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Bodiam Castle
Step into history at Bodiam Castle. This 14th-century moated castle with a ruined interior features spiral staircases, battlements and a portcullis.
Bodiam, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5UA
Important notice
Sunday 22 Dec - Due to forecast high winds the castle towers will be closed today. The car park is currently very busy, we recommend visiting after 1pm.
Opening times for 22 December 2024
Asset Opening time Castle 10:00 - 15:30 Car Park 09:45 - 16:00 Shop 10:00 - 16:00 Wharf Tea-room 10:00 - 16:00 Castle grounds 10:00 - 16:00 Riverside Second-hand Bookshop 10:00 - 15:30 You don't need to book your visit in advance. Last admission to the castle is 30 minutes before closure, or dusk if earlier. Castle View Café opens seasonally.
MTWTFSS2526272829301234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303112345OpenPartially openClosed2024 admission
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £12.10 £11.00 Child £6.10 £5.50 Family £30.30 £27.50 Family, one adult £18.20 £16.50 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Assistance dogs only
Assistance dogs only in the castle, Wharf Tea-room and shop
Dogs allowed
Dogs on short leads welcome in the grounds and Castle View Café. Assistance dogs only inside the castle
Bookshop
Second-hand bookshop by the river
Shop
Shop near the main car park for gifts, seasonal plants and a castle range
Café
Café opposite the castle entrance opens seasonally, serving drinks and snacks
Tea-room
Wharf Tea-room overlooking the river serves drinks, snacks and light lunches
Car park
Free parking for National Trust members, non-members £4 per car.
Toilet
Toilets, accessible toilets and baby changing facilities by the car park. Mobile toilets opposite the castle open seasonally
Accessible route and/or map
Gravel paths throughout the site with some slopes and undulating terrain. Level access to the castle courtyard only. The towers are reached by steep spiral staircases.
Accessible route and/or map - more informationLevel access to food outlet
Level access to the Wharf Tea-Room via gravel car park and paved area
Accessible toilet
Accessible toilet by the main car park next to the tea-room
Level access to shop
One of the two entrances to the shop has level access via a paved area
Braille (guide or menu)
Braille guides (SEB and VEB versions) available on request
Steps/uneven terrain
Level access to the castle courtyard. The towers are reached by steep spiral staircases
Designated parking
Five accessible parking spaces in the main car park, near the tea-room and shop
Transfer available
A buggy service is available for transfers between visitor reception and the castle.
Induction loop
Induction loops in visitor reception, tea-room and shop
Wheelchairs available
Manual wheelchair available at visitor reception
Large print (guide or menu)
Large print floorplan and castle guidebook available on request
By road
1.5 miles (2.2km) east, off B2244, 3 miles (5.6km) south of Hawkhurst. Look out for The Curlew restaurant on crossroads opposite turning to Bodiam. 3 miles (5.6km) east of A21 at southern end of Hurst Green village, midway between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings.
Parking: NT members free, non-members £5 per car. Pay onsite by cash or the 'Pay by Phone' app. £50 for un-booked coaches.
By train
Seasonal steam railway from Tenterden to Bodiam station: 1/4 mile. Operated by Kent & East Sussex Railway (www.kesr.org.uk). Mainline railway stations at Robertsbridge, 5 miles; Battle, 10 miles. No public transport links from mainline railway stations, only private taxis. No taxi rank at Robertsbridge - need to pre-book taxis. Taxi rank at Battle.
By bus
349 Stagecoach from Hastings train station to Hawkhurst, stops opposite Bodiam Castle car park entrance. Operates Monday to Saturday. A Sunday service will operate every Sunday until further notice.
By bicycle
Planning your visit
Article
Family-friendly days out at Bodiam Castle
Bring your little ones for a day of fun in the castle and grounds. Children love spotting the 50-year-old carp in the moat, climbing the steep towers, walking across the battlements and running in the wide-open spaces.
What's on at Bodiam Castle
Get involved with a host of events throughout the year. Enjoy festive themed events this winter.
Activity
Visiting Bodiam Castle with your dog
Bodiam Castle is a two pawprint rated place. Find out about visiting with your dog, where you can explore the castle grounds surrounding the moat together.
Article
Group visits to Bodiam Castle
Picturesque and romantic, Bodiam Castle in East Sussex is a great place to explore on a pre-booked group trip, or a school visit.
Article
Exploring Bodiam Castle
Discover what to see and do at Bodiam Castle. Climb the stone towers to take in the views, learn about defending a medieval castle and explore the impressive ruins.
Bodiam Castle map and guide
This map and guide will help you discover what remains of the medieval castle, and how it came to be preserved.
Highlights
Castle
Medieval castle with original moat, towers and portcullis. Scheduled ancient monument with open air interior.
Parkland and wider landscape
Landscape surrounding the castle includes wetland, grassland, veteran tree and deadwood habitats, alongside archaeological features. Nationally-significant bat maternity roost.
Eating
Wharf Tea-room overlooks the River Rother and serves hot and cold drinks, light lunches and homemade cakes. Castle View Café serves drinks and snacks.
Shopping
The shop is filled with gifts, homeware, a castle range and seasonal selection of plants. Riverside bookshop is stocked with pre-loved books.
