Bodiam Castle, England, Inside the Medieval Walls

When I imagine visiting inside a medieval castle, Bodiam Castle in Kent, England, comes exactly to mind. They say that there are only a few buildings that can rival its magnificent settings, and I could not agree more. Located on a grassy estate, its solid fortifications are surrounded by a large moat (filled with huge fish), and the only access is by a long bridge positioned at the back of the castle. I would say it is one of the best medieval castles near London.

Bodiam Castle in England is one of those places that would appeal to both adults and children alike. You can climb up the castle towers and explore the walls together, or take one of the guided history tours. During the Spring/Summer months, you have the addition of castle activities and characters dressed up in medieval costumes wandering around.

Walking along the tower walls in Bodiam Castle

Visiting Bodiam Castle

Although most of the inside of Bodiam Castle is in ruins, there are still many things to see and do at this historical site. You can climb the towers, walk along the walls, take a guided tour, see costumed interpreters, and attend demonstrations organised. During the spring and summer months, the castle also hosts various activities in the castle and the surrounding gardens.

If you’re planning on visiting Bodiam Castle, here is everything you need to know before you go, from how to get there to ticket prices.

History of Bodiam Castle

The 14th-century medieval castle is in the county of East Sussex, England, and was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge with permission from Richard II. Ostensibly to defend the area against French invasion during the Hundred Years’ War.

The castle itself has been sold to various people over the years. Eventually, Bodiam Castle was donated to the current owners, The National Trust, by Lord Curzon, who has maintained and opened it to the general public.

Inside Bodiam Castle

To reach the entrance of the castle ruins, you must cross a wooden bridge. Most of the interior of Bodiam Castle consists of ruins and should take you about an hour to explore, not including the surrounding garden. The entrance and the corners of the castle are protected by towers and topped with crenellations.

Here are some of the things to look out for and see inside the medieval Bodiam castle

• The main gatehouse – When you enter the castle courtyard
• The Chapel and window in the east wing
• The well in the south-west tower
• The three doorways that led to the kitchen, pantry, and buttery

Crossing over the moat to the entrance of Bodiam Castle, Kent

Walking along the upper Walls

You can still climb up the towers and overlook the inside and outside of the castle. If you listen closely when going from one tower to the next, you can hear the bats that live within the castle walls. Don’t worry, though, as the bats are more frightened of you than you of them.

Be careful, though, as the spiral staircase is steep with narrow treads and a steep rise. Make sure that you wear good shoes, so you don’t slip. The upper walls reminded me of walking along the one at the Tower of London.

Medieval singers and characters at Bodiam Castle

Medieval singers perform inside Bodiam Castle during the spring and summer periods. Plus colourful characters wandering around, helping with information about the medieval fortress. It’s really lovely to hear music when you walk in and see children dressed up as knights and princesses running around, giggling. 

Free guided tours inside Bodiam Castle

One of the best ways I enjoy learning about a historical place is to take a guided tour. They usually tell you stories you might not read about and show you points of interest you might not have seen.  

The National Trust offers free guided tours around the inside of the Bodiam Castle; they start at the bridge (over the moat), opposite the castle entrance. These tours last between 20 and 40 minutes and tell the secrets of the castle and its history.

medieval singers inside the ruins of Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle Tickets and Opening hrs for visiting 

Ticket Pricing Bodiam Castle

Ticket prices vary from peak to off-peak periods. Ticket pricing is per Adult, child, or Family (2 adults and two children) or one adult family (1 adult and two children). There are discounts available for group bookings (15 people or more), and children under 5 years old go free.

Prices of tickets include admission to the inside of Bodiam Castle and its surrounding grounds. Parking is an additional £5 for non-members. If you are a National Trust member, it is free to visit and park your car.

Booking your Castle ticket online

You don’t have to book your tickets in advance during the week to visit Bodiam Castle. However, it is recommended that during busier times like weekends and school holidays, it’s best to book beforehand. This will save you any disappointment and time. Here is a link to the National Trust pre-booking section.

Opening hours

The castle is open from Monday to Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm, throughout the year. During the winter, it closes at 4 pm, with the last entry being 1 hour before it closes. They are closed on 24^th and 25^th December for the Christmas period.

Facilities available inside and around Bodiam Castle

Use one of the audio guides

Use one of the audio guides to explore inside Bodiam Castle with the kids at your own pace. It is a great way to start your family-friendly visit with an audio adventure, ‘A Knight’s Peril’. A small deposit is required, but it will be returned when you hand back the Echo Horn that is provided.

Are there toilets available at the castle?

Yes, toilets and a baby change room are available in the car park entrance of the Wharf café. There are no other toilet facilities inside the castle. The main car park for the castle is a 5– to 10–minute walk away. If you need to use the restroom, it’s best to go before starting your visit to the castle.

Where can you eat?

