Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge under royal licence to defend against French invasion, and its round corner towers rising straight out of a wide moat make it the medieval castle most people picture. The gatehouse still holds its original wooden portcullis, a rare survival, and inside enough ruins remain to trace hall, kitchens and chambers, with spiral staircases up the towers for views over the River Rother. The National Trust has cared for it since 1926, when Lord Curzon left it to the nation. Families get costumed moat tours and armour displays, and the Kent and East Sussex steam railway stops nearby. Reviewers praise the coffee and cake at the Wharf Tea Room and guides who pitch their stories to children. Tips from regulars: the car park uses the JustPark app, even for members parking free; the tower steps are narrow and very steep; and dogs on leads may use the grounds and tea room but not the castle.