National Trust - Bodiam Castle

During the summer holidays we spent an awful lot of time at National Trust sites. One of our friends is studying castles this year and they were desperaste to visit one before term started again. There aren’t too many local to us but we decided to visit Bodiam Castle. 

A gorgeous 14^th century castle ruin. Now we didn’t go on one of the days they run events (I would HIGHLY recommend the NT event days anywhere) so we were little unsure how long we would be able to keep three children amused.

Bodiam is a moated castle and the café and restaurant are on the outside of the moat down by the river about a five minute walk through the car park and reception round to the castle from the tea rooms…

The boys loved it! As with most houses in some of the rooms were interactive boxes so the boys could dress up as the knights or servants. We bought a childs tour guide which was full of great fun facts and headed into explore.

The boys spent ages exploring the castle and baffled at how steep the steps were. They loved imagining (gruesome boys) just what they would pour through the holes in the ceiling on their enemies! There was a surprising amount to see and do and when you had finished in the castle you can complete part of your Things to do before 11¾s and roll down the hill after an ice cream and a browse round the book store.

They also had archery on in the corner and all three decided to have a go. Despite being a busy day there was no queue and the boys all had a go at being Robin Hood.

The staff were superb throughout the visit, no matter who we asked or even what we asked they captured the boys imaginations and all left full of what it would be like to be a knight and to live in the castle! So don’t be put off visiting a National Trust if you notice that the house or castle is in ruins, they have taken this mind and still managed to work their magic round for families!