Bodiam Castle - National Trust

Highlights ● One of the most picturesque castles in England ● Beautiful setting surrounded by water and countryside ● Easy and convenient parking ● Fantastic views from every angle ● Well preserved and full of character ● Vintage railway station nearby with working steam trains ● Great destination for families, history enthusiasts and photographers ● Plenty of open space to explore ● Café felt a little tired and grubby ● Second-hand bookshop was somewhat underwhelming ● Picnic tables are tucked away behind bushes and easy to miss Review Bodiam Castle is one of the most picturesque historic sites I have visited and looks exactly how most people imagine a medieval castle should. Surrounded by its impressive moat and set within the beautiful Sussex countryside, it offers stunning views from every direction and countless opportunities for photographs. The site is easy to access, with convenient parking and a straightforward layout that makes for a relaxed visit. Although much of the castle is now a ruin, there is still plenty to explore, and the remains do an excellent job of conveying the scale and grandeur of the original fortress. A particular highlight is the nearby heritage railway station, where visitors can often see working steam locomotives. The sight and sound of steam engines operating in such a historic setting adds another layer of charm to what is already a memorable day out. The café was perhaps the weakest part of the visit. While perfectly functional, it felt a little grubby and lacked the same level of care and presentation found elsewhere on the site. Similarly, the second-hand bookshop was somewhat disappointing and offered less variety and interest than I had expected. One small positive worth noting is the presence of picnic tables, although they are tucked away behind bushes and could be more clearly signposted as they provide a pleasant spot to sit and enjoy the surroundings. Overall, Bodiam Castle is a wonderful place to visit. Its iconic appearance, beautiful setting and fascinating history make it one of the most impressive castles in the South East. A thoroughly enjoyable day out and somewhere I would happily recommend to anyone with an interest in history, heritage or simply beautiful places.

· via Google

Bodiam Castle is what you would expect a Real Castle to be. We took our your grandchildren there for the day. They thought it was great. A moat surrounding the Castle is full of large fish. The guides are very helpful and tailor their information to the age of the group, so making it fun for kids. There are videos running inside the building telling of the history of the site and it's owners. Also plenty of places to explore and towers to climb. But be aware, the stone steps are narrow and very steep.... The cafe and shop are full of things to buy and eat! Free parking for National Trust members and an electric buggy to ride up to the Castle if required. On event days there is a special play area for young knights and princess.! A really good place to spent a day.

· via Google

Amazing place! best castle in the South East. The grounds are really well kept. We found a cool wax symbol on one of the walls which was intriguing. Carpark can get full quickly. 8 min walk from car park to the castle across the moat bridge. Best coffee and cake in cafe by the car park where you can also find toilets.

· via Google

Parking is easy and plenty of spaces. From the entrance it’s a short walk to the 14th century castle. The surrounding land is pleasant for picnicking but not like a National Trust Garden. Inside the castle walls you can explore the ruins and climb some of the towers but suggest a minor Trust property. Shops and cafe are of the usual high standard though.

· via Google