Bodiam Castle (National Trust)
Bodiam
Nr Robertsbridge
East Sussex
TN32 5UA
England
Website
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle
Main Office
bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk
Telephone
Main Office
01580 830196
Fax
01580 830398
When you think of a castle, you think Bodiam. Built by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge in 1385, Bodiam is one of the most beautiful and iconic medieval castles left in Britain today. Few buildings can rival its magnificent setting. With its long history and ensuing rich historiography it is a most excellent learning resource that must be utilised.
Bodiam Castle was constructed late in the 14th century at a time when the nobility were looking for comfortable residences as an outward symbol of their status and wealth, yet incorporating the latest military architecture. Bodiam, therefore, exemplifies the halfway point between the stern fortresses of earlier years and the comfortable mansions of the Tudor and Stuart periods.
Venue Type:
Museum, Heritage site, Castle or defences, Archaeological site
Inland Waterways Association - Boat Rally : 25th to 27th May 2013
This late May Bank Holiday weekend, Bodiam will host the Inland Waterways Association National Trailboat Rally. Come and see the boats as they trail past and moor beside our Wharf Tea Room on the River Rother.
Suitable for
Admission
Normal admission charges apply.
Booking Not Needed.
Car Parking: NT members free. Non-members: £2 Cars
£5 Coaches (unless pre-booked).
Ffi contact: Bodiam Castle, 01580 830196, bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Website
Winchelsea Dawn Chorus : Sunday 26th May 2013
Calling all nature lovers in the Winchelsea area! Come and enjoy a bacon butty and a mug of breakfast tea while you watch the sunrise over the beautiful Winchelsea countryside and learn about the rich wildlife of the area. Wear warm, weatherproof outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear. Bring binoculars if you have them. Quiet children welcome.
When
4-6:30am
Where
Meet at the Cricket Pavilion.
Admission
£5.00. Property admission charge does not apply. 01580 830196. Groups welcome.
The Great Cake Bake Competition' : 8th & 9th June 2013
A fabulous opportunity to enter your very own seasonal English cake in our competition. The winner will not only receive a trophy and goody bag, but will also have their cake named after them and recreated for sale in the Tea Room for the whole of July.
Suitable for
When
10:30am-2pm
Admission
Normal admission charges apply.
Booking Not Needed.
Bring your home-made seasonal cake or cakes to our Wharf Tea Room.
Car Parking: NT members free. Non-members: £2 Cars
£5 Coaches (unless pre-booked).
Ffi contact: Seth Gulliver, 01580 830074, seth.gulliver@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Website
'The Great Cake Bake Competition' : 8th & 9th June 2013
Are you a budding Great British Bake Off hopeful? If so why not, enter our local Great Cake Bake Competition here at Bodiam? A fabulous opportunity to enter your very own seasonal English cake in our competition. The winner will not only receive a trophy and goody bag, but will also have their cake named after them and recreated for sale in the Tea Room for the whole of July.
Bring your home-made seasonal cake or cakes to our Wharf Tea Room. Children very welcome
When
10:30am-2pm
Where
Cake entries accepted on Sat 8th June, 10.30 – 16.00 and on Sun 9th June, 10.30 – 14.00. Two categories - one for adults and one for children under 14. Winners will be announced on Sunday at 15.00.
Admission
Free. Usual property admission prices apply. Groups welcome.
'Have-A-Go-Falconry' - 15th & 16th June 2013
Come and see the beautiful birds of prey from the Hawking Centre. Watch a fascinating display taking place in the castle at 11.30. Then why not take the rare opportunity to fly a bird yourself in the castle grounds?
Have-a-go session takes place from 14.15 to 15.00.
Please note that the birds are unable to fly in wet weather. Children very welcome
When
11am-4pm
Admission
£2.50 to fly a bird. Usual property admission prices apply. Have-A-Go sessions are extremely popular so to avoid disappointment, book your slot to fly a bird of prey as soon as possible on arrival. Bookings are only taken on the day. Children must be 8 years old or older to fly a bird of prey. Groups welcome.
'Fathers' Day Lunch'
Treat your Dad to a day out at Bodiam Castle with a delicious two course lunch in our Terrace Room, a look around the castle and a chance to get up close to and fly some fascinating birds of prey from the Hawking Centre. Wear warm clothing for this mainly outdoors site. Children are welcome
When
12-2pm
Where
Meet at the Wharf Tea Room
Admission
Adult: £25.00 - Adult: £25.00. Property admission charge does not apply. Limited availability. 01580 831325.
'Fathers' Day Lunch'
Treat your Dad to a day out at Bodiam Castle with a delicious two course lunch in our Terrace Room, a look around the castle and a chance to get up close to and fly some fascinating birds of prey from the Hawking Centre. Wear warm clothing for this mainly outdoors site. Children are welcome
When
12-2pm
Where
Meet at the Wharf Tea Room
Admission
Adult: £25.00 - Adult: £25.00. Property admission charge does not apply. Limited availability. 01580 831325.
Wildlife Weekend - 29th & 30th June 2013
Help us celebrate national insect week with a variety of events taking place over the weekend including some amazing wildlife shows with the Hawking Centre.
Suitable for
When
11am-4pm
Admission
Normal admission charges apply.
Booking Not Needed.
Do wear sturdy shoes and outdoor clothing for this mainly outdoors site.
Car parking: NT members free. Non-members: £2 Cars
£5 Coaches (unless prebooked).
Ffi contact: Bodiam Castle, 01580 830196, bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Website
Wildlife Weekend - 29th & 30th June 2013
Help us celebrate national insect week with a variety of events taking place over the weekend including some amazing wildlife shows with the Hawking Centre. Do wear sturdy shoes and outdoor clothing for this mainly outdoors site. Children very welcome
When
11am-4pm
Admission
Free. Usual property admission prices apply. Car parking: £2 Cars
£5 Coaches (unless prebooked)
NT members free. Groups welcome.
Batty at Bodiam' evening : Friday 5th July 2013
Come and join us for this special 'Batty at Bodiam' evening to learn more about the bats that live in Bodiam's towers at our special bat talk evening, which includes a delicious 3-course meal. Weather permitting there will also be a walk to view the bats in flight in and around the castle.
Suitable for
When
7-10:30pm
Admission
All tickets: £40
Booking Essential.
Wear suitable warm clothing for an outdoor walk and bring a torch.
Ffi contact: Jane Coveney, 01580 831325, jane.coveney@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Website
Art at the Castle' : 6th & 7th July 2013
Separate charges apply for the individual activities. Sheild painting charge is shown, other activity charges will be posted later in the year.
Suitable for
When
11am-4pm
Admission
Per Item: £5
Plus normal admission charges.
Booking Not Needed.
Car parking: NT members free. Non-members: £2 Cars
£5 Coaches (unless pre-booked).
Ffi contact: Bodiam Castle, 01580 830196, bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Website
Dress to Impress' : 6th & 7th July 2013
Let our friendly squires and maids transform you into a knight, princess, lord or even the castle jester using our collection of replica medieval armour and costumes. £1 per person. Costumes suitable for children ages between 18 months and 80 years!
Suitable for
When
11am-4pm
Admission
All tickets: £1
Plus normal admission charges.
Booking Not Needed.
Car parking: NT members free. Non-members: £2 Cars
£5 Coaches (unless pre-booked).
Ffi contact: Bodiam Castle, 01580 830196, bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Website
Winchelsea Nocturnal Noises Countryside Event : 13th July 2013
Test your eyes and ears as you take a night tour around Winchelsea with one of our countryside experts.
Suitable for
When
9-11pm
Admission
Booking Essential.
Wear suitable clothing for night-time sleuthing.
Limited to 20 places.
Ffi contact: Bodiam Castle, 01580 830196, bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Website
Adventures in Archaeology' : 20th & 21st July 2013
See what's been uncovered at Bodiam over the years and have a go yourself at digging for treasure in our sand pit. Who knows what you will find?
Suitable for
When
11am-4pm
Admission
All tickets: £1.5
Plus normal admission charges.
Booking Not Needed.
Car Parking: NT members free. Non-members: £2 Cars, £5 Coaches (unless pre-booked).
