cubitt purchased bodiam castle and its from fuller's grandson in 1849, possibly local farmer thomas levett, descendant of an old sussex family and owner of court lodge farm a seller in a later smaller sale nearby, for over £5,000 (£ today).. lord curzon decided that "so rare a treasure [as bodiam castle] should neither be lost to our country nor desecrated by irreverent hands". curzon made enquiries about buying the castle, but cubitt did not wish to sell. however, after cubitt's death, curzon was able to make a deal with cubitt's son; he bought the castle and its lands in 1916. curzon began a programme of investigation at bodiam in 1919, and with architect william weir more greatly restored parts of the castle. its museum, design and authenticity make it a significant english tourist attraction.