Route: Bodiam Castle
Area: East Sussex
Date of walk: 13th June 2025
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 0.5 miles
Ascent: negligible
Weather: Sunny and very warm
Earlier in the day we’d visited Scotney Castle, a medieval moated castle. Another such castle, Bodiam, lies nearby. This is also owned by the National Trust, giving us very good value for our annual membership fee
Bodiam Castle was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dallingbridge, who was a soldier at the time of King Richard II. The purpose of the castle is unknown but it is believed to have been built as a defence, a status symbol and a home. Having parked in the National Trust car park we followed the path leading down to Bodiam Castle and set off along the short circuit around it. On reaching the entrance to the castle we walked over the bridge which crosses the moat. Huge koi carp congregate here. According to one of the staff we spoke to, the oldest of these is called Dave and is over 50 years old. On entering into the courtyard we climbed the steep spiral staircase leading to the ramparts of the North West Tower, from which there are good views over the courtyard and other sections of the castle
After descending from the tower we walked around the ancient ruins of the castle and then returned to the outer side of the moat to complete our circuit. We had originally planned a 5 mile walk centred on Bodiam Castle, but we’d run out of time for that, click here for a link to a route around the surrounding High Weald countryside
Click on the icon below icon for a map showing the location of Bodiam Castle
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Bodiam Castle, given to the National Trust in 1926 by Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India
There's only one possible walking round - a circuit of the moat and a detour to the castle itself
We walk round to the bridge over the moat
Koi carp, I wonder if the large one is Dave, who is over 50 years old?
The remains of the Barbican, a fortified outbuilding. Beyond it is the Portcullis and Murder Holes, where soldiers would have dropped boiling water, hot sand or rocks onto their enemies
Floor plan of the castle
We enter the courtyard and climb the steep spiral staircase up the North-West Tower
Views from the top of the NW Tower...
Looking down in to the courtyard and, left to right, the SE Tower, Postern Tower (which can also be climbed), SW Tower and W Tower
Back in the courtyard, looking back up to the NW Tower and the Gatehouse
We leave the inner castle and continue our circuit of the moat...
A final view of Bodiam Castle at the end of a fascinating visit
