Archetypal 14th century moated castle with ruined interior - a glimpse of medieval splendour
From 4 January - 13 February, the castle opens on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday only, 10am-3pm with last entry at 2.30pm. Bodiam Castle grounds, Wharf Tea-room, shops, car park and toilets are open every day, 10am-4pm. You don’t need to book your visit in advance.
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.
Bodiam Castle was saved from demolition by the MP John ‘Mad Jack’ Fuller, who bought the castle at auction in 1828. Fuller – an anti-abolitionist who held extreme views on the benefits of slavery – inherited huge wealth made from slavery in Jamaica, and he continued to profit from the sugar trade during his life.
In the impressive gatehouse is the castle's original wooden portcullis, an extremely rare example of its kind and, beyond into the courtyard, enough of the interior ruins survive to give an impression of castle life.
Please note: Entry to the grounds is included in our admission prices. Tickets must be purchased to enter the castle and/or the grounds. During peak periods access to the postern tower via a single spiral staircase is controlled. See our current admission prices here
| 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 |
|
Group Adult
Minimum group size 15
|
N/A | £10.45 |
|
Group Child
Minimum group size 15
|
N/A | £5.25 |
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
Free entry for National Trust members. Discounted entry on days when the castle is closed.
Last admission to the castle is 30 minutes before closure. The Riverside Second-hand Bookshop will be temporarily closed on 25-26 January.
