Bodiam Castle image

Bodiam Castle

Tourist attraction Historical landmark Castle

One of the Best Places To Visits in Rother


Address

Bodiam, Robertsbridge TN32 5UA, United Kingdom

Website

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Contact

+44 1580 830196

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (6.6K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Monday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Tuesday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Wednesday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Friday: 10 am to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: castle (72) visit (19) walk (13) towers (12) great (11) history (11) good (11) worth (10) beautiful (10) moat (10)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Caroline B. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely awesome castle, and for what you’d pay to get in there’s a lot of castle to see for your money! I’m a member of NT so recommend that to anybody. Spiral staircases to the top of the towers which are steep but worth a climb as great views all around. Walk along a wall too!! Short video about the history of the castle. Bats living in the castle which I was fortunate enough to see. Lovely walk around the most and a steak train nearby to see go past. Friendly staff and excellent facilities like cafe, toilets etc. worth a visit, I’ll be coming back soon.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anabell 1 year ago on Google
    Best castle I have ever been. It's so nicely remained. You can see a lot of things inside. The lake and reflection of the castle was so cool to photograph. It's worth to visit. The people who work there are so friendly and nice. They know a lot about the castle. My son was asking so many questions and they answered everything they could. Thank you for this wonderful experience.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Harshil D. 1 year ago on Google
    A beautiful castle with lush green grounds perfect for a day out or picnic with family. Plenty of benches to sit and enjoy drinks/snacks with family. Entrance to the castle is ticketed, plenty of paid parking available. Short walk from parking to the castle grounds. Highly recommend this beautiful castle.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 George P. 1 year ago on Google
    It's a great castle to visit, with lots to see, so long as you are able bodied enough to enjoy it. It's a short walk to the castle on a gravel path up hill with a circular path round the castle and a patch of grass at the front. There's one permanent toilet at the car park and a temporary one by the castle which is open some of the time. The website says it's an accessible venue, however in our experience it was very difficult to get around on the gravel paths in the wheelchair and seeing all of the rooms in the castle was impossible as you could only access them by spiral staircases. This is understandable as it's a castle, but I'd have hoped this would have been explained on the website.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 J-Ney A. 2 years ago on Google
    Lovely place, you definitely need a car to get here. Haven't tried coming here by steam train but I imagine it shouldn't be too hard. It's a good day trip to do where you can arrive before 11 and finish by 3/4. It needs to have more historical content put around the castle wherever you can. I feel this is typical of most National trust places. There's more to the story than just the ruins. They could help tell the story with placards and posters.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Martin J. 8 months ago on Google
    Another National Trust place worth a visit. Car parking is coins only if you’re not a NT member (£4). It’s a lovely walk around the castle grounds and over a bridge into the ruins themselves. Lots to see inside and a couple of towers to climb up, which have steep spiral stairs and uneven steps.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mat D. 2 years ago on Google
    Although we couldn't get into the castle today (shut for viewing), the grounds were open. To be honest I don't think we missed much not being able to go in as it's pretty spectacular from the outside. Had a beautiful sunny day that helped! If you think "castle" then this is the place to go! Fascinating history. For heritage railway buffs there is even such a railway right on the doorstep. Plenty of parking, interesting small museum, funny friendly ducks....and lots of big hungry carp in the moat! Well worth a visit!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Raymond W. 11 months ago on Google
    It's been on my bucket list for many years. So 27/05/23 we visited, and we where very pleased with all the interesting things going on the castle its brilliant with all the history that you can either ask or watch some screens that tell you the story of the castle. Great fun for all ages. Nice tea rooms on site plants for sale. Also some really rare bats live in the castle.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Ash I. 1 year ago on Google
    Had a great evening with the family here! The castle is more about the sights if you're unable to climb the four 56+ step towers, but the view is spectacular! A quick walk around the castle's moat will show you the best angles of the castle, and the bridged entrance with fish in the water make a great photo spot.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dave P. 1 year ago on Google
    Had an excellent afternoon out here. Last visit was many years ago when I was on a school trip. It is a beautiful moated castle set in some lovely countryside. They have a really good gift ship with excellent Christmas gifts, and a lovely tea room. National Trust cream teas are the best.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kiran T. 11 months ago on Google
    Such a scenic place, it gives you the calmness of a royalty. Me and my wife loved the place. Plenty of space to walk on to and sit. Lovely staff from the trust too all smiles and energy. Loved it.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bill C. 1 year ago on Google
    Had a lovely visit to Bodium Castle. From the car park and visitor centre, where there are toilets a cafe and a second hand book store, it's a short walk up hill to the Castle easily manged in my wife's electric wheel chair. Inside the Castle was not so disabled friendly, but you can get around and see most of it. As you enter down to the left is a video room and an informative history of the castle. Staff have activity areas around the castle for children. Most of the stairways, and turrets are open, with lovely views of the countryside. Its a great moated castle one of the best to visit it really is.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 L. Brian W. 2 years ago on Google
    Bodiam Castle is a wonderful semi-intact castle in the middle of a moat and grounds. There are a lot of informative plaques around the ruins, and the ability to climb the towers allows for a fun experience. The kids loved it, despite the cold wind.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Devon A. 5 months ago on Google
    A wonderful delve into the history of castle was provided by a mini documentary in one of the rooms. It was truly interesting. The surrounding moat is filled with large fish which swam to the moat banks as if gesturing to be fed. The cafe at the venue was nice, although nothing special.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Philip M. 1 year ago on Google
    Surely THE classic 'castle' castle. Friendly staff, and enough to explore for a couple of hours, but also a few missed opportunities. The £2 kids 'dragon' activity fell short of what you might reasonably expect in 2022. Someone did their best when given almost no money, but it was pretty poor. (I'm being kind). There was very little interpretation unless you bought a book and the guide we overheard spent too much time telling people off. The cafe adjacent to the castle ran out of most food just after lunch. Certainly there was nothing for my young kids who can't eat dairy. No-one pointed me to the other cafe I'd missed by the entrance! The toilets by the castle are up steps - so useless with a kids buggy. The 'medieval fayre' was already pretty tired after a week of the school holidays. Bodiam is such a gift - these 'grumbles', as the NT will label them, could all be remedied with a bit of money, more staff, and some imagination. Fingers crossed. 🙂
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sami P. 6 months ago on Google
    We went for the Halloween trail and absolutely loved it. There are clear instructions, the 'rooms' (or ruins) were well decorated for Halloween, and the different activities were really nice. Staff is polite and helpful, all the way from the car park to the inside of the castle. The grounds and surrounding areas are stunning, perfect for a walk on a cold Autumn day. We will definitely go back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tony Fitzpatrick (. 2 years ago on Google
    Extremely picturesque. There is little attention to history perspective. In fact NT makes it feel as though it has none. But a good day out. NB a quick lunch is impossible within a one mile radius. Plan ahead as everywhere nearby treat you as though you're grateful to be let through the door
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John W. 8 months ago on Google
    We went here on a Thursday, and it was busy but great fun and lots for the kids to do with the summer fair part. Kids loved the play area with the toys and games for them to play with. The hay bales provided lots of fun and will revisit. Views from the castle were stunning!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jenni T. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a pleasant castle to visit for half a day. It's suitable for all except if you have difficulty with steps. This is because the spiral staircases to the top are both very narrow and exceptionally steep. But there's a solid handrail to the top. You can learn the history of the castle via a video. The views of the surrounding countryside are very picturesque. Also, catch a look at the carp in the moat - some are as big as small reef sharks. There is a cafe and loos and in high season there will be extra portaloos, I believe. On the day we went you could also try your hand at archery. We paid on entry but in high season it may be advisable to book. Enjoy your visit.

