Bodiam Castle
Archetypal 14th century moated castle with ruined interior - a glimpse of medieval splendour
Bodiam Castle
Overview
Archetypal 14th century moated castle with ruined interior - a glimpse of medieval splendour
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
- Telephone
- 01580830196
- bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk
Bodiam Castle
How to get here
- Address
- Bodiam, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5UA
- By cycle
- Cycle route information
- By ferry
- Seasonal passenger ferry (April to September) from Newenden Bridge, Newenden village on A28 - operated by Bodiam Boating Station (www.bodiamboatingstation.co.uk). Booking advisable.
- By bus
- 349 Stagecoach from Hastings train station to Hawkhurst, stops opposite main car park entrance. Operates Monday to Saturday. A Sunday service will operate every Sunday until further notice.
- By train
- Seasonal steam railway from Tenterden town 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 (London Charing Cross to Hastings route) 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 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.
- On foot
- Sussex Border Path between Hawkhurst and Ewhurst Green goes through the grounds of the castle.
Bodiam Castle
Prices
Whole property
| 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 |
What is Gift Aid?
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:
- Gift Aid Admission
- Standard Admission
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.
Please note...
Free entry for National Trust members.
A child ticket is valid for anyone aged 5-17 years old. Under 5's are free.
A family ticket is valid for 2 adults and up to 3 children aged 5-17 years old.
Discounted entry on days when the castle is closed.
Bodiam Castle
Opening times
Please note...
Last admission to the castle is 30 minutes before closure. The Riverside Second-hand Bookshop will be closed on Wednesday 18 May.
Tuesday 24 May
- 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
- Castle View Cafe Closed
Wednesday 25 May
- 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
- Castle View Cafe Closed
Thursday 26 May
- 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
- Castle View Cafe Closed
Friday 27 May
- 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
- Castle View Cafe Closed
Saturday 28 May
- 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
- Castle View Cafe 10:00 - 17:00
Sunday 29 May
- 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
- Castle View Cafe 10:00 - 17:00
Monday 30 May
- 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
- Castle View Cafe Closed
Bodiam Castle
Contact us
- Telephone
- 01580830196
- bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Address
- Bodiam, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5UA