Bodiam Castle is so deeply rooted in my childhood that anyone who dares utter a negative word about it will feel the wrath of my longbow. Childhood history aside, Bodiam is an awesome experience. It’s your archetypal castle with a moat, drawbridget, round towers, keep, portcullis - hell, it almost looks like a movie set!

Great place to bring the kids as they can explore the entire castle, climb up to the top of the towers, feed the massive fish in the moat, and generally play around on the huge grassy area around the castle.

The site is managed by the National Trust so it’s absolutely immaculate and well maintained. There’s ample parking, a great shop and great activities in the summer with full Medieval reenactments, etc.

Set amidst the beautiful Sussex countryside is the small village of bodiam! Not far from the south coast! There is a river running through the village and a beautiful ruined castle where you can explore the castle itself, walk around the grounds, browse the shop and eat in the cafe! Or take your own picnic! It is all child friendly and the children can feed the enormous fish in the mote! The Tenterden steam railway passes through Bodiam and stops there so you can take a ride too! There is a pub near the castle which does food, though I have never eaten there so I can’t rate it but I hear it is good!!

I went with my Girlfriend and Mother about 6 months ago for the first time in about 5 years, and the magic hasnt worn off. This is what everyone thinks of when they think castle, with its moat, draw bridge, classic 4 towered corned shape.

I used to go to school just down the road, so i must have been to the place about 20 times as a child...and i can remember each time being filled with wonder and having such fun.

There is never a bad time to go to Bodiam, but if you are around in the summer, the National Trust often invite reinactment companies to carry out educational displays of what life was like when people lived in the castle. The most impressive of these if 'Hands on History", who have built a collection of siege weapons which every half hour they suit up in armour and fire mellons and the castle walls from the banks of the moat.

This is truly a perfect family outing

I love Bodiam Castle. I think i must have been here 10-15 times. It's just around the corner from my Grandma's house, so it's always been top of the list when we have guests to stay.

This is a story book castle. Huge amounts of fun for adults and kids alike. If you have a national trust pass, parking and entrance into the castle is free. Otherwise it's a few pounds. It definitely worth coming down here in the summer months for "Hands on History". Everything from firing a trebuchet into the moat to tales of Agincourt and the battle of hastings. Oh, and if you have small children, take some bread. Feeding the enormous fish in the moat is always lots of fun!

This is what a castle should look like. Tall towers, complete ramparts, portcullis, drawbridge and a huge moat. It's every child's dream!

Built in 1385, it functioned as both castle and a comfortable late mediaeval home. Now owned by the National Trust, it is set in lovely well-maintained grounds which are perfect for a family picnic.

In the summer, there are lots of activities going on (check website for details), with people dressing up as mediaeval knights, jousting and cool stuff like that. For the adults there are also occasional concerts.

The site is very family friendly, with the information office supplying all kinds of material to help children (of all ages!) enjoy their visit, and to stimulate their imaginations. The website has excellent information about access for wheel-chair users.

The site has ample car-parking, and is close to some other excellent attractions - the Kent & East Sussex preserved steam railway, and the village of Battle where William the Conqueror beat the Anglo-Saxons in 1066.