Bodiam Castle

Created page: 28/09/02

This is Bodiam Castle, Sussex. One of my favourites.

Bodiam Castle was built by Royal Licence of October 1385 'for defence of the adjacent country and the resistance to our (The King's) enemies.' Destined never to stand siege, dismantled in the seventeenth century, Bodiam remains the outstanding example of Medieval Military Architecture. It incorporated the latest military design features of the day but at the same time was a well appointed mansion for its builder Sir Edward Dalyngrigge.

The virtual completeness of the exterior makes it a picture book castle, and children enjoy the adventure of discovering every nook and cranny, not to mention the spiral staircases and battlements. Although a ruin, the floors have been replaced in some of the towers, and it is possible to go right to the top and enjoy impressive views of the surrounding countryside.

In one of the towers, there is an audio visual display about life in a medieval castle and in another, a video showing how a knight was armed. A museum is situated next to the ticket office.

(The English Castles Almanac 1992)

For more information on opening times, etc click here

Admission: £3.90; child £1.95; family £9.75. Booked parties £3.30. Car park ¼ml, £2 (NT members free); coaches £5

Below are postcard pictures