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The 1st castle on the site was a moated mound built by William de Warenne. The present Grade I Listed building was erected by Stephen de Penchester between 1279 and 1299 incorporating earlier 12th century buildings. Building was continued by his son-in-law Sir Henry de Cobham in the early 14th century. It was forfeited to the Crown in 1554 and subsequently became 2 farm houses and eventually fell into ruins. It was rescued by Lord Conway and his architect W D Caroe who thoroughly restored the Castle between 1905 and 1929. The wing which divides the courtyard in half was built by Sir Henry Wyatt and contained a long gallery which was probably one of the 1st long galleries in England to be constructed. His Son Sir Thomas Wyatt, the poet, was born here in 1503. In 1951 the castle became home to a convent of the Order of Carmelites. It is currently the private residence of Sir Robert and Lady Worcester.