Leeds Castle is often called "the loveliest castle in the world": it stands on two islands in the middle of a lake, in the Kent countryside near Maidstone. Mind the name: it has nothing to do with the city of Leeds in Yorkshire, but takes its name from the village of Leeds, in Kent. In almost nine centuries of history it has been a Norman fortress, the residence of six medieval queens, a palace of Henry VIII and finally the home of a wealthy Anglo-American heiress, who left it to a foundation so that everyone could visit it.
History
The first stone castle was built in 1119 by a Norman baron, Robert de Crèvecœur, on a site already occupied in Saxon times. In 1278 it passed to King Edward I, who gave it to his wife Eleanor of Castile: from then on it became a tradition for the castle to belong to the queens of England, earning it the nickname of "the castle of queens". In the 16th century Henry VIII transformed it into a sumptuous palace for himself and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, and he set out from here in 1520 for the famous meeting with the King of France at the Field of the Cloth of Gold.
In 1926 the castle was bought by Lady Olive Baillie, an Anglo-American heiress, who restored and furnished it with taste, entertaining film stars, politicians and members of Europe's royal families. On her death in 1974 she left it to the Leeds Castle Foundation. In 1978 the castle hosted talks between the foreign ministers of Egypt and Israel that paved the way for the Camp David Accords.
- 1119Robert de Crèvecœur builds the first stone castle
- 1278Edward I gives the castle to Queen Eleanor of Castile
- 1520Henry VIII sets out from here for the Field of the Cloth of Gold
- 1926Lady Baillie buys and restores the castle
- 1974The castle passes to the Leeds Castle Foundation
- 1978Talks between Egypt and Israel ahead of Camp David
- 1988The maze with its underground grotto opens
What to see
The castle
Inside you pass through rooms from different eras: the chapel and medieval rooms of the oldest part, the Gloriette, the queen's apartments and the Tudor rooms with portraits of Henry VIII, and finally Lady Baillie's elegant 1930s drawing rooms, with French furniture, paintings and a library. The rooms tell the castle's story through its inhabitants, from medieval queens to the society guests of the 20th century.
The maze and the grotto
The maze, created in 1988 with around 2,400 yew trees, has a small mound at its centre from which you can see the whole design. From here you go down into an underground grotto decorated with shells, stones and mythological figures, which leads back to the exit. It is one of the favourite spots for young and old alike.
The gardens and the park
The park covers more than 200 hectares of lawns, woods, waterfalls and ponds. You can visit the Culpeper Garden, a cottage garden full of flowers, the Mediterranean garden overlooking the lake, the aviary with exotic birds and the falconry displays. Black swans, the emblem of the castle, swim on the lake. There is also a curious dog collar museum, with examples spanning five centuries, and a large children's playground.
Practical information
The castle is open all year, apart from a few days; the ticket is generally valid for a year from the date of purchase, so you can come back in different seasons. During the year there are open-air concerts, fireworks in autumn and a Christmas market. Check opening times, prices and events on the official website. The castle also offers accommodation on the estate for those who want to stay overnight.
Getting there
- By train: from London Victoria to Bearsted in about an hour, then a shuttle bus (when running) or a short taxi ride.
- By car: from the M20 motorway, junction 8, about an hour and a half from London; large car park.
- By air: Gatwick and London City airports are about an hour away.
Nearby
- Canterbury, with its cathedral, about 40 minutes away.
- Sissinghurst, the famous garden created by Vita Sackville-West, and Hever Castle, Anne Boleyn's childhood home.
- Maidstone, the county town of Kent, and the villages of the Weald with their oast houses for drying hops.
Tips
- How long: at least half a day; a full day with the park and the maze.
- When to go: spring for the flowers and autumn for the colours of the park; in summer the castle is busier.
- A tip: walk all the way round the lake before or after your visit: the best view of the castle, reflected in the water, is from the bank opposite the entrance.