Leeds Castle in Kent is a rare thing: an entertaining attraction for adults that also provides a really great day out for the younger members of the family. If you’ve ever dragged a ten-year-old through a manor house or followed your kids through a completely kid-centric attraction, you know how important everyone-pleasing vacations are. This ancient castle caters to all ages, so happy faces everywhere.
It is surrounded by one of the most beautiful moats you have ever expected to see, it has gardens, a maze with a creepy grotto at the end, several different playgrounds, falconry and raptors, acres of woods and parks, lodgings, summer camps, walks boating, special exhibits and a dog collar museum (for real). You can even get married there.
Leeds: not to be confused with Leeds
Before leaving, be sure to set your Sat Nav for the correct zip code or reserve your train for the correct station. Otherwise, instead of ending up at Leeds Castle near Maidstone in Kent, you could find yourself in the Yorkshire town of Leeds, about 230 miles northwest of where you should be. Leeds Castle got its name from a medieval Maidstone town known as Esledes. The nearest train station is Bearsted, Kent.
A dowry house for six queens …
The castle was built by a Norman baron on an island in the Len River. The river was later dammed to form the castle moat and the building was extended to a second island. It remained essentially the home of an aristocratic family until the owner fell through hard times and had to sell,
Enter Queen Number One: In 1278, Eleanor of Castile, wife of Edward I, bought Leeds Castle for her. When she died, after having 16 children with the king, he remarried and gave the castle to his second wife, Queen Margaret, sister of the King of France as part of his dowry. Edward II had to fight to get the castle back from a royal administrator who had given it to him and who refused to allow his queen, Elizabeth, to enter. After Edward was killed, Isabella took over the castle for herself.
By 1382, the tradition of giving Leeds Castle to a queen had been established. Richard II gave it to his wife, Anne of Bohemia, who kept it until she died of the plague 12 years later. Later, Henry IV gave Leeds to his second wife, Juana de Navarra. Poor Queen Joan did not get along very well with her stepson, Henry V, who imprisoned her in the castle for plotting her death by witchcraft. Eventually, he returned all her assets and income to her, but not before she had spent years under house arrest. Finally, queen number six, Henry V’s wife, Catherine of Valois, became a Castilian of the castle.
She survived Henry by 15 years, inherited the castle, and remarried. His grandson Henry Tudor founded the Tudor dynasty.
The palace was more than a house, even a palace house. The importance of a major castle was the earning potential of the land and properties that surrounded it. So by giving the castle to a wife, the king was effectively giving her a source of income to pay for his home.
… And a palace for Henry VIII
If he had only given her a son, things could have been very different for Catalina de Aragón. As it was, she was the wife Henry divorced to marry Anne Boleyn (a lucky escape considering the fate of his other wives). Before that, she was queen for 24 years and Henry turned Leeds Castle from a fortress into a luxurious royal palace for her. On their most famous visit, Henry and Catherine arrived with a combined retinue of 5,000 en route to a famous meeting and tournament with the King of France known as the Field of the Cloth of Gold.
Leeds Castle provided them with venison and butter for the journey, a rather small allotment of what the traveling group took with them: 2,000 sheep, 800 calves, 312 herons, 13 swans, 1,600 fish, 1,300 chickens, 17 deer. , 700 eels, 3 porpoises and a dolphin.
The castle
Most of Leed’s royal history is related in the compact Gatehouse Museum that serves as the preamble to the castle itself. Despite its age, much of what can be seen of the castle was built in 1822 by a private owner long after the house passed from royal hands. The exception is The Gloriette, the oldest part of Leeds Castle, built by Edward I in 1280 on his own little island. Edward used the foundations of an even earlier Norman fortress.
Today, visitors are led to the castle through the Norman cellar, all that remains of the original fortress. It would have been used in times of siege to store food, straw, firewood and wax. Now it is the cellar of the castle.
Lady Baillie’s Party House
To be honest, if you are interested in vintage interiors, you may be disappointed in the décor. In the early part of the 20th century, Leeds was bought by an Anglo-American heiress, who later became Olive Lady Baillie. In the 1930s, he worked with a French interior designer to create rooms that combined his interpretation of the Gothic style with fashionable details of the time.
