Bodiam Castle
East Sussex, England
Photo: Antony McCallum, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Mydogategodshat, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- National Trust Explorer Pass
- Nearest station
- Robertsbridge, 3.5 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Moated 14th-century castle; exterior intact, interior ruined
Pinpoint
Bodiam, Robertsbridge TN32 5UA
Telephone 01580 830196
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 25 August - 1 November | Castle - Daily 10:00 - 17:00 |
| 2 November - 20 December | Castle - Daily 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. Individual dates outside these ranges are on the official page.
Checked against the official page on 25 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Dogs
- Rated a two-pawprint site; dogs can explore the castle grounds around the moat.
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.
At a glance
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.
What visitors say
Bodiam Castle reviews · 4.7 / 5 across 8,078 Google reviews
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.
“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
Within reach of Southend-on-Sea (38 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Getting in - what National Trust says
Level access to the castle courtyard only - the towers are reached by steep spiral staircases. Gravel paths throughout the site with some slopes and undulating terrain. Five accessible parking spaces in the main car park near the tea-room and shop, and an accessible toilet by the main car park. A manual wheelchair is available at visitor reception, and a volunteer-run buggy service transfers visit
Taken from National Trust’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
History
Sir Edward Dalyngrigge · 1385
A moated quadrangular castle built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a mercenary who had raised wealth through military service in France. The castle later passed through the Lewknor and Tufton families, was dismantled during the Civil War, then partially restored by successive owners before entering National Trust care in 1925.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Plan your visit
- Combine this with
- Sissinghurst Castle Garden is only 8.0 miles away - worth pairing into the same day. See Sissinghurst Castle Garden →
- Tickets & opening times
- Check current prices and hours with the operator before travelling - details change more often than any directory can track.
- Data checked
- Ratings, review counts and the visitor-note quotes above were drawn from publicly available Google reviews. Castles change hands and adjust hours faster than any directory can track in real time.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Free parking for National Trust members and an electric buggy to ride up to the Castle if required.” - Mike Drew
- Terrain & accessibility
- “The stairs up to the turrets were steep and narrow, not ideal for toddlers or bad knees.” - Sal Snook
- Facilities
- “Best coffee and cake in cafe by the car park where you can also find toilets.” - wooden it be nice
Common questions about Bodiam Castle
Where is Bodiam Castle?
Bodiam Castle is in East Sussex, England, at Bodiam, Robertsbridge TN32 5UA.
Do you need a ticket to visit Bodiam Castle?
Yes - Bodiam Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by National Trust. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Bodiam Castle?
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.
Is Bodiam Castle a ruin or still intact?
Bodiam Castle is a partial ruin - Moated 14th-century castle; exterior intact, interior ruined.
