Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
Pinpoint
Bodiam, Robertsbridge TN32 5UA
Telephone 01580 830196
Possible Opening hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
A moated 14th-century castle whose exterior survives essentially complete, even though the interior behind the walls is largely open to the sky. It's the castle most people picture when they think of the word — turrets, drawbridge site, a moat full of fish — and National Trust runs it as a fully staffed, family-friendly site.
Worth the trip
Climbing the winding tower stairs and looking down into the moat, where reviewers report there's a crocodile-shaped feature lurking in the well for children to find.
Before you go
The car park fills quickly and it's an eight-minute walk from there to the castle across the moat bridge, so arrive early if you can; the tower stairs are steep and narrow, so reviewers flag it's not ideal for toddlers or bad knees.
Reviewers are consistently enthusiastic about Bodiam's picture-perfect moated exterior and the fun of climbing the towers, with several especially enjoying the dragon-hunting trail and interactive activities for children. Multiple reviewers flag that the stone stairs to the towers are narrow, steep, and not ideal for toddlers or bad knees, and the car park can fill up quickly on busy days.
Moated 14th-century castle; exterior intact, interior ruined
“Beautiful place to visit. Not overpriced. Informative staff, as usual. Visited on New Year's Eve. The video room provided an excellent history of the castle. The stairs up to the turrets were steep and narrow, not ideal…”— Sal Snook, visitor review