Spotlight events
A Merry Medieval Christmas
Visit Bodiam Castle this winter, to discover Christmas medieval style. With plenty of natural foliage and greenery decorating the castle, find out about the extravagant feasts and celebrations that were part of a medieval Christmas. Dates: 30 Nov to Sun 5 Jan | Times: 10am– 3.30pm | Free with admission
A Merry Medieval Christmas trail
It’s a busy time at the castle getting ready for Christmas. From practicing your festive minstrel dance to finding out what was eaten at a medieval Christmas feast, there are plenty of games and activities to enjoy on this merry medieval trail, perfect for families to get in the festive spirit. Dates: 30 Nov to 5 Jan | 10am–3pm | £2.50, includes a small prize
Christmas storytelling
Be enchanted this Christmas by tales of dragons, knights, and castles as part of winter storytelling on selected weekend dates in December. Running throughout the day and 15-20 minutes in length, these tales are held in an atmospheric tower room. Suitable for young children and perfect short drop-in sessions for families. Dates: 30 November 1, 7, 15, 22 December | Times: 11.30am - 2.30pm
Live Christmas music in the courtyard
From handbell ringers to choirs, enjoy local groups performing your festive favourites. Sun 1 Dec, St. Dunstan’s Jubilee Ringers, 12pm–1pm Sat 7 Dec, Hastings Rock Choir, 11.30am – 12pm Sat 14 Dec, The Victorian Carol Singers, 2pm–2.45pm Sun 22 Dec, Cake and Wine Club Choir, 11.45am-12.30pm
Things to see and do
There’s plenty of things to see and do waiting to be discovered at Bodiam Castle. Step into history and take part in a host of family-friendly events all year round, including a medieval fair, re-enactment groups, activity trails, and more!
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Bodiam Castle
Discover things to see and do on a family visit to Bodiam Castle. Join in with activities and let your imagination run riot in this Medieval setting.
Article
Christmas at Bodiam Castle
For Christmas 2024 discover Christmas medieval-style at Bodiam Castle. Enjoy winter walks in the fresh air, treats in the tea-room, listen to stories in the castle and take part in a Christmas trail.
Article
Exploring Bodiam Castle
Discover what to see and do at Bodiam Castle. Climb the stone towers to take in the views, learn about defending a medieval castle and explore the impressive ruins.
Article
The grounds of Bodiam Castle
Discover what to see and do in the grounds of Bodiam Castle. Take a riverside walk, stop for a picnic or look for wildlife – from rare bees to bats.
Activity
Visiting Bodiam Castle with your dog
Bodiam Castle is a two pawprint rated place. Find out about visiting with your dog, where you can explore the castle grounds surrounding the moat together.
Article
Archaeology at Bodiam Castle
Discover the remnants of the past at Bodiam Castle through the work of recent archaeology digs.
Eating and shopping
Article
Eating and shopping at Bodiam Castle
Enjoy food and drink with a view at Bodiam Castle. Shop for gifts or a souvenir of your visit and browse for the perfect pre-loved book.
Upcoming events
Event
Christmas at Bodiam Castle
Visit Bodiam Castle this winter, to discover Christmas medieval style.
Event
Pooch Passport
Pooch passport is back! Explore new places with your furry friend until 28 February 2025. Find out more about the scheme and discover dog-friendly places to explore together.
Event
Christmas storytelling
Enjoy the magic of Christmas through festive stories told in a cosy castle tower room.
Event
Live Christmas music in the courtyard
Join us and listen to Christmas music from community groups against the stunning backdrop of the medieval ruins of Bodiam Castle.
Event
Winter spotter sheet
Get the kids out and active this winter with a spotter sheet of wildlife to look out for at Bodiam Castle.
About Bodiam Castle
Set in the heart of an historic landscape, with spiral staircases, battlements and a portcullis, 14th century Bodiam Castle is one of Britain's most picturesque and romantic ancient monuments.
Windows where arrows were once loosed, a tower that was once a look-out and ruins that were once walked upon by knights; this is a place where you can relive your childhood memories and let your imagination run riot.
A wide moat encircles the seemingly untouched Medieval exterior. In the impressive gatehouse is the castle's original wooden portcullis, an extremely rare example of its kind. In the courtyard, enough of the interior ruins survive to give an impression of castle life.
History
Article
A brief history of Bodiam Castle
Discover the history of Bodiam Castle. Find out who built it, its royal connections and what historic graffiti can tell us about the castle’s past.
Support us
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Volunteering at Bodiam Castle
Would you like to volunteer at Bodiam Castle? Come and join our friendly team, which helps to look after this 14th-century moated castle in tranquil East Sussex.
Join your local Sussex supporter group
Interested in making the most of the National Trust near you in Sussex? Members of National Trust supporter groups across Sussex help to raise funds for Bodiam Castle and other local properties, while also getting together for days out, talks and volunteering at their local places. Discover how you can get involved.
Art and collections
Bodiam Castle's objects and collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Bodiam Castle on the National Trust Collections website.
Our work
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Our work at Bodiam Castle
Discover the National Trust's work to look after Bodiam Castle and the surrounding historic landscape.
Article
Archaeology at Bodiam Castle
Discover the remnants of the past at Bodiam Castle through the work of recent archaeology digs.
Creating wildflower meadows at Bodiam Castle
Reintroducing meadows around Bodiam Castle isn’t just going to make for an attractive landscape, it also creates an abundant new environment for wildlife and wildflowers.