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Amanda
Amanda
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4 out of 5
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Editor Pick

Leeds Is Not Always in Yorkshire

  • September 21, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by catsholiday from ashbourne, United Kingdom
Leeds Is Not Always in Yorkshire

Leeds Castle is not in Leeds, which may come as a surprise to some people, but is near Maidstone in Kent. It is known as Leeds castle because way back in Saxon times it was The Manor house of Esledes which became a fortified castle in about 1119. The name Esledes became shortened in speech to Ledes which in turn became Leeds.
In Tudor times Henry VIII often visited, the most memorable time being with his wife Catherine of Aragon as a convenient place to stop on the way to the Field of the Cloth of Gold Tournament which took place in France in 1520.
The castle has been in private ownership since King Edward VI gave it to one of Henry VIII's courtiers for services. It has seen many changes of ownership and has been used as a garrison, a prison and a convalescent home. The last private owner, an American heiress, Lady Baillie restored the castle (some feel not too accurately and with rather more Hollywood than true English castle) and then founded the Leeds Castle Foundation in 1974. The description in the guide book of Lady Baillie's restoration is,
'the interiors carry the indelible mark of Lady Baillie, who used the finest French architects and designers to create an elegant 20th century country retreat.'
Tickets are:
Adults £15
Senior Citizens/Students/ visitors with disabilities £12.50
Children (4 - 15 yrs) £9.50
Wow! I hear you exclaim that is a lot. Certainly that is what we thought when they said £30 for two adults but this price allows you entrance for a year if you lived nearby you could go every day except 3rd July, 8/9th Nov and Christmas and it would be a real bargain. If you are disabled then a carer can go with you for free and most of the castle and gardens are easily accessible to all visitors. The grounds open from 10am and the castle at 10.30 and it closes at 5pm in winter and 7pm in summer.
You enter the grounds, our parking was free (part of the £30 we paid to get in) and the first thing you see is a notice offering a 'train ride' to the castle. This is actually a 4 wheel drive vehicle pulling a train-like carriage which would be useful for those unable to walk reasonable distances.
On the left as you enter the grounds is a huge tethered helium balloon. They call it the Leeds Castle Hiflyer balloon it gives a bird's eye view of the castle from 400 feet above and takes 15 minutes but is weather dependable. You can pay £14 adult, £11.50 concessions and £8 for children for the flight or get a combined Hiflyer and Leeds Castle ticket for £26 adult, £23 concessions and £16 for children.

Another exciting part that was not open in December was 'Go Ape' which is a hire wire forest adventure which opened in March 2008. There are rope bridges, high wire slides and zip wires. There is a special website for this section www.goape.co.uk
As we wandered along the path towards the castle we were able to enjoy the beautiful gardens. Even though it was winter they were still a pleasure to walk through and as we were there quite early on a mid December week day we were virtually alone enjoying the sound of the waterfalls and it was easy to imagine how it all looked on a summer's day with flowers on the rose bushes and rhododendrons in the woodland areas. Throughout the garden area we could see floodlights and other lights in various trees but as we didn't stay till after dark we had to imagine how they looked as well. As you wander through you are often greeted by a peacock casually pecking at the ground or sleeping peacefully beside the path.

The path took us through the water bird area or 'duckery' where there were ducks, geese, swans (even black swans from Australia) moor hens and so many variants of each type it was a bird watchers paradise.
As you pass through from the water fowl area you get your first glimpse of the castle and it is quite magical. The tagline on their promotion is 'Britain's loveliest castle' and it does take some beating. The setting is so picturesque as it is set on its two islands on the River Len surrounding by acres of beautifully kept gardens in the middle of the Kent countryside. It really does look like a fairy tale castle of stories of old.

As you get closer you approach the older walls which are incomplete and the draw bridge entrance which houses a shop and very discreetly the toilets are behind out of view ( and very chilly in winter too!). They guide you round the castle so that you enter from the lake side and through the cellars. You would have to watch children here as the path is right alongside the water at this point and it looks pretty deep.

