More dragons than information at Bodiam Castle

Stephen Chesshire writes:

My wife and I visited Bodiam Castle yesterday and today I completed the standard online NT visitor survey. I thought you might be interested to see my principal comments - below - which unfortunately seem to be all too typical of the visitor experience at too many Trust properties. The survey also, of course, included the usual questions about sexuality/gender, occupation, age etc which go to show the Trust's misguided attempts to show that it is 'inclusive' and / or 'representative'.     

Bodiam Castle is a prime example of a romantic ruin. Unfortunately that seems to embarrass the Trust which seems determined to dumb down its visitor offer.  Information boards were uninformative and provided very little explanation of the history, site or architecture. Instead the castle was spoilt by a crass and faddish attempt to turn it into a 'dragon' experience' which has nothing whatsoever to do with Bodiam. The Trust is right to want to appeal to children, particularly in the school summer holidays. But it should not do this by trying to turn it into a mini-Disney theme park which does nothing to engage the curiosity of children of all ages.   

Mr and Mrs Chesshire are by no means the only visitors to find Bodiam Castle disappointing. This is what a recent visitor posted on Tripadvisor:

Beautiful castle but spoilt by the attempt to make a mini Disney with a dragon event. Lots to do with the children, but it wasn't very well done inside the castle, a plastic dragon hanging out of a tower and badly painted dragon eggs. Ambience of the castle itself lost due to the tacky presentation. First time I've not enjoyed a national trust property which was a shame.