East Sussex with Kids: Bodiam Castle Review, National Trust

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Welcome to my review of Bodiam Castle, a National Trust site in East Sussex, that we visited with the kids via Tenterden Steam Train. We were fortunate to bag a free National Trust family day pass – hopefully you saw me share the offer on my Facebook page! So, we decided to pair it with a trip on the train (with their kids go free offer) and make a day of it. So, here’s what we thought of Bodiam Castle – and I’ve also included some history behind it, facilities, ticket prices and photos with the review, to help you to know what to expect if you’re visiting this site in East Sussex with kids.

Visit: August 2023 (Updated February 2025)

Where is Bodiam Castle located?

Bodiam Castle is in Robertsbridge, East Sussex, about a 25 minute drive from Hastings and around 1.5 – 2 hours from London. It’s well signposted and easy to reach by car, with parking available on-site. If you’re coming via public transport, you can take a train to Robertsbridge and then a bus or taxi to the castle. Or, for a more magical experience, hop on the Kent & East Sussex Railway (a steam train that leaves from Tenterden and stops near the castle) as combining the two activities together makes for a fun day out with the kids.

Who built Bodiam Castle and why?

Bodiam Castle was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III. At the time, England was constantly under threat from French invasion during the Hundred Years’ War, so King Richard II granted permission for Dalyngrigge to build a castle to defend the area. Interestingly, though, historians debate whether Bodiam Castle was genuinely a fortress for defence or more of a status symbol. While it looks formidable with its towers and moat, the castle lacks some of the strong defensive features that would be expected in a serious military fortification. This has led some to believe it was as much about showing off Dalyngrigge’s wealth and power as it was about protecting the region.

What was Bodiam Castle used for?

As I mentioned above, originally Bodiam Castle served as a home and a defensive stronghold for Sir Edward Dalyngrigge and his family. It was designed to be comfortable but also secure, with large windows and a layout that suggests luxury as well as protection. Over the centuries, Bodiam Castle changed hands multiple times, falling into decline after the English Civil War in the 17th century. Eventually, it was partially dismantled (a common fate for castles in that period) and it became a picturesque ruin. It wasn’t until the 19th and 20th centuries that restoration efforts took place, with the castle eventually coming under the care of the National Trust, who maintain it today for the public to enjoy.

What is Bodiam Castle like today?

Bodiam Castle is absolutely stunning – its exterior is very impressive and the moat and the grounds are beautiful. But, despite its picturesque exterior, Bodiam Castle is more ruins than castle as the interior is largely just remains, alongside a tower that you’re still able to climb. It’s also not as large as other places, like Dover Castle, and with no rooms to view it doesn’t take long to explore. But, whilst there’s not a huge amount to see or do, it’s a beautiful setting and a lovely place to have relaxing picnic. With it being just a short walk along a roadside pathway from Bodiam Train Station, it definitely goes well with a trip on the train!

As we visited in the summer holidays, they did have a few activities set up but these were definitely most suited to younger children and ours, and their cousins, weren’t really interested. There are some large grassy areas around the castle – we’d luckily brought a football so this kept the kids busy after lunch while we chilled and waited for our train back. In all honesty, Bodiam Castle isn’t a destination to fill a whole day out, as there’s very little to see and do, but if you have a National Trust Pass (and pair it with a trip on the steam train) it’s a scenic picnic spot for lunch. Check out my post on Kent and Sussex Railway for more info about the train.

What facilities are there at Bodiam Castle?

There’s a lovely little cafe area on the way into the site with picnic tables and loos, and the views of the surrounding countryside are lovely. In this area, you can fill up water bottles, get your tickets for entering the castle and visit the gift shop which had some sweet garden plants and ornaments available too. There’s plenty of parking if you’re travelling by car – it’s free for National Trust members but otherwise there is a charge.

What age group is Bodiam Castle suitable for?

Bodiam Castle can be appreciated by all ages, but there’s not a lot to keep the kids busy. It’s a shame as it’s a pretty site, but it’s another one that could do with a play area, or perhaps a nature trail. It’s also important to mention that the tower steps are quite cobbled and steep, so you may want to avoid the tower with elderly visitors or very small children. There’s also only one way up and down the top area, and it’s very narrow, so you’ll need some patience to get back down on a busy day. Though it’s a nice place for a wander, I don’t think Bodiam Castle lends itself as well for a day out with the kids as other sites like Walmer Castle or Dover Castle.

How much does it cost to visit Bodiam Castle?

I hope that my review of our visit Bodiam Castle, in East Sussex, with kids has been helpful. If you have a National Trust membership or, like us, managed to bag a free day pass over the summer then you can visit without spending a penny – if not a family ticket would set you back about £30. If you are visiting with kids, it might be good to look out for activity / event days so there’s more on offer to keep everyone entertained – as they’ll likely have things happening over the school holidays, and I’ve seen events like Easter egg hunts advertised too.

With a National Trust membership you can visit all of their sites at no extra cost – which is definitely the best option if you like exploring. It’s around £120 a year for a family membership, or just over a tenner each month if you pay monthly, so you only need to use it a few times to make it worthwhile. For home-educating families, you can get a year’s National Trust family membership for around £50 – which can be used term-time. Look out for offers near the summer months though – this isn’t the first year that the National Trust have given out free passes, so keep your eyes peeled near the school holidays if you fancy visiting one of their sites. Our favourite is definitely St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall!