Bodiam Castle (National Trust)
Bodiam
Nr Robertsbridge
East Sussex
TN32 5UA
England
Website
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiamcastle
Main Office
bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk
Learning Officer
caroline.gill@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
Bodiam
Nr Robertsbridge
East Sussex
TN32 5UA
England
Website
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiamcastle
Main Office
bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk
Learning Officer
caroline.gill@nationaltrust.org.uk
Telephone
Main Office
01580 830196
Fax
01580 830398
Collections services
- Public access available to collections information
Bodiam
Nr Robertsbridge
East Sussex
TN32 5UA
England
Website
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiamcastle
Main Office
bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk
Learning Officer
caroline.gill@nationaltrust.org.uk
Telephone
Main Office
01580 830196
Fax
01580 830398
A Knight’s Trail
Calling all detectives! Follow the trail around the castle and solve the clues to claim your special prize.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
Admission
No booking required.
£2 per child plus normal castle admission
Dress to Impress
Let us transform you into a knight, princess, lord or jester using our collection of replica medieval armour and costumes.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Especially for children
When
11am-3pm
Admission
No booking required.
£2 per child plus normal castle admission. Suitable for children 18mnths and above
Dress to Impress
Let us transform you into a knight, princess, lord or jester using our collection of replica medieval armour and costumes.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Especially for children
When
11am-3pm
Admission
No booking required.
£2 per child plus normal castle admission. Suitable for children 18mnths and above
Lovers’ Lunch
Treat your loved one to a delicious chocolate themed 2-course lunch in The Terrace Room followed by a romantic stroll around the castle and grounds.
When
11:30am-2:30pm
Admission
Booking essential. Please contact Seth Gulliver on 01580 830074
£25 per person including castle entrance and parking for the day.
Dress to Impress
Let us transform you into a knight, princess, lord or jester using our collection of replica medieval armour and costumes.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Especially for children
When
11am-3pm
Admission
No booking required.
£2 per child plus normal castle admission. Suitable for children 18mnths and above
Dress to Impress
Let us transform you into a knight, princess, lord or jester using our collection of replica medieval armour and costumes.
Suitable for
- Any age
- Especially for children
When
11am-3pm
Admission
No booking required.
£2 per child plus normal castle admission. Suitable for children 18mnths and above
Hawking Experience
Join us for a fascinating Birds of Prey morning, with plenty of opportunities to have a go at flying some birds yourself followed by a delicious 2 course lunch.
When
11am-3pm
Admission
Booking essential. Please contact Seth Gulliver on 01580 830074
£40 per person
The Great Cake Bake Competition
Calling all cake bakers! 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 April.
Cake entries accepted Saturday 10th March 10.30 – 16.00 and Sunday 11th March 10.30 – 14.00. Please note there will be two categories - one for adults and one for children under 14.
Winner will be announced on Sunday 11th March at 15.00.
When
-
Admission
No booking required
Medieval Merriments
As you stroll around the castle, enjoy the sounds of live medieval music with our trio of musicians from Portcullis and watch our medieval dance display. There is even the opportunity to join in and learn a few dance moves yourself.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
11am-4pm
Admission
No booking required
Normal castle admission applies
Mothers’ Day Treat
Spoil your Mum with a lovely day out at Bodiam. Take a leisurely stroll around the castle and grounds, followed by a delicious 2-course lunch in The Terrace Room. Our musicians from Portcullis will drop by to entertain you with their medieval music.
When
11:30am-2:30pm
Admission
Booking essential. Please contact Seth Gulliver on 01580 830074
£25 Adults, £11 children including castle entrance and parking for the day
The Bodiam Household
Enjoy regular talks taking place throughout the day by the costumed members of The Bodiam Household.
Suitable for
- Any age
Dress to Impress
Be transformed in to a knight, princess, lord or jester using our collection of replica medieval armour and costumes
Suitable for
- Especially for children
Admission
No booking required.
£2 per child plus normal castle admission. Suitable for children 18 months and above
Dragons’ Lair
Come and meet the legendary dragons from Alchemy. Children are welcome to join in with the dragon procession and storytelling
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Admission
No booking required
Normal castle admission applies
Dragons’ Quest Trail
Follow our Dragons’ Quest children’s trail around the castle to claim your yummy prize. (Trail sponsored by Cadbury’s)
Suitable for
- Especially for children
Admission
No booking required
£2 per child plus normal castle admission.
Easter Bunny Trail
Follow our Easter Bunny trail around the castle and claim your yummy prize at the end.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
Admission
No booking required.
£2 per child plus normal castle admission
Children’s Adventures in Archaeology
Dig for treasure in our archaeology sand pit. You can even take some of the treasure you find home with you.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
When
11am-4pm
Admission
No booking required.
£1.50 per child plus normal castle admission.
Hobby Horse Jousting
Ever imagined what it must have been like to joust in medieval times? Here is your chance to give it a go and get your very own competitor’s certificate to keep at the end.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
When
11am-4pm
Admission
No booking required. Suitable for children 3 years and above.
Have –A –Go Falconry
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 14.15 – 15.00.
When
11am-4pm
Admission
Normal castle admission applies for morning display.
£2.50 per person to fly a bird. Booking on the day, children must be 8 and above, spaces limited
The Green Man Trail
Search out all the green man sculptures hidden around the castle and then claim your prize.
Suitable for
- Especially for children
Admission
No booking required
£2 per child plus normal castle admission.
The Living Castle
The Bodiam Household provide snapshots of life in medieval times. Who knows who you will bump in to, maybe the kitchen servant preparing pottage, the castle weavers or even Lord and Lady Dallingridge themselves.
Admission
No booking required. Normal castle admission applies.
Hawking Experience
Join us for a fascinating Birds of Prey morning, with plenty of opportunities to have a go at flying some birds yourself followed by a delicious 2 course lunch.
When
11am-3pm
Admission
Booking essential. Please contact Seth Gulliver on 01580 830074.
£40 per person
Walking Weekend
Join us for a leisurely guided walk around the Castle Grounds and local village.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
11am-
Admission
Free, no booking required
Walking Weekend
Join us for a leisurely guided walk around the Castle Grounds and local village.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
12:30pm-
Admission
Free, no booking required
Walking Weekend
Join us for a leisurely guided walk around the Castle Grounds and local village.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
2pm-
Admission
Free, no booking required
Walking Weekend
Join us for a leisurely guided walk around the Castle Grounds and local village.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
11am-
Admission
Free, no booking required
Walking Weekend
Join us for a leisurely guided walk around the Castle Grounds and local village.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
12:30pm-
Admission
Free, no booking required
Walking Weekend
Join us for a leisurely guided walk around the Castle Grounds and local village.
Suitable for
- Any age
When
2pm-
Admission
Free, no booking required
Brass Rubbing
Make your very own brass rubbing to take away with you from a wide selection of historical designs. All materials provided.
When
11am-4pm
Admission
No booking required. £1.50 - £4.00 depending on size of rubbing
Bodiam
Nr Robertsbridge
East Sussex
TN32 5UA
England
Website
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiamcastle
Main Office
bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk
Learning Officer
caroline.gill@nationaltrust.org.uk
Telephone
Main Office
01580 830196
Fax
01580 830398
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.
Bodiam
Nr Robertsbridge
East Sussex
TN32 5UA
England
Website
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiamcastle
Main Office
bodiamcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk
Learning Officer
caroline.gill@nationaltrust.org.uk
Telephone
Main Office
01580 830196
Fax
01580 830398
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