Bodiam Castle and Ewhurst Green

A Well Preserved Castle Overlooking a Tranquil River Valley

Few castles look as impressive or impregnable as Bodiam Castle. The massive circular towers gave a wide field of fire for bowmen and primitive artillery, while the wide, deep moat eliminated the possibility of undermining, a favourite tactic of besieging medieval armies. Bodiam Castle was built by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, completed in 1388, and represented the distilled experience of 300 years of castle building in response to French raids during the Hundred Years' War.

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Start Point

Bodiam Castle

Grid Ref: TQ 78383 25422

Total Distance

5.8 miles (9.4 km)

Total Climbing

137 metres

Estimated Time

3 hours

Difficulty Grade

Moderate

Trail Navigation Files:

💾 Download GPX Route Google Earth (KMZ) 📖 Visit Bodiam Castle

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

Essential paper map for exploring High Weald, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Cranbrook, Hawkhurst and Bewl Water:

136 High Weald & Royal Tunbridge Wells →

The Walk Report

The walk begins by rounding three sides of the moat before heading uphill past a Gothic schoolhouse. Following the banks of the River Rother past the Castle Inn and Udium, the route climbs to Snagshall and the village of Ewhurst Green.

Here you can visit St James the Great Church and enjoy refreshments at The White Dog Inn. The return leg passes along the restored Kent and East Sussex Railway line, offering wonderful views of Bodiam Castle and surrounding vineyards before returning to the start.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.

Bodiam Castle and Ewhurst Green

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)

The Walk Report

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