Pictures of Bodiam Castle

a Castle in the town of Robertsbridge, in the county of East Sussex

Bodiam Castle Picture Tour Hotels near Bodiam Castle Submit a history of Bodiam Castle Nearby Attractions Nearby Towns Bodiam Castle Reviews Submit pictures Bodiam Castle Map Add to favourites

About Bodiam Castle

The wonderful parapet, walls and high round towers of 14th-century Bodiam Castle are gloriously reflected in its broad moat. It is at once both eye catching and extremely attractive, evocative of the times centuries ago, when such buildings were constructed in defence of the Realm.

Bodiam was fortified on the orders of Richard II, at the time it was a manor house belonging to Sir Edward Dalyngrigge. In 1385, the concern was to defend the country from the French, the south coast was vulnerable, and the River Rother was then navigable as far as Bodiam. No sooner had the King's orders been carried out, the English regained control of the Channel, the year was 1388.

For centuries this proud building was left to fall slowly into decay, and it was not until early in the 20th-century when the castle was purchased by Lord Curzon that Bodiam was able to come back into its own. It had been previously acquired in the 19th-century by a local builder with the nick-name of "Mad Jack" his firm stripped the castle for use as building materials, yet strangely this man spent both time and money on the repair of the main gates.

Lord Curzon showed great sensitivity in his restoration of the castle walls, he also restored the surrounding landscape so that once more the castle in its lovely setting took on a "cherished" appearance. At his death in 1925 Lord Curzon passed Bodiam Castle to the National Trust, it remains in their care to this day.

Visitors to the castle will find it possible to climb the castle towers and walk along parts of the walls. From these medieval battlements there are stunning views over the surrounding countryside, thus making the climb worthwhile. At certain times there may be the opportunity to try on a suit of armour. Via new interpretation visitors can learn the fascinating story of Bodiam Castle, and of the people who have inhabited it.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Bodiam Castle.

Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near Bodiam Castle and uploading your pictures. Please leave a review of this attraction.
Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Bodiam Castle

Darwell Reservoir	(5.1 miles, 8.1 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Battle Abbey	(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Sissinghurst Castle Garden	(7.5 miles, 12.0 km, direction N)	Pictures
Bateman's	(7.5 miles, 12.0 km, direction W)	Pictures
Lamb House	(8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction E)	Pictures
Scotney Castle	(8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Rye Castle Museum	(9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction E)	Pictures
Hastings Country Park	(10.1 miles, 16.3 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Bayham Abbey	(10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Marle Place Gardens	(10.9 miles, 17.6 km, direction NW)	Pictures

All attractions in East Sussex
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Bodiam Castle

Rolvenden, in the county of Kent (4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction NE)
Surrounded by a well-wooded landscape, this delightful village was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book, so we are assured of its long history.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Brede, in the county of East Sussex (5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction SE)
The delightful village stands on the southern slopes of the Brede River. It is but a short distance from the town of Battle, famous for the Battle of Hastings.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ticehurst, in the county of East Sussex (6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction NW)
For a village worthy of a picture postcard, Ticehurst would be hard to beat. It is all enchanting white weatherboarded cottages hidden beneath russet tiles interspersed around a pleasant square with a church.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cranbrook, in the county of Kent (6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction N)
Cranbrook is an old rural town of numerous streets and alleys, all still true to their medieval layout.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Battle, in the county of East Sussex (6.7 miles, 10.7 km, direction S)
Battle is a unique town in the county of Sussex built on the very site where William the Conqueror defeated king Harold of England and his Saxon army in 'The Battle of Hastings' in 1066.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Burwash, in the county of East Sussex (6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction W)
It is from his home in this very English village that Rudyard Kipling penned the wise and wonderful words of his poem 'If'.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Smallhythe, in the county of Kent (7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction NE)
Between the 14th and the 16th-centuries this lovely Wealdon hamlet was a flourishing port and famous ship building centre where one of Henry VIII war-ships was built.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Tenterden, in the county of Kent (7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction NE)
The town is located on slightly rising ground looking out over the vast agricultural landscape of the Rother Levels, which sweep down to the Romney Marshes and finally, the sea.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Playden, in the county of East Sussex (8.6 miles, 13.8 km, direction E)
Playden is situated just north of Rye. It is most noted for its beautiful Norman Church dedicated to St. Michael which dates from around 1190.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Rye, in the county of East Sussex (9.2 miles, 14.7 km, direction E)
Regarded by many as the prettiest town in England, Rye is a very popular place to visit along the south coast of England in...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in East Sussex
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Robertsbridge Station	(3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction W)
Etchingham Station	(4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction W)
Lydd Airport	(17.7 miles, 28.6 km, direction E)
M20 Junction 9	(17.8 miles, 28.7 km, direction NE)
M20 Junction 10	(18.3 miles, 29.5 km, direction NE)
London Gatwick Airport	(33.1 miles, 53.3 km, direction W)
Bodiam Castle to London	(45.5 miles, 73.2 km, direction NW)

Accommodation & Hotels near Bodiam Castle

Hotel Name
Leeford Place Hotel	(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction S)
The Brickwall Hotel	(4.9 miles, 7.8 km, direction S)
Dale Hill Hotel	(6.1 miles, 9.9 km, direction NW)
The George Hotel	(6.4 miles, 10.4 km, direction N)
The George Hotel	(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction S)
Sedlescombe Golf Hotel	(6.6 miles, 10.5 km, direction S)
Abbey Hotel	(6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction S)
Powdermills Hotel	(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction SW)
Best Western London Beach Country Hotel & Golf Club	(8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction NE)
Little Silver Country Hotel	(8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction NE)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts