That's it - Time to go - I've had a blast, but this is the end - search the internet and I'm sure yo...
That's it - Time to go - I've had a blast, but this is the end - search the internet and I'm sure you'll find me - Yours IamtheHumanRace
Member since:15.07.2000
Reviews:123
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As summer is approaching, although I would say it is already here, you need a place to go and wander around to truly enjoy the benefits of a British summer.
For an excellent weekend trip Leeds Castle is a must see attraction.
For those who are wondering Leeds Castle is not in Leeds, West Yorkshire, but it is in the village of Leeds, Kent. In around the Saxon period the area was called Esledes and the name Leeds developed from that.
There is precious little to add from the exceptional other review of "teacherofhooch".
So I will fill in some gaps.
The castle itself includes a guided tour if required, but if you do not want the full history information (because it is nice and sunny outside!!) then you can wander around alone. The inside is pristinely kept in period design and many rooms can be seen.
There
are little trinkets to see around the castle itself from disused waterwheels and cellars. The entrance is via some little windy steps so take care, this I found adds to the appeal.
Leeds Castle is not just a castle, for older visitors and children you may wish to take a little trolley bus around the gardens. The site is many acres across and will take a good 10 minute walk from end to end. The gardens are indeed full of many plants and bird life too near the water. You could waste half the day just walking around this. The gardens and the open grass is a perfect place to stop for lunch, because that is what the time will be after going round the castle and walking round the garden.
However do not stop too long because the best part is yet to come....
At the end of the gardens you come to the maze - Everyone always thinks of Hampton Court Maze when they think of Tudor England mazes, but quite frankly Hampton Court Maze is rubbish because the hedges are threadbare. Leeds Castle maze is a truly full bush higher than a (very tall) man hedge maze.
You will not find the middle by yourself unless you are very lucky. I promise you - people are lying if they claim to have found the middle by themselves.
You can tell those who are lying for two reasons: 1) They come out the entrance 2) They do not look like they have been in the maze for 10 years
There is a guide in the middle (which is very high up) who directs people who have given up.
You need to get to the middle because......
The only way out from the middle is through the Grotto.
The grotto, by definition, travels underground through stone passageways. Careful under foot as there is a little bit of running water. You really feel like Indiana Jones or some fleeing Catholic priest when in these passageways.
I recommend the maze and Grotto very highly - a lot of fun.
After that you may want to stop for a quick drink - and by a stroke of marketing genius the tea-rooms are right next to the maze for joyous escapees to quench their thirst and unintrepid non-maze-explorers to wait for you.
But wait there's still more:
For little children there is a small maze (the plants come up to ankle height
Leeds Castle has it's own vineyard and you can take a tour round this. I also recommend extremely highly the white wine. The bottle are pricey (about £10-14) but if you can afford it all styles are beautiful. Even my French friend with a huge wine- cellars said he had never tasted anything so nice.
There are also various crafts, etc style places to wander when the sun gets too much.
Now you just have to get back to the entrance, so by this point you may well want to take the trolley bus.
Bits I forgot before:
The Dog Collar. The idea of niche musems appeals to me - not to go into but just to know they exist There is the chair museum in High Wycombe and the Fan Museum in Greenwich, and here at Leeds Castle there is the Dog Collar Museum. Possibly about the priesthood, but no. Actual collar for dogs. I didn't go in, but I am sure there must be some weird and wonderful collar in there. Perhaps in Georgian times dog had huge ruffs and in prehistoric times they wore large stone collars (or perhaps were just not tame at all.)
Facts:
Price dependant somewhat on time of year Adult from £10 Senior citizens and students from £8 Children 4 -15 from £6 Disabled -£6 all year. Family ticket 2 adults and up to 3 children. From £30
Travel: Coach: Victoria coach station. All in One ticket on SouthEastern trains go to Maidstone, then ask I went by car. M20 motorway watch out for the sudden brown sign off the main A-road
www.leeds-castle.co.uk
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