Sepia-tinted postcard showing a view of the public gardens of Rochester Castle. Ink: [personal message] [address in Ilminster supplied]. Rochester Castle was built in the 1120s and remained a fortress until the 16th century; in the 17th, it was already a tourist attraction and no longer used for defensive purposes; portions were demolished and the stones re-used for construction elsewhere during the 18th century. Gardens had been created within its precincts by the 19th century, and while the castle was still privately owned, it was planted with trees as a picturesque ruin; it was leased to the Council for use as a public park in 1870, and opened to the public the following year. The site was bought by the Corporation in 1884, the castle partially repaired, and in the 20th century the tree planting was scaled back