As I mentioned we visited in December 2008 and the castle was dressed for Christmas and very fine it looked too. Every room was dressed in a different way but all contributed to the theme of 'The Nutcracker Suite'. I have not been to the castle before so I don't know what it looks like at other times but decorated in this way for Christmas it was quite enchanting.

Everywhere we went there were decorations, even going up the stairs sets of ballet shoes hung from the banisters. I wish I had had a little girl to take round with me who was keen on ballet as she would have loved it.

The tour took you through the entire castle and each room had a little notice or you could use a laminated page of information which was handed in as you left the castle through the front door.
The Dog Collar Museum:
Yes you did read it correctly, and we had to go and see what was in here. As we left the castle we followed the path up and round to the restaurant and courtyard area. We came across the Dog Collar Museum, which has to be the strangest collection I have come across in a small museum. It is a unique collection of over 100 collars spanning 5 centuries. It was presented to the Leeds Castle Foundation by Mrs Gertrude hunt in memory of her husband John Hunt. Some of these collars looked more like medieval instruments of torture than collars. It was very bizarre, but nonetheless interesting in its own way.

Just opposite the Dog Collar Museum was the cafe or restaurant which looked warm and welcoming so we decided to go and have a cup of something hot and wet.We only had a coffee so I can't really comment on the food but the ladies serving were very pleasant and friendly and it was nice to sit and look at the castle from the other side.
I was impressed that the castle is not just there as a tourist attraction it is used for many events which you can see if you go to the website. For example in 2008 there was a Easter Kite Festival from 21st - 24th March, Leeds Castle Horse Show from 26th-27th April, a jousting Tournament from 27th May - 1st June and there were many other such events. As well as those type of events Leeds Castle grounds were used for concerts and Shakespeare plays then in the winter months there are Firework Displays and of course the Christmas activities.

At special times there are dining events, weddings can take place there and they have conferences and banquets there. I think that it is nice to know that a building is still useful as well as decorative, it keeps it alive more.

There is also a pay and play golf course set in the grounds so if you live locally that would be a very special place to play golf but I am not sure of the cost or what the course is like.

There are falconry displays at specific times and there is an Aviary but sure what was on offer there.

There are of course gift shops offering such quite pricey gifts and souvenirs as well as luxury food items and wines made from the Castle vineyards.
There is an adventure playground for children designed as a model of the castle. There is also a proper big maze for adults and children with decent sized hedges if you make it to the centre then you come out through a grotto with mythical beasts. Younger children can enjoy a toddler play area and a low maze of turf.
As we followed the path towards the castle there were a number of posts with brasses stuck on them which were part of a trail for children to follow with a booklet for £1 from the shop.
Editor Pick

Leeds Castle

  • January 6, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Joy S from Manchester, United Kingdom
Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle is 4 miles south of Maidstone. It is sometimes referred to as "the loveliest castle in the world". It is not difficult to see why - it is so beautiful and distinctive, with its lake lake moat, buff coloured stone and imposing towers.

It is historically noteworthy as well as unusually striking. The castle started out as a Norman fortress and dates back to 1119. It became a royal palace for Edward I in 1278. Henry VIII transformed it for his first wife Catherine of Aragon. His daughter Queen Elizabeth I was imprisoned in the castle for a time before her coronation.

Six queens throughout history have called Leeds Castle their favourite residence.

There is plentiful parking at the entrance to the castle. We paid £40.00 in total for my husband, myself and our 5 year old son to gain entrance to the castle and the grounds.

You can take a land train from the ticket office up to the castle, but my advice would be to walk. It takes 10-15 minutes, but the walk along woodland paths, past the duckery and its inhabitants is beautiful. It also makes your first glimpse of the castle, through the trees particularly memorable.

