purpose of defending the area against French invasion during the Hundred Years’ War.

The castle’s design was based on that of the concentric castles found in France and Wales, and it was one of the first of its kind in England.

The castle is considered to be a prime example of late medieval fortification, and its design was influential in the construction of other castles in the years to come.

The castle has been described as “the perfect embodiment of the medieval castle”, and its defenses include a moat, a drawbridge, portcullises, and numerous towers and turrets.

Today, Bodiam Castle is a popular tourist attraction, and its grounds are used for a variety of events and activities.


The Defences of Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle |  14th Century Moated Castle 3

The castle is situated in the town of Bodiam, East Sussex, England near the gorgeous town of Rye (pictured)

Its location was strategic, as it guarded the main road from London to Hastings, which was the main route used by the invaders. The castle is quadrangular in shape, with four round towers at each corner.

The towers are connected by walls, which are up to 20 feet thick in places. There are two main entrances, one on the north side and one on the south side.

There are also several smaller entrances, which were probably used by the servants. The castle was built using the latest technology of the time, which made it very difficult to breach.

The castle withstood several sieges during the Hundred Years’ War, and was only taken by the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War.

The castle fell into ruin after the end of the war and was subsequently restored in the 19th century.

Bodiam Castle is now a tourist attraction, and is well worth a visit if you are interested in medieval history.


Life at Bodiam Castle in the Middle Ages

bodiam castle

The castle was built to defend the nearby town of Rye from French invasion during the Hundred Years’ War. In the centuries since its construction, Bodiam Castle has been used as a private residence, an artillery fort, and a prisoner-of-war camp.

Today, the castle is a popular tourist destination and receives over 200,000 visitors per year. When you visit Bodiam Castle, it’s easy to imagine what life was like for the people who lived there in the Middle Ages.

The castle was built to be a comfortable home for Sir Edward and his family, and it would have been filled with tapestries, furniture, and other luxury items. The castle also would have been home to a large number of servants, who would have taken care of the day-to-day running of the castle.

During the Hundred Years’ War, the castle was used as an artillery fort to defend the nearby town of Rye from French invasion.

The castle was also used as a prisoner-of-war camp, and it is thought that some of the prisoners were held in the dungeons beneath the castle. Today, Bodiam Castle is a popular tourist destination, and it is easy to see why.

The castle is beautifully preserved and is surrounded by a moat, which makes it a very picturesque site. The castle is also open to the public, so you can explore the rooms and imagine what life was like for the people who lived there centuries ago.


Visiting Bodiam Castle

Where is Bodiam Castle?

bodiam castle map

Bodiam Castle is in the South East of England near the town of Rye, not far from the site of the Battle of Hastings.

How Get There:

how to get to bodiam castle
Source: National Trust

Opening Times & Access Fees

The castle is open 10am – 5pm every day.

It costs £11 (£5.50 for a child) per day per person.


FAQ’s in Relation to Bodiam Castle

Why is the Bodiam Castle famous?

Bodiam Castle is famous because it is a well-preserved example of a 14th century moated castle.

What was filmed at Bodiam Castle?

The castle was used as a filming location for the 1968 film Camelot.

Who lived at Bodiam Castle?

The last person to live in Bodiam Castle was Lord Curzon.


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