Category Archives: Castles

Autumn, Castles, England, High Weald, Historic Estates, History, Kent, landscape photography, Ruins & Remains, September, South East, UK

Scotney Castle – The Old Ruin and the Victorian House Above It

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Introduction

Scotney Castle is unusual because it isn’t one building but two.
Down by the water sits the medieval Old Castle, once a fortified manor. Above it stands the 1830s New House, built deliberately to overlook the ruins. Together they form one of the most photographed estates in Kent.

Below is the short video showing both parts of the estate:

A wider look at Scotney: the Old Castle in the moat and the New House in the landscape.

Location on Google Maps
View Scotney Castle on Google Maps

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History

The Old Castle dates to the mid-14th century, when Kent was vulnerable to coastal raids during the Hundred Years’ War. It was never a full fortress, but a moated, defensible manor built to protect the family and estate during periods of instability.

scotney castle kilnwood kent
Scotney castle

By the 1830s the Hussey family wanted a modern home, so the New House was built on the hill. Rather than demolish the medieval structure, they turned it into a romantic garden feature. The valley below was landscaped so that the ruins were always the centre of the view from the new house.

Exploring the Site

The Old Castle:
Only part of the original structure survives – the gate tower, a hall range wall and the moat. Time, water and ivy soften the remaining stonework, making it one of the most recognisable scenes in the region.

The New House:
A classic Victorian country house built for comfort, with long views across the valley. The design intentionally frames the Old Castle, showing how 19th-century landscaping turned medieval remains into a feature rather than a burden.

The Grounds:
Lakes, woodland paths, and carefully planted slopes connect both buildings. The entire estate is a managed blend of medieval history and Victorian landscaping.

Practical Info

Location:
Scotney Castle, near Lamberhurst, Kent (National Trust).

Access:
Paid National Trust entry. Parking on site. Easy walking across the gardens.

Best Time to Visit:
Spring for rhododendrons, summer for reflections in the moat, autumn for colours around the valley, winter for clear views of the ruin.

Nearby:

Autumn, Castles, East Sussex, England, History, Lewes, September, South Downs, South East, Summer, Sussex, UK

Lewes Castle – The Norman Stronghold Above the Ouse Valley

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Introduction

From the slopes of Mount Caburn that September morning, I could just see Lewes Castle rising through the mist — the twin mottes catching the first light over the town. It’s one of the earliest Norman castles in England, begun around 1069 by William de Warenne, one of William the Conqueror’s most trusted knights.

🎥 Watch the Short:


Lewes Castle | Born from Conquest after 1066

It’s hard to believe this view has changed so little in nearly a thousand years.

📍 View Lewes Castle on Google Maps
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The Norman Conquest Comes to Lewes

Lewes Castle was the second Norman stronghold in Sussex, built soon after Hastings Castle to secure the route inland and protect the road to London. Its position on the ridge above the River Ouse made it both a defensive lookout and a statement of dominance over the surrounding Saxon population.

lewes castle ouse valley way east sussex
Lewes castle Ouse valley way east Sussex

The earliest castle would have been a timber motte-and-bailey, replaced in stone through the 11th and 12th centuries. The outer towers seen today were added in the 13th century under the Angevin kings — part of the continual strengthening of Norman fortifications across southern England.

Strategic Importance

Lewes controlled the key route between the south coast and the old capital at Winchester. From here, Norman lords could oversee trade and movement along the Ouse Valley and the approaches to the Downs. It formed one link in a chain of coastal strongholds, including Hastings, Pevensey, and Arundel, that secured William’s new kingdom against rebellion and invasion alike.

Visiting Today

You can still climb the steep steps up to the keep and take in the same commanding view that once overlooked the Norman road north. Inside the walls, the museum tells the story of Lewes through Saxon, Norman, and medieval times.

lewes castle east sussex
lewes castle east sussex

It’s not just a monument — it’s a reminder of how one battle reshaped an entire country.

Practical Info

Location: Lewes, East Sussex
Access: Public entrance via Castle Gate, Lewes town centre
Best Time to Visit: Clear mornings or late afternoon for best light from the Downs
Nearby: Mount Caburn, Anne of Cleves House, Lewes Priory ruins

Nearby Places to Explore

  • Hastings Castle – The first Norman fortress in Sussex, built immediately after the Battle of Hastings.
  • Arundel Castle – Another early Norman stronghold overlooking the River Arun.
  • Pevensey Castle – The Roman fort re-used by William as his first landing base.
Bodiam, Castles, East Sussex, England, High Weald, History, South East, UK

Bodiam Castle – The Storybook Fortress of Sussex

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Introduction

Bodiam Castle looks like it has stepped straight out of a fairytale — a 14th-century fortress perfectly mirrored in its surrounding moat. Built by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III, it was intended both as a defensive stronghold against French raids and as a statement of wealth and power. Today, it stands as one of the best-loved castles in Sussex, drawing visitors from across the world.