Ffi contact: Bodiam Castle, 01580 830196, bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Website
Have-A-Go-Archery : 25th July - 3rd September 2013
"Hands on History" are back at Bodiam with their longbows, mini crossbows and a paintball cannon for you to try your skills. Separate charges apply.
Suitable for
Admission
Per Item: £1 10 mini crossbow bolts
Per Item: £2.5 12 paintball shots
Per Item: £3 6 arrows
Per Item: £5 12 arrows
Plus normal admission charges.
Booking Not Needed.
Car Parking: NT members free. Non-members: £2 Cars
£5 Coaches (unless pre-booked).
Ffi contact: Bodiam Castle, 01580 830196, bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Website
The Trebuchet in Action' : 25th July - 3rd September 2013
Come along and witness a full-size replica trebuchet (a medieval catapult used in castle sieges) in action!
Suitable for
Admission
Normal admission charges apply.
Booking Not Needed.
Car Parking: NT members free. Non-members: £2 Cars
£5 Coaches (unless pre-booked).
Ffi contact: Bodiam Castle, 01580 830196, bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Website
Family Fun Day' : Wednesday 1st August 2013
Join us at Bodiam as we celebrate Lammas, the medieval festival of wheat harvest, with lots of fun activities for all the family including various arts and crafts, displays and demonstrations and much more. A small additional charge applies for most activities.
Suitable for
When
11am-4pm
Admission
Normal admission charges apply.
Booking Not Needed.
Car parking: NT members free. Non-members: £2 Cars
£5 Coaches (unless pre-booked).
Ffi contact: Bodiam Castle, 01580 830196, bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Website
Knight & Princess Academy : 20th - 23rd August 2013
The 45 minute training sessions will include dressing up in a costume, craft activities and, of course, training in how to be a knight or princess. After a formal graduation ceremony you will receive your own special memento to take away with you. Suitable for children aged 4 and over.
Suitable for
Admission
Child: £5
Plus normal admission charges.
Booking Essential.
No Castle admission is necessary for this activity but car parking charges still apply: NT members free. Non-members: £2 Cars
£5 Coaches (unless pre-booked).
Ffi contact: Bodiam Castle, 01580 830196, bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Website
Education Activities In a Nutshell
Foundation Stage: A fun story based activity session incorporating role play in one of our authentic tower rooms. 45 Minutes in length.
Key Stage 1 - 4 (age/KS appropriate): Two complementing sessions - an interactive tour of the Castle where pupils are introduced to the day-to-day running of medieval Bodiam, and an exciting hands-on armour room session with an opportunity for the children to try on medieval armour. Both sessions are 45 minutes in length.
How to obtain
Visit can be entirely self-guided or led by our Education Team here at Bodiam (Monday-Friday, term-time only). These run in 45minute sessions from 10:45 with a maximum of fifteen pupils in each. We can cater to any size group, however. All activities are age appropriate, in tune with current National Curriculum initiatives, and can be tailored to suit the individual needs of the group. For more information on what Bodiam can offer you individually, please contact our Learning Officer on 01580 831322, or alternatively email bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Guided Tours
For those of you unlucky enough not to know the ins and outs of Bodiam's colourful history one of our castle characters, a bonified member of the 'Bodiam Household', will be happy to show you around.
Languages
- French
How to obtain
To book a guided tour please contact the main office on 01580 830196 for assistance. There will be an additional charge of £2.50 per person to participate which is payable on the day or your visit.
Tours last approximatly 45 minutes and can be tailored to your own interests but please do let the office know when you book.
Medieval Activity Days
Specialist interpretation company, Happening History, bring history into being with their displays on medieval life. They provide a hands-on session (45 minutes long) that encompasses both medieval life and times, and arms and armour. These are designed for larger groups (60+).
How to obtain
Visit can be entirely self-guided or led by our Education Team here at Bodiam (Monday-Friday, term-time only). These run in 45minute sessions from 10:45 with a maximum of fifteen pupils in each. We can cater to any size group, however. All activities are age appropriate, in tune with current National Curriculum initiatives, and can be tailored to suit the individual needs of the group. For more information on what Bodiam can offer you individually, please contact our Learning Officer on 01580 831322, or alternatively email bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.