  • 5/5 Liam S. 11 months ago on Google
    Good activity and day out for the kids. Parking can be paid for inside the ticket office or out in the car park. From the car park is quite a small walk to the castle. There is a few things to do when you get inside the castle but not much from a point of view of the children and staff could have been more friendly. This still didn’t make us lose the stunning views of the castle

  • 4/5 Andrew G. 9 months ago on Google
    The castle is everyone's dream of a romantic castle. 4 round towers at every corner and an imposing gate tower in the middle. Sadly it's mostly ruins, but so easy to sit and use your imagination to bring the place to life. Definitely one of our favourite places to visit.

  • 5/5 Iain B. 8 months ago on Google
    Great example of a Medieval castle. Several towers can be climbed to give good views of the castle and moat. The castle is ruined which is fine in sunny weather but there isn't much cover if the weather isn't great.

  • 3/5 sarah l. 8 months ago on Google
    A castle own by NT. If not a member we think it's expensive entry for what you get. Pay to park if not a member . No dogs alowed at the castle itself. We are member of NT £11per adult. Under 5s free

  • 5/5 Jill B. 8 months ago on Google
    Only walked around the outside after closing time on a glorious evening. Fabulous views of the castle and surrounding countryside.

  • 5/5 krish k. 5 months ago on Google
    One of my favourite castles. This place is gorgeous. Even if you just visit from the outside using the public footpath you won't be disappointed. I love this gorgeous building set in an incredible moat and surrounded by beautiful trees. We visited in the autumn and so enjoyed the incredible rainbow of autumn colours.

