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Bodiam Castle
Archetypal 14th century moated castle with ruined interior - a glimpse of medieval splendour
Bodiam, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex, TN32 5UA
Opening times for 1 December 2023
Asset Opening time Castle 10:00 - 15:00 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. Castle View Café opens seasonally.
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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
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
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
Buggy service between visitor reception and the castle when volunteers are available. We advise phoning on the day to avoid disappointment
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
Christmas at Bodiam Castle
For Christmas 2023 at Bodiam Castle, enjoy winter walks in the fresh air, treats in the tea-room and photos on a festive sleigh. There's the chance to listen to a story in the castle, have a go at some festive crafts, enjoy some live Christmas music performed by local groups and take part in a Christmas trail.
Article
Family days out Bodiam Castle
Bring your little ones for a day of fun in the castle and grounds.
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.
PDF
PDF
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
Article
Christmas at Bodiam Castle
For Christmas 2023 at Bodiam Castle, enjoy winter walks in the fresh air, treats in the tea-room and photos on a festive sleigh. There's the chance to listen to a story in the castle, have a go at some festive crafts, enjoy some live Christmas music performed by local groups and take part in a Christmas trail.
Christmas trail at Bodiam Castle
Find the Christmas presents hidden around the medieval castle on this festive trail. £2 with a small prize. 25 November – 1 January (except 24-25 December), 10am-2:30pm.
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.
Christmas crafts
In this craft activity for children, get in the festive spirit and have fun creating your own hanging decorations, perfect to take home and display. 19 - 23 December, 12pm-2.30pm. £3 /£5 per item
Christmas storytelling
Be enchanted this Christmas by tales of dragons, knights, and castles as part of winter storytelling on 3, 16, 18, 19 & 22 December. Running throughout the day from 11.30am-2.30pm and 15-20 minutes in length, these tales are held in a cosy, grotto-style castle tower room. Suitable for young children and perfect short drop-in sessions for families.
Things to see and do
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
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
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.
Discover bats with the National Trust at Bodiam Castle
See an original short film of these nocturnal creatures as they fly around the atmospheric castle. Throughout the day during castle opening times.
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 trail at Bodiam Castle
Find the Christmas presents hidden around the medieval castle on this festive trail.
Event
A Bodiam Castle Christmas
Enjoy a magical Christmas at Bodiam Castle. With trees lining the courtyard, twinkling lights all around and atmospheric tower rooms, immerse yourself in the festive spirit.
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.
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
Christmas characters
Say hello to your favourite festive friends as you explore the castle courtyard and grotto.
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.
Article
Our work at Bodiam Castle
Discover the National Trust's work to look after Bodiam Castle and the surrounding historic landscape.
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
Project
Project
Creating wildflower meadows at Bodiam Castle
Discover how Bodiam Castle is encouraging plant and animal diversity on its estate with an exciting wildflower meadow project.
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.