Lady Baillie used the house to entertain prominent politicians, socialites, and celebrities, and that’s what you’ll see. Much of it is charming, but if it looks medieval it’s probably a reenactment.
No matter. The views of the beautiful castle exterior, surrounded by a moat that is almost a lake, are almost worth the price of admission in and of themselves. And there is much more to see and do.
The stable yard and the dog collar museum
If you are traveling with children, they are probably already expiring with boredom. Even if you’re not, you might be ready for a break before tackling the rest of the attractions. The stable patio, along the way, has several seasonal food and beverage kiosks for snacks, coffees and refreshments. The Fairfax Restaurant, in a modernized 17th century room with brick and oak beams, serves unwavering healthy meals and lighter meals.
The Stable Courtyard is also the site of the renovated Dog Collar Museum, an eccentric collection of more than 100 dog collars made from brass, leather, copper, iron, and even gold, dating from the Middle Ages to modern times.
A narrow arch through one of the stable buildings leads through two small gardens (by castle standards) to the rest of the attractions.
UK Travelers Tip : Despite its heritage and the fact that there is so much for adults to enjoy, this is a family-oriented attraction. If lots of little people running around with face paint and toy swords aren’t your thing, avoid visiting during the holidays and school vacations.
Leeds Castle Family Attractions
- The Labyrinth : A circle of 2,400 yew trees is arranged in a circle within a square. It will probably take you about half an hour to conquer the yew maze. Escape is through a mysterious shell grotto where the giant head of a mythical monster greets you with flaming eyes.
- Falconry Shows – Free shows are held at the Falconry Arena, across from the maze, every day at 2pm, April through September.
- Birds of Prey Center : 22 birds, from little burrowing owls to Russian eagles, are exhibited outdoors in their aviaries and on the “weathering ground”, weather permitting, daily, year-round. The center is behind the maze.
- Two Playgrounds – Knights Realm Playground , for children 5 and older, is built entirely of wood and features a scale model of the castle. The Squires Courtyard Playground is for children under 6 years of age. It has sandboxes and slides, mini zip lines, climbing towers, all safe and age appropriate.
- Special Events – It’s always worth checking the Leeds Castle website before visiting to see what’s on. The castle hosts a full calendar of seasonal events, exhibits, and dinners for adults and children.
Staying at Leeds Castle
There are a variety of accommodations available including:
- bed and breakfast in the stable courtyard ($$$) and the 16th century maiden tower ($$$ +)
- Several self catering properties that can accommodate 2 ($$$) to 10 ($$$$). Guests of these properties can use the leisure facilities of a nearby hotel, as well as free access to the castle and gardens.
- Award Winning Knight’s Glamping. Eight striped luxury tents, based on a medieval design, are organized in the castle’s vineyards during the summer months, equipped with four-poster beds and wood-burning stoves.
Essential information for visiting Leeds Castle
- Where: Leeds Castle Maidstone Kent ME17 1RG. The castle is about 7 miles east of Maidstone, an hour southeast of London and half an hour from the Tunnel Channel and Channel ports.
- Open: all year. Summer hours from 10:30 am to 6 pm, last admission at 4:30 pm, winter time at 5 pm, last admission at 3 pm Closed on Christmas weekend and fireworks (November 7-8 2015).
- Entry cost: adults £ 24 / $ 37.75 (until March 31, 2016), discounts for seniors and children, children under 4 years free. Tickets are valid for unlimited entry for one year from the date of issue. Buy online for a 10% discount.
- Contact: Telephone or email [email protected]
- Visit their website
- How to get there :
- By Train: Southeastern Trails offers regular services from London Victoria to Bearsted Station. Check National Rail Inquiries for schedules and prices. A shuttle bus operates from the station to the castle during the summer months.
- By car: from junction 8 of the M20 motorway, follow the brown and white tourist signs.
- By bus: Several tour companies run sightseeing tours from London including Leeds Castle. As these change from time to time, it is best to check the Castle website for the latest information.
