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Bodiam Castle

 

Sir Edward Dalyrigge was a soldier and a statesman. He wanted an impressive house to reflect his status. As a loyal supporter of Richard the Second he was given permission to fortify, or crenellate, his manor house at Bodiam in East Sussex. Once he'd got this permission, Sir Edward decided to build a completely new house down the hill from his old mansion, and this building became Bodiam Castle, completed in 1385. It was designed primarily to look impressive, and beautiful. With the castle strongly linked to the court of king Richard, Richard's tastes in art and beauty would have influenced its building. Inspite of Richard the Second's preference for peace, society was turbulent in the fourteenth century. The fact that Bodiam looks as it does reflects the values of a violent age. In another two hundred years grand houses would be built with dreamy spires rather than battlements. Much as he may have liked them Richard wasn't able to have dreamy spires. Facing constant power struggles with violent nobles it was clear that such visions did not correspond with reality. So rather than dreamy spires Richard had dreamy battlements instead.

Bodiam Castle is in East Sussex, three miles south of Hawkhurst just off the A21. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on Bodiam Castle

Opening Times: From 1st February to 15th February Bodium is open 10.30am - 4pm weekends only. From the 16th of February to the 31st of October Bodiam is open everyday, 10.30am - 6pm. From the 1st of November 2008 until 31st January 2009, opening is at weekends only, 10.30am - 4pm. Last admission is one hour before closing. A historical re-enactment takes place 30th and 31st August.

Access: Access from the carpark is along an uneven shinglepath, and could be difficult. There is easier access along a private road, and there is also a drop off point. Contact the Property Manager in advance.

Contact:

phone: 01580 830436

web site: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-bodiamcastle.htm