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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
Opening times for 3 July 2024
Asset Opening time Castle 10:00 - 17:00 Car Park 09:45 - 17:00 Shop 10:00 - 17:00 Wharf Tea-room 10:00 - 17:00 Castle grounds 10:00 - 17:00 Riverside Second-hand Bookshop 10:00 - 16:30 You don't need to book your visit in advance. Last admission to the castle is 30 minutes before closure. Castle View Café opens seasonally.
MTWTFSS123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930311234OpenPartially openClosedWhole property off peak (from 1 March)
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £11.00 £10.00 Child £5.50 £5.00 Family £27.50 £25.00 Family, one adult £16.50 £15.00 Whole property (from 29 March)
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 Whole property peak (from 24 July)
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £14.30 £13.00 Child £7.20 £6.50 Family £35.80 £32.50 Family, one adult £21.50 £19.50 Whole property (from 3 September)
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 Whole property off peak (from 4 November)
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £11.00 £10.00 Child £5.50 £5.00 Family £27.50 £25.00 Family, one adult £16.50 £15.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Assistance dogs only
Assistance dogs only in the castle, Wharf Tea-room and shop
Dogs
Dogs on short leads welcome in the grounds and Castle View Café. Assistance dogs only inside the castle
Book shop
Second-hand bookshop by the river
Shop
Shop near the main car park for gifts, seasonal plants and a castle range
Cafe
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
Level 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
Please note: the buggy service between visitor reception and the castle is currently unavailable due to repairs and maintenance work.
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 £4 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 a jam-packed summer of family-fun with a medieval fair, outdoor theatre, archery, knight school, and more!
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
Knight School at Bodiam Castle
Experience action-packed tournament duels, arming the knight and get involved with storytelling shows and armour handling throughout the day, as performers from theatre company Histrionics deliver this interactive family-friendly event. 18–26 August 10am–4.15pm, drop-in throughout the day. Free event, normal admission applies.
Medieval Fair
Come with your family and enjoy playing with a host of medieval inspired games and activities against the stunning backdrop of Bodiam Castle. 24 July – 2 September, 10am–4pm. Free event, admission applies.
Outdoor Theatre: 'Henry V'
Join Changeling Theatre for an evening of Shakespeare, in the magical open-air courtyard of Bodiam Castle. A young superstar King has ascended the English throne. When his advisors tell him the French throne is rightfully his too, Henry falls for their persuasion. Friday 19 July, 7pm-9.30pm | Adult £25, Child £15
Outdoor Theatre: 'Beauty and the Beast'
Join Chapterhouse Theatre Company for a magical evening of a new production of Beauty and the Beast, in the atmospheric castle courtyard. Take a step into an enchanted fairy-tale kingdom full of song, mirth and joy. Follow Belle as she is trapped in an enchanted castle by a fearsome beast. Presented with lively original music and sparkling humour. 2 & 13 August, 6pm-8.30pm | Adult £22, Child £13.20
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
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
Living history at Bodiam Castle
Step back in time at Bodiam Castle and find yourself transported back into Medieval history with our range of Living History events. You will be able to meet characters who will bring medieval history to life.
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.
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
Bodiam Castle tour
Discover the story of Bodiam Castle and the people who built, lived and worked in it through the ages.
Event
Medieval armour display
Take a look at the medieval armour display in the castle and learn from our volunteer experts about how armour evolved during the Middle Ages.
Event
The Harvey Buffs: WWII re-enactment group
Be transported back in time to the Second World War with local historical group The Harvey Buffs.
Event
Children's summer crafts
Get creative and design your own shield or craft a pot or tile, inspired by the magnificent castle setting.
Event
The Castle the King Built trail with Nosy Crow
Discover characters from the book hidden around the castle and grounds. As you seek out each character, learn a little more about their real-life role at Bodiam Castle.
Event
Outdoor Theatre: William Shakespeare's 'Henry V'
Join Changeling Theatre for an evening of Shakespeare, in the magical open-air courtyard of Bodiam Castle.
Event
Medieval Fair at Bodiam Castle
The return of Bodiam Castle’s popular family friendly medieval fair!
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
Article
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.
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
Article
Our work at Bodiam Castle
Discover the National Trust's work to look after Bodiam Castle and the surrounding historic landscape.
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.