A historic castle has a starring role in latest box office hit movie Wonka.

Eagle-eyed fans will spot Bodiam Castle in one of the key scenes in the film which stars Timothée Chalamet.

With a bit of computer trickery, the 14th-century structure is turned into the fantasy chocolate factory for the movie - and the castle owners hope its appearance will encourage fans of the film to visit the castle in real life.

The Argus: Bodiam CastleBodiam Castle

Harvey Edgington, senior filming and locations manager at the National Trust which owns the castle, near Robertsbridge, said: "We were delighted to welcome the cast and crew of Wonka to Bodiam Castle last year.

"Filming in historic locations always presents interesting challenges and as a 14th century castle Bodiam was no different but it’s great to see how the on-screen Bodiam has been so cleverly transformed for the finished film."

The Argus: Timothee Chalamet at the premiere of WonkaTimothee Chalamet at the premiere of Wonka

The star-studded cast, which also includes Hugh Grant, Rowan Atkinson and Olivia Colman, used locations across the UK to make the story come to life.

While many scenes were filmed in a lot at the Warner Bros studios in Leavesden, locations in Oxford, Dorset and London were also used.

Harvey added: "All money raised through filming at National Trust sites is put straight back into caring for these historic places and we hope to welcome inspired Wonka viewers and fans to Bodiam to see this amazing place for themselves.”

Read more: Wonka ends the year at number one at the US box office

The castle has caught the eyes of cinemagoers in other countries, such as Dora Tibor who spotted it at a cinema in Hungary.

She said: "As soon as I saw the castle, I screamed 'this is Bodiam' loudly.

"People around me couldn't really understand it but it was an amazing experience."

Mihaela Breaban-Cook said: "I live close to it, I passed by when they were filming it and I couldn’t wait to see it on the big screen and it did not disappoint."

Wonka, based on Roald Dahl's Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, ended 2023 as number one at the box office.