Battle - Bodiam Castle

Built on the northern slopes of the Rother valley between 1385 and 1389, Bodiam Castle (8mi/13km northeast of Battle) is one of the country's best preserved medieval moated castles. It is also widely regarded as one of the most romantic castle ruins in England (a reputation it acquired in the 19th century due in no small measure to J. Fuller). Never having endured a siege, Bodiam retains much of its original character, an outstanding example of a medieval fortress from a time when domestic comfort began to be prized as well as security. The unusually wide moat creates the appearance of a lake, in which the square castle with its sturdy, round, battlement corner towers, stands as if on an island.