[1] First built in 1818-20 by James Louis West, on the site of the farmhouse of Maplehurst, it was bought by Benjamin Harding in 1838, for whom it was remodelled to its present appearance by the architect Edward Buckton Lamb.

The existing parkland was also developed at the same time, and the terraced gardens, and entrance lodge on the present B2099, were added.

[4] His father was John Daniel Lucadou, a banker in London who founded one of the banks which in later years became NatWest.

Aylmer extended the area around the property by buying nearby farms and also changed its name from Maplehurst to Wadhurst Castle.

She was the personal friend of Maria Louise Ramé, a famous English novelist who came to visit her at Wadhurst Castle.

[10] Benjamin commissioned the famous architect Edward Buckton Lamb to remodel the Castle.

[11] The Winter Garden was added and the outside of the castle was embellished with further turrets, spires and window tracery.

In 1846, he had married Mary Elizabeth Georgiana Watson Hay (1820-1900) and moved into the castle ith his bride.

The couple had no children so when Edward died in 1869 he left the property to his brother Robert Watson-Smyth.

The 1881 Census records them living at Wadhurst Castle with three of their daughters, a butler, a cook, a ladies maid and three domestic servants.

[17] He sold the property in 1931 to Paul Geoffrey Bankart[18] who continued operating the castle as a country club.

He repaired the castle and lived there for some time with his wife Alice Esther (née Robbins).