  • 5/5 punisher14 5 months ago on Google
    Absolutely beautiful and amazing. The castle is steeped in history and Debby one of the National Trusts curators/guides is chock full of historical knowledge and presents it in such a way that regardless of whether you like history or not will have you entranced in the way she explains it all. Highly recommended but be ready to climb the steep castle steps though you will be rewarded with one of the best views

  • 5/5 I IGK (. 4 months ago on Google
    It’s a hidden very close to the main road. It’s very well kept. There is a coffee or across the road a traditional pub that you can treat. It’s good with kids or you can walk along the castle with your puppy. It’s worth to see it. It’s under the national trust umbrella. Go for it you’ll like it.

  • 5/5 Heather B. 6 months ago on Google
    It was a beautiful sunny day when we visited and the Halloween event was taking place. That was good fun, especially for the children. Don't know why we haven't been before. Grounds are lovely and there are plenty of parts to the castle to explore. They offer guided tours as well.

  • 4/5 Eric-Jan 10 months ago on Google
    Bodiam is an interesting castle which is very well preserved. Most likely since it was never really attacked. A nice view and good information about the earl who built it. That said, it will not blow you away compared to some other castles. If you're in the area, it is worth to pay a visit!

  • 5/5 GARY L. 9 months ago on Google
    Just what you expect an ancient castle to look like. Make sure you take the time to acquaint yourself with the story behind the building and its builders via the 15 video history that runs on a loop in the base of one of the towers. Plenty of detail can be found on the various information boards scattered around the ruins. There is a buggy from the carpark to the castle for anyone who needs it.

  • 5/5 Ian W. 10 months ago on Google
    Kids enjoyed the half-term treasure hunt event. We always enjoy visiting the castle and grounds this with an added bonus of the steam train running a short distance away.

  • 5/5 Pablo de M. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing place! It was a cold but beautiful day and the castle appeared in all its majesty, a solid and very well state of conservation. The views from the top are lovely and it is an atmospheric experience to walk around. There is a good parking, a nice cafeteria and it is easy to arrive.

  • 5/5 Charlotte G. 11 months ago on Google
    Stunning castle and beautiful location. We went for our second visit. Whilst works were being carried out on part of the castle which restricted castle access, we had a fantastic time walking around the castle and surrounding area. Definitely worth a visit!

  • 5/5 Miss S. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful place to visit. Guys and girls working the car park were great. Had a lovely cup of tea,.and a really nice walk around

  • 5/5 Paul S. 10 months ago on Google
    Very interesting place to visit. Guides are friendly and knowledgeable. A couple of good films to watch. Great views if you manage to climb the pretty steep tower stairs!

  • 5/5 Peter H. 11 months ago on Google
    Probably the most fantastical looking castle I've seen with its moat, portcullis and towers. You can climb to the top of one of the towers up quite a steep spiral staircase. There is a room which is home to bats which you can see if you're lucky, you can certainly hear and smell them. There is a small cafe/coffee shop on the grounds where you can get an ice-cream. Dogs are allowed on site but not allowed within the castle. Would highly recommend

  • 5/5 Richard F. 2 years ago on Google
    Great castle in fantastic condition. Allowed to go to top of towers which is great with health and safety gone mad nowadays. Well worth the visit.

  • 5/5 Ewa K. 2 years ago on Google
    Such an impressive, interesting and attractive castle. Placed on the water. Magnificent maintained and great activities for kids. Easy access, few cafes with taste food and icecream. Easy walk around the castle. Climbing upstairs the towers was no the easiest one but worth to climb up for this beautiful view. Highly recommended!

  • 5/5 Karolina S. 2 years ago on Google
    We really enjoyed the day out at the castle. Lovely countryside. The castle itself was amazing. It's actually ruins but well maintained and clean. Really great day out.

  • 4/5 paul t. 2 years ago on Google
    Daughter 5 liked it. Climbing up to see the bat's was her favourite part, followed by the pool. After this was the large fish in the moat. I really like the castle and the grounds Worth the visit

  • 5/5 Luke B. 2 years ago on Google
    Great, classic 'fairytale' style castle, really enjoyed walking around and taking some pictures. The cafe was good too, plus there's a nice pub across the road.

  • 5/5 Danae Vazoura A. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing experience ,good for all ages ,obviously there are a lot of steep steps, but it's an amazing place with loads of history ,during Christmas they had mother and father Christmas 🤶🎄. You can go in the towers and explore the inside ,home to a lot of bats . There are 2 coffee shops and they offer warm food as well. Must try the cream tea 🍵 here.


Call +44 1580 830196 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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