Bodiam Castle
Welcome to Our 50th Blog Post!
“I do not understand how anyone can live without one small place of enchantment to turn to.”
My how time flies—It’s hard to believe we have been in the UK for 71 days already! This blog is my 50th and I’m so grateful it landed here—with Bodiam Castle! As you’ll see, Bodiam Castle is one of Britain's most picturesque and romantic ancient monuments.
Bodiam Castle was built around 1385 by Sir Edward Dallingridge and his wife Elizabeth.
As a soldier of war in France during the rein of King Richard II, Dallingridge reached the highest circles of English society.
King Richard II granted Dallingridge a licence to “crenellate" or fortify his home and Bodiam Castle was the result.
The gatehouse entrance.
In the impressive gatehouse is the castle's original wooden portcullis, an extremely rare example of its kind.
Murder Holes in the ceiling of the entranceway.
Will heads up the original stone spiral staircase into the tower.
Sometimes your stomach acts up at the most inopportune of times. Good thing there was a garderobe available!
On top the northwest tower with the gatehouse towers behind. Check out the cool little door you come up through to reach the roof.
An absolutely gorgeous day!
“I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries! Now go away before I taunt you a second time!”
Looking across the courtyard toward the gatehouse (earlier pictures were on top the tower on the left). In the courtyard, enough of the interior ruins survive to give an impression of castle life. The castle did not have a keep, but apartments built down the right side. The kitchen and servant quarters were on the left. The dining hall is immediately below.
Will contemplating the acceleration rate of a lougee when in hits the moat, or perhaps the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow.
What a view!
The king and queen on their raised platform in the dining hall.
Bodiam fits our quintessentially romantic ideal of a moated castle perfectly, the stuff of fairytales. All it lacks is a drawbridge (though it once had one); otherwise, it is ideal in every way!
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
After leaving Bodiam, we stopped in to visit the nearby Sissinghurst Castle Garden. Above is the “castle” that allows Sissinghurst to use the word “Castle” in its title. After Bodiam, nothing at Sissinghurst is remotely close to being a “castle.” However, Sissinghurst is truly world-renowned for its garden, not its castle. We visited on January 22 and you know what they say about gardens in winter—absolutely nothing!
On top of the “castle.” The grounds must be magnificent in spring, right now—not so much.
Cool dilapidated shed.
