Hever Castle was originally a medieval fortified manor house, founded by Walter de Hevere. In 1271, William de Hever founded the stone quadrangular castle, when he was granted a licence to crenellate. The square platform encased by two wide moats, supports a rectangular 13th century three storey gatehouse, with two square angle turrets flanking an embattled curtain wall. The courtyard is occupied, by an impressive range of early Tudor timber-framed buildings, added by the Bullen family. 4 miles east is Penshurst Place and 12 miles north-west is Bletchingley Castle.