There are two cafés available on-site at Bodiam Castle: the Wharf Tea Room and the Castle View Café. Wharf Tea Room is located at the main entrance car park and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The Castle View café is located opposite the castle near the entrance to the bridge over the moat. Bodiam Castle Inn across the road is also a good spot if you want a pub meal or drink. 

Is there parking available?

Yes, there is parking on site available at the main entrance. If you are a National Trust member, it is free; for non-members, it is £3 for all-day parking.

Walking around the moat at Bodiam Castle

Where is Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle is located near Robertsbridge in the county of East Sussex, England. It is roughly 67 miles from central London and around 39 miles from Brighton.

Address and Postcode: Bodiam, Robertsbridge TN32 5UA

How to get to Bodiam Castle

Getting to Bodiam Castle can be a bit tricky due to the location, especially if you do not have a car. On public transport, it will take around 3 & half hrs and you will need to change several times. If you don’t have a car and are looking for a day out to a historical site that’s easy to get to, I suggest Hampton Court Palace.

Directions by car

It is about a 2-hour drive (about 60miles) from central London to Bodiam Castle. The drive is relatively straightforward from London, as it is mainly along the A21 highway. On your way back, and if you have time, stop in at Scotney Castle, which is just off the highway.

Hire a car for the day

Alternatively, if you don’t own a car, consider hiring one for the day and make the most of the historical sites in East Sussex. There are numerous companies in and around London where you can hire a car. Before we owned a car, we used to use Zipcar, a car-sharing company.

Can you get a train to Bodiam Castle?

The closest mainline station is in Robertsbridge, about 5 miles away. You can get the train from London Charing Cross or Waterloo via the Hastings route. From there, you can get a taxi or an Uber, which will need to be ordered. Another option is to catch the train from London Bridge to Hastings, and from there, a bus will take you to Bodiam Castle. 

Trainline offers real-time information on train schedules and prices, and it also allows you to book tickets in advance.

Catch a Steam Train

Wanting to do something a little different and unique? How about catching a steam train? Seasonal steam train journeys depart from Tenterden town to Bodiam station, operated by the Kent & East Sussex Railway.

There are so many things to do at Bodiam Castle, like a walk along the tower walls.

Other Things to consider before a visit to Bodiam Castle

Taking your dog inside Bodiam Castle

Dogs are allowed in the grounds and around the moat at Bodiam Castle, as well as at the Castle View café, provided they are on a short lead. However, dogs are not permitted inside the castle ruins. If you want to go inside the castle, there is a dog water bowl and tethering point near the bridge entrance. This is a similar situation to taking your dogs to Hever Castle.

There are water bowl stations and bins available for your pet in the grounds, as well as dog paths. The Wharf tea room offers dog treats and doggy ice cream, as does Castle View Café. Assistance/Guide Dogs are welcome in all areas of the castles and cafés.

How long do you need at Bodiam Castle?

You only need around an hour to two hours to explore the castle’s interior, including the Tower walls and the moat. I would add another hour or two, if you’d like to have a picnic and participate in one of the activities. If you are travelling from London to Bodiam Castle and factoring in travel time, I would consider it a full-day trip. 

Take a waterproof jacket and wear good walking shoes

There is not much shelter available inside Bodiam Castle or in the surrounding grounds. The English weather can be unpredictable, especially during the winter months, so consider taking a waterproof jacket. Also, just like Tintagel Castle, the pathways are gravel and in some areas uneven, so consider wearing good grip shoes. 

I wore my Northface outdoors lightweight jacket and my Merrell Women’s Ontario Mid WP 39S Boot ankle boot. Both are lightweight and waterproof, protecting against unexpected weather changes.

Other related things to do in East Sussex

Tips and Additional information for inside Bodiam Castle

• The last entry is an hour before closing
• Online Bookings – You can book your tickets online to save time and money. 
• Opening Time – from 11 am to 5 pm daily (Inside the castle)
• Another National Trust property in the area worth a visit is the stunning Scotney Castle.
• Take a water bottle to stay hydrated, as the only place you can purchase water is at the shop/cafe.
• If you have time, visit the pill-box, which you will pass on your way from the car park.

Taking a walk around the moat that surrounds Bodiam Castle

If you are interested in exploring other historical sites, please read the following articles. All of them are located in England.

• Historic Pub, Food & Beer Tour – Old Docks, Wapping, London
• Climb up the Wellington Arch & learn the history, Hyde Park Corner, London
• A Palace Fit for a King Hampton Court Palace, Surrey, England

Have you visited Bodiam Castle in England and climbed inside before? Please feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.  If there is anything else you would like to know, please don’t hesitate to message me with your questions. Otherwise, you can get more information from the Bodiam Castle site.

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Disclaimer: I used my National Trust card to visit Bodiam Castle in Kent, England. All opinions expressed are my own and based on my personal experience.

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