Set in the heart of an historic landscape, with spiral staircases, battlements and a portcullis, 14th century Bodiam Castle is one of Britain's most picturesque and romantic ancient monuments. It was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III, with the permission of Richard II, ostensibly to defend the area against French invasion during the Hundred Years' War. It is now in the care of the National Trust.

 

The castle is reputedly the haunt of a Red Lady, who has sighted on one of the towers. Witnesses walking near the castle after dark have reported audible phenomena, including sounds of revelry, foreign songs and "strange oaths".