Click Thumbnails to Enlarge
Ranked 4 of 6 facilties in ranked in Kent
Wow factor
Accessibility
Photo potential
Bodiam Castle
| Directions: |
Bodiam Castle, in East Sussex, is relatively straightforward to find and is well-signposted. If you’re travelling south on the A21 take a left at the Flimwell crossroads onto the A268. Follow this road for 4 miles until you hit the centre of Hawkhurst, taking a right at the crossroads onto the A229. Take the B2244 that forks off to the left and follow the National Trust signs to Bodiam Castle. |
| Accessibility: |
Very good. Paths around the castle are smooth but a little steep in areas. Path from the car park to the castle is roughly 400 yards. |
| Costs: |
Adult £5.80, Child £2.90, Family £14.50 Reduced rates for cyclists and fare paying passengers on the Kent and East Sussex Railway. Free for National Trust Members. |
| Best time to visit: |
Spring/ Summer |
Venue information
Bodiam Castle is a fantastic example of a late, built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III. It’s situated near Robertsbridge in East Sussex (grid reference TQ785256) and has been looked after by the National Trust since 1926.
The Grade 1 listed evocative castle is completely surrounded by a moat and has approaches from both the North and the South, although today it’s just the North entrance which is used to gain access to the castle. The shape of the castle is rectangular, despite it looking square shaped from eye level, and has large round towers in each of the four corners with square towers defending the centre either side.
The picturesque setting of Bodiam Castle has featured in several films and videos, including Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Doctor Who and several episodes of the ITV series Knightmare.
Bodiam Castle is a fantastic location not only for landscape photography, but also for wildlife photography. Many different species of birds can be found among the castle reed beds including moorhens, chaffinches and Muscovy ducks. At the base of the castle near the car park is an extensive building that includes the castle shop, restaurant and toilets. The restaurant has a very pleasant eating area outside that looks out over the river, where many fishermen can be seen during the weekend. The Kent and East Sussex Railway’s Bodiam Station can also be seen (it’s just 500 yards away) and runs to Tenterden town.
Overall an extremely pleasant National Trust property that’s kept in immaculate condition throughout and well worth a visit if you’re into history and castles. Make sure you visit early, though, if you want to catch the sun on the castle’s entrance.
Photoanswers Location Rating : 5*
-
Having lived in Sussex most of my life, this was always the place I chose for special days out, It is stunning in so many ways with many great fetures (including some great cream tea shops within a very short walk)
I now live near Windsor castle and still wish if I can shoot either castle it would be this one.
Shawn
(Written by: somethinstupid)
30 March 2009 17:09
-
I have moved to Liverpool now but have one photo in on my gallery, it was taken with a Mobile Phone and lacks clarity or mood and has some unwanted people in shot, so it is somewhere I plan to re visit one morning. I like the angle I used though so will go back to the same spot. It is very easy to get to it a superb location very relaxing and so many nice angles to shoot.
(Written by: matt6t6)
14 March 2009 16:49