Historic Buildings

Keys to the Castle – Unlocking Bodiam’s Past, Present and Future

With its moat, drawbridge, towers and castle walls, Bodiam Castle in East Sussex is iconic and picturesque, attracting around 150,000 visitors annually. Bodiam is a gateway to heritage - with many visitors never having been to a heritage site before - but it's not currently fulfilling its amazing potential to inspire, and often disappoints. We want Bodiam’s fascinating stories and medieval history to spring to life, and for it to play an important role in the local community. By using audience-led design we will present Bodiam’s stories through engaging interpretation and hands-on activities - creating an adventure-filled gateway to the world of heritage. We will open up more of the castle, making it physically, emotionally and intellectually accessible to all, and enabling visitors to experience the magic of a fairytale castle. 2026 is Bodiam Castle’s National Trust centenary, is the perfect opportunity to celebrate ’the most castle-y castle in England’.