Papa and I were up early this morning, so we walked from our B and B to Hermonstceux Castle, nearby. It was purchased by a Canadian University several years ago and is still in use.
After breakfast, we set off for the day, visiting Bateman's, Rudyard Kipling's home.
We had interesting conversations with the docents and enjoyed our tour. Before leaving home, I purchased a membership to Royal Oak Foundation, a sister organization of the UK's National Trust. Our membership in Royal Oak gave unlimited entry to 350 National Trust properties, so I planned our UK trip to visit as many castles, gardens, and manor houses as time would allow.
Next up was Scotney Castle and Gardens, where the original moated castle, built in the 1300's, was mostly demolished in the late 1800's, with much of the stone used to build a new manor house,
to overlook the remaining old castle, as part of the gardens. The "new" manor house was
occupied until the last owner died at 99 years old, in 2006. Margaret Thatcher
rented an apartment in Scotney Castle for many years.
We went to Sissinghurst Gardens, the site of an ancient castle ruin, developed into
one of the UK's most beautiful and well known gardens, from the 1930's to the 1960's.
Our last stop of the day was at Bodiam Castle, built in the 1300's. Bodiam is surrounded
by a moat, and is a ruin on the inside, but the exterior has stood the test of time.
It was almost 5 when we arrived at Bodiam and a light rain was falling.