The moat around the castle is home to lots of wild fowl, but most interesting are the black swans - apparently introduced here from Australia by a previous owner of the castle. They are striking birds with their ebony feathers and red beaks.

The main door and entrance into the castle is down steps and at the side by the water - a beautiful and interesting way to enter.

You start in the cellars - they still store champagnes and fine wines here for official functions, but naturally these are kept under lock and key.

The self-guided tour of the interior of the castle then takes you upstairs to the armoury room where the tour begins proper. You can pick up leaflets here, but there are information boards in each room pointing out things of interest.

Do not visit expecting a really old castle full of suits of armour and medieval treasures. It was actually a home to the last owner - Lady Bailey until the 1970's so has been modernised and made habitable. It is actually all the more interesting for this and you can see what a glamorous life she led, with many celebrities, royalty and dignitaries visiting and staying here.

During our visit all the rooms in the castle were decorated for Christmas and transformed into scenes from the Nutcracker Suite. This was marvellous and really got us into the festive mood.

The seminar room is especially interesting as it hosted many important political meetings and discussions. One of the most recent was when politicians of both sides from Northern Ireland met here to thrash out the terms of the Peace Agreement.

There is a restaurant and a tea room in the grounds - both serve similar food, which although of not bad quality is extremely overpriced.

The 500 acre parkland includes gardens and an aviary which opened in 1988. It is one of the best in the country with toucans, parrots and lots of exotic birds. Our son was shocked and delighted when one of the parrots started to mimic him and answer him back!

There is also a Dog Collar Museum. Apparently at one time dogs played an important role in guarding the grounds. The museum is quite interesting and has collars which span a period of 400 years.

The maze is quite good fun - we enjoyed getting lost inside it, and when you finally make your way to the centre, lovely views are to be found. Do not miss the grotto under the maze - a cave with light effects, noises and water - it is great fun.

Our last stop was the big adventure playground - themed to be like a castle with all sorts of interesting and fun things for youngsters to climb and play on and a great way to run off excess energy. In fact all three of us enjoyed having a turn on the zip wire.

We spent about 5 hours at Leeds Castle, only leaving at 4:00pm as it was cold and getting dark. The path on the way out was lit with Christmas lights and Christmas carols were playing from cleverly concealed speakers all the way down the path - it was perfect.

From journal 4 Days in Kent

Editor Pick

Leeds Castle

  • April 12, 2008
  • Rated 4 of 5 by tvordj from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle, in the lovely county of Kent just south of London, is a wonderful place to spend a day. We went there as part of a day tour by coach but there really is a lot that will keep you going for most of the day. The castle was built in 1119 and has been a royal palace and later a private home for many centuries. Most famously used by many queens of England who would come here to live after the king died in medieval ages. Henry VIII also visited here frequently early in his reign.

The castle is entered via some steps and through a Norman cellar and then you go up into a Heraldry room with portraits of various family owners and coats of arms. You pick up a laminated sheet that gives you an overall description of each room you go through. You can take photos in most of the castle except for the chapel.

Disabled visitors can enter the castle on the main ground door that is normally used as an exit. You progress through several rooms that are restored to how they would look in the medieval era. A queen's bedroom and bath with light softly filtering in the tall pointed windows.

There are a few miscellaneous rooms used for meetings and a board room and then you come to a Tudor era room with lots of windows and a grand fireplace. There are busts of Henry and each of his children that became monarchs (Mary, Elizabeth and Edward) in one corner. At the end is a lovely little chapel.

In the 1920s a socialite bought the castle. This woman married a man named Baillie in the early 30s. Lady Baillie hired a French decorator to restore and redecorate the castle in meticulous detail. The more modern part of the castle reflects this. There are sitting rooms, a library, bedrooms, a dining room and other lovely areas. They are very elegant but you could also picture yourself living there as well!

There are lovely old staircases, antiques, a grand marble staircase, original tapestries and paintings and sculpture to be examined. There are lovely views out over the moat and even the inner courtyards look inviting.