Here’s a short reel from my visit to Bodiam Castle:

The castle’s location can be found on Google Maps and you can also explore it alongside my other places on All Map Locations.

A Castle of Defence and Display

Construction began in 1385 after Dalyngrigge received permission, or “license to crenellate,” from Richard II. The design — a near-perfect quadrangle surrounded by water — was as much about prestige as practicality. Its wide moat and single entrance drawbridge offered real defence, but the elegant symmetry and impressive towers were built to impress as much as protect.

Bodiam castle November light
Bodiam castle November light

The castle later passed through the Lewknor family and then, during the English Civil War, was partially dismantled to prevent military use. By the 19th century, it was a romantic ruin attracting artists and travellers. In 1829, the eccentric local squire John “Mad Jack” Fuller purchased the castle to prevent its destruction, ensuring its survival. Its fortunes changed again when Lord Curzon undertook major restoration in the early 20th century, before entrusting Bodiam to the National Trust in 1925.

Visiting Bodiam Castle

Wandering around the site today, you can cross the moat on the bridge, climb the towers for sweeping views of the Rother Valley, and look down into the ruined interiors where the great hall, kitchens, and chapel once stood. The moat itself teems with wildlife, while the surrounding landscape makes it a favourite spot for walks and photography.

Practical Info

Location: Near Robertsbridge, East Sussex, in the Rother Valley
Access: Managed by the National Trust, with paid entry and parking onsite
Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn for reflections in the moat, but summer offers longer opening hours
Nearby:

Castles, East Sussex, England, History, South East, UK

Pevensey Castle – From Roman Fort to Norman Stronghold

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Introduction

Few places in England carry as much layered history as Pevensey Castle. Standing on the edge of the Pevensey Levels, this site began life as the Roman fort of Anderitum, before being reused by William the Conqueror and later refortified through the Middle Ages, Tudor period, and even World War II.

Here’s a short look at one of Sussex’s most remarkable castles.

See more on Google Maps: Pevensey Castle
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Roman Origins

Pevensey began as Anderitum, a Saxon defence Shore fort built around AD 290–300. Its massive curtain wall, nearly 12 feet thick and over half a mile around, was designed to repel seaborne raiders. These Roman walls still stand today as some of the most complete in northern Europe, with distinctive red tile banding running through the stonework.

Norman Conquest

On 28 September 1066, William the Conqueror landed his invasion fleet at Pevensey Bay. He quickly turned the old Roman fort into his first stronghold in England, building a timber castle inside the walls. Within a year, William granted the site to his half-brother Robert of Mortain, who began constructing the Norman inner bailey in stone.

Pevensey view south downs east Sussex
Pevensey view south downs east Sussex

The inner castle was reinforced during the 12th and 13th centuries with towers, gatehouses, and curtain walls. It became a formidable fortress, enduring sieges in 1088, 1147, and 1264.

Later History

In the Tudor era, Pevensey was adapted as an artillery fortress with cannon emplacements to defend the coast. Even in the 20th century, the castle was reused — World War II saw the addition of pillboxes and gun posts, blending modern warfare into ancient stone.

Practical Info

  • Location: Pevensey, East Sussex
  • Access: Managed by English Heritage, with paid entry into the inner castle; the Roman walls can be walked freely
  • Best Time to Visit: Morning or evening for atmosphere; the mist over the Levels makes it especially striking
  • Nearby:

Conclusion

Pevensey Castle is not just one castle, but a timeline in stone — Roman, Norman, Tudor, and even wartime. Standing inside the walls, you are surrounded by nearly 1,700 years of continuous defence history. It remains one of the most remarkable historic sites in Sussex.

Castles, East Sussex, England, Hastings, High Weald, History, June, Ruins & Remains, South East, UK

Hastings Castle – The Ruins That Still Rule the Hill

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Introduction

Hastings Castle may be a ruin, but it still commands attention. Perched high above the Old Town on West Hill, it offers not just a window into the Norman past but one of the most breathtaking views in Sussex — castle walls in the foreground, the pier and coastline stretching out beyond. To me, that’s more than worth the entrance fee.

One of my favourite vantage points in the area — here’s the full video Short. If you’re exploring Hastings, don’t miss this spot.

A Castle That’s Seen It All

Originally a wooden motte-and-bailey built in 1066, Hastings Castle was soon rebuilt in stone by 1070, making it William the Conqueror’s first permanent stronghold after landing at nearby Pevensey. Over the centuries, coastal erosion, neglect, and storms have taken their toll — especially the Great Storms of the 13th century, which destroyed large portions of the site.

