Bodiam Castle in East Sussex exemplifies both the logic and the beauty of late Gothic castles, which means those built in the 14th Century just before a more ordered way of life together with the development of gunpowder and cannon, rendered them obsolete. The almost square stronghold constructed of fine masonry is in the middle of a man-made lake. Round towers at each corner (curved walls being strongest as constructions and also most difficult to attack) gave views in every direction. There are square towers at the centres of each side, those on the north and south forming 'posterns' or entrance gates which could only be reached by drawbridge or boat - all this could surely not have been more sensibly organised? Yet turrets and water, bridges and battlements in the midst of lovely countryside - could anything be more romantically picturesque? The answer is Yes. It could, and possibly was, in its heyday in the 1390s.