The castle is on two small islands surrounded by a moat. The rest of the grounds are manicured with a number of other attractions to view on a nice day. Off the islands there are a group of brick buildings that house the gift shop, cafe, toilets and most wonderfully, a dog collar museum! That is a small one room museum with cases containing dog collars for animals both domestic and those used for hunting. It's hard to imagine some of those heavy spiked collars on a dog! It's by far the most unique museum i've been to... so far!

Behind these buildings is a lovely English garden called the Culpepper garden after one of the former families that owned the castle. There is also an aviary of many colourful and rare birds. You can try to get through the maze elsewhere or view the greenhouse. There is a pond with many ducks including rare black swans and also a somewhat newer attraction, there is a hot air balloon ride available near the entry gate.

There is a playground and a craft center for kids and they hold special events through the summer including a jousting match and a flower show. See the web site for various details. http://www.leeds-castle.com/

It's a bit pricey at 15 pounds per adult with concessions and group/family rates but it isn't much when you think about all the things you can do and see. You can even play a round of golf for an additional charge.

Getting there: You can catch a bus from Victoria coach station to the castle for 22 pounds which includes the price of admission. It arrives about 10:30 a.m. and returns to London about 3 p.m. Train travel to Bearsted station with a shuttle bus to the castle.

From journals Mom and Me in London, London and Italy on Tour 1996

Leeds Castle

  • August 18, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by amber02 from chicago, Illinois
Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle is known to be one of the largest and most beautiful castles in England. When I visited this castle, I was amazed at the beautiful grounds. Lush green grass, beautiful flowers, a stream of water, even a few wandering ducks - this place was like a beautiful dream come true.

The inside of the castle was delightful as well. As you stroll through the many rooms, you can check out the furniture and accessories of the old inhabitants. Today this castle is used for political meetings, but much of the grandeur of the castle has still been preserved. Out back, you can stroll through the beautiful garden maze, then make your way to the little zoo, and after that walk over and check out the local shops.

All in all, it is an excellent place to visit. It is a wonderful and peaceful place to visit that offers much for its visitors.

From journal A Visit To The Beautiful, Historical City Of Kent

Editor Pick

Leeds Castle (Maidstone)

  • August 9, 2003
  • Rated 3 of 5 by moatway from Riverview, New Brunswick
Leeds Castle (Maidstone)

Lord Conway called it, "The most beautiful castle in the world". He may have been right. There was a Saxon manor here, but after the Norman invasion of 1066, a stone castle was built here to subjugate the Saxon population. When Edward I became king, the castle was conveyed to the crown and became a royal palace. For 300 years, it stayed in the royal families of England . . . a fortress built on two islands in a lake. The original purpose is most evident in the fortified mill and gatehouse, the arrow slits and murder holes. Inside the castle you find anything but. The furnishings are gentille and comfortable and harken back to the castle's saviour, the American heiress, Olive, Lady Baillie who purchased the estate in 1926. She would restore the castle, landscape the extensive grounds and create the Leeds Castle Foundation before her death in 1974.

Leaving the parking lot, you will follow a long path that provides beautiful views of the palace as you approach. On the way you will be entertained by flocks of ducks, geese and peacocks. Inside,you will begin your tour in the Norman cellars, pass through the Henry VIII banqueting hall (he was once an owner) and move on to the lovely rooms occupied by Lady Baillie and decorated in the style of the 1920's and 30's. That would be enough, but there is more. There is (of all things) a dog collar collection in the gate tower. It is interesting. There is a large aviary containing over 100 species of rare birds, the purpose of which is conservation and education. There is also a maze and grotto, extensive gardens as well as restaurants and shopping. It is possible to spend a fair amount of time here . . . I would advise continuing on after you have seen the house, you can make up your mind how much of the rest you want to see as you go. You will need at least an hour and a half.

From journal Travels in Sussex and Kent

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