Hastings castle ruins west hill
View west from inside the grounds of the ruins of Hastings Castle on top of West Hill east Sussex south east England UK

By the Victorian era, what was left was romanticised as a ruin, excavated and reimagined for a new kind of tourism. Even the dramatic archways visible today owe something to 19th-century reshaping.

Not Just Crumbling Walls

Some people scoff at the £6.75 entrance fee, calling it expensive for “a few bits of wall.” But as a photographer and someone drawn to the atmosphere of old places, I see it differently. The framing of the ruined towers against the coastline is stunning, especially at sunset. And just standing there, imagining William himself looking out across this same horizon — that’s priceless.

This isn’t just about bricks and ruins. It’s about presence. It’s about putting yourself in the scene.

The Controversy

When I visited in June, a Pride flag was flying from the highest point. For some, it was a symbol of inclusion. For others, it sparked debate — was it appropriate to fly any temporary political or identity flag in place of the Union Jack at a site so steeped in national heritage?

Whatever your take, it stirred strong feelings. And that’s what these places do — they bring history into the present.

Practical Info

  • Location: West Hill, Hastings, East Sussex
  • Access: Best reached via the West Hill Cliff Railway or steep footpath from George Street
  • Best Time to Visit: Clear days for views; sunset for photography
  • Nearby:

Final Thoughts

Hastings Castle isn’t just a historic site — it’s a lens through which to view the past and the present. Whether you come for the view, the atmosphere, or the story, there’s something timeless here. And maybe that’s the point: the castle may be in ruins, but it still rules the hill.

Castles, East Sussex, England, History, July, landscape photography, Reels and Shorts, Ruins & Remains, Rye, South East, Summer, UK, Videography, Winchelsea

Camber Castle – The Lost Fortress of the Camber Inlet

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Introduction

Hidden in the low-lying fields between Rye and Winchelsea stands Camber Castle, a strange and striking ruin that seems oddly out of place — a fortress marooned in farmland, far from the sea it once defended.

This is the story of how a powerful Tudor stronghold built by Henry VIII became a forgotten relic of a vanished coastline.

Watch the video short below to see it from the air:

What you’re seeing here is more than just a ruined castle — it’s a monument to lost landscapes and shifting tides.

➡️ View Camber Castle on Google Maps
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A Sea Fortress with No Sea

Built between 1539 and 1544 on the orders of Henry VIII, Camber Castle (originally called Winchelsea Castle) was part of a chain of artillery forts designed to defend England’s southern coastline against threats from France and Spain. At the time of construction, the Camber was a wide tidal inlet of the sea, and the castle sat in a prime position to guard shipping lanes and protect the nearby ports of Rye and Winchelsea.

Its unique cloverleaf design — with four rounded bastions and a central keep — was built to house heavy guns and withstand siege warfare, reflecting Henry’s obsession with new, gunpowder-based fortifications.

But the sea had other plans.

Shifting Shores

Over the centuries, the Camber inlet gradually silted up due to longshore drift, storm surges, and natural sedimentation. The coastline pushed steadily seaward, leaving Camber Castle increasingly stranded inland. By the late 1500s, the once-coastal fortress was now over a mile from navigable waters.

Its military usefulness declined just as England’s naval strategy evolved. By the 1630s, it was abandoned.

Today, it sits in open countryside, its thick stone walls a ghost of the sea that once lapped at its base.

A Castle Reclaimed

Though long out of use, Camber Castle wasn’t entirely forgotten. It was visited by antiquarians in the 18th century, drawn by its unusual layout and melancholic setting. In recent decades, it’s become a managed heritage site under English Heritage and the Sussex Wildlife Trust.

Inside, Tudor-era graffiti still survives, scratched into the stone by long-forgotten hands. And around the site, nature thrives: skylarks, sheep, and sweeping views of Romney Marsh.

camber castle ruins rye east sussex
camber castle ruins rye east sussex

A drone flight over the castle reveals its layout clearly — and helps us imagine how it might have looked in the days when it stood watch over a busy inlet. We’ve even included an AI reconstruction in the video to bring that forgotten coastline back to life.

Practical Info

Location: Between Rye and Winchelsea, East Sussex, England
Access: On foot via public paths from Rye Harbour Nature Reserve or Winchelsea
Best Time to Visit: Early morning or golden hour for photography and wildlife
Nearby: Rye, Winchelsea, Camber Sands, Pett Level, Mary Stanford Boathouse

Final Thoughts

Camber Castle isn’t just a ruin — it’s a lesson in how landscapes change, how coastlines move, and how the ambitions of kings can be undone by mud and tide.

If you find yourself near Rye, it’s worth the walk. There’s something strangely powerful about standing in a field where the sea once crashed, and where the past still echoes off every stone.