Bodiam Castle - National Trust

Summer of Play returns to Bodiam Castle with a season packed full of fun, imagination and adventure. Step back in time with medieval inspired games such as castle building, hobby horse racing and quoits, try your hand at circus skills, or join our Knight School led by professional performers.

New for 2026, let your imagination soar as you climb aboard a pirate ship and set sail for the seven seas!

•

How to Train Your Dragon: How to be a Pirate trail

Date: 16 July–5 September

Time: 10am–4pm

Price: £3.50 with normal admission

This summer, How to Train Your Dragon swoops back into Bodiam Castle with a brand-new quest inspired by How to be a Pirate, the second book in Cressida Cowell’s much-loved series.

Grab a treasure map, rally your crew, pick your dragon, and set sail on an action-packed adventure trail bursting with pirate‑themed challenges and mischief. Along the way, hunt for hidden treasure, crack riddles, and try your hand at games like cannonball bowling, sword fighting, and pirate ring toss.

•

Summer Storytelling Sessions

Date: 19, 24, 26 & 30 July. 2, 9, 13, 16, 18 & 23 August. 2 September.

Time: 11.30am–2.30pm

Price: Included with normal admission (free for National Trust members)

Fuel the imagination of young children, with tales that are perfect short drop-in sessions for families. Running throughout the day and 15–20 minutes in length, the storytelling sessions are held in the castle first-floor tower room.

•

Have-a-go archery

Date: 19, 24, 26 & 30 July. 2, 9, 13, 16, 18 & 23 August. 2 September.

Time: 11am–3pm

Price: £5 for 6 arrows. Normal admission applies.

Have-a-go at the medieval sport of longbow archery against the backdrop of Bodiam Castle. Learn how to get to grips with a bow and arrow from friendly instructors.

•

Children's crafts: Dragons, Vikings and Pirates

Date: 26, 27, 29, 31 July, 3, 4, 8, 10, 15, 18, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 31 August, 1 September

Time: 11am–3pm

Price: £2/£3/£5 per item, cash payment advised. Normal admission applies.

Children can decorate their own ceramic dragons to take away. Little ones can imagine themselves becoming a knight or Viking as they decorate their own wooden shield or pirate ship! Drop-in first-come-first-served entry throughout the session.

•

Circus Skills with Circus Allstars

Date: 6-10 Aug, 13-17 Aug, 20-24 Aug

Time: 11am–3pm

Price: Included with normal admission (free for National Trust members)

Step right up and discover circus skills with the brilliant instructors from Circus Allstars. Learn the ropes of circus performance and try your hand at a range of exciting skills, from juggling and diabolo to plate spinning, stilt walking and more.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or keen to show off your talents, these lively, hands-on sessions are perfect for building confidence, coordination and having plenty of fun along the way.

•

Family Bat Walks

Date: 18 August at 7:45pm, 25 August at 7:30pm & 12 September at 7pm

Time: 11am–3pm

Price: Adults £12:00 | Child £6:00 | Family (1+2) £20:00 | Family (2+2) £30:00

Join our National Trust Ranger for a magical evening discovering the secret world of bats at Bodiam Castle. As dusk falls over the castle and surrounding landscape, we’ll explore the habitats these fascinating nocturnal mammals call home. Using bat detectors, you’ll be able to hear their echolocation calls and learn how to identify different species. Walk duration: approximately one hour.