Bolebroke Castle

Bolebroke Castle stands on a quiet lane north of Hartfield in East Sussex. Built around 1480, it is a 15th-century hunting lodge with a Grade II* listing. The moated house once hosted Henry VIII during his hunts in Ashdown Forest. Five miles away lies Hever Castle, where the king pursued Anne Boleyn. The castle also appears in the 2008 film The Other Boleyn Girl. The grounds once housed a miniature railway that ran among the trees. Ashdown Forest’s wide paths and heathland begin just beyond the moat. Visitors can walk the same rides Henry VIII used for boar and deer hunting. The brick walls still frame views across the Weald. Inside, oak beams and fireplaces recall the 15th century. The moat is crossed by a small bridge to the entrance. The miniature railway’s track bed remains visible under the oaks. The castle’s quiet setting offers a glimpse of Tudor life away from court.