As recently as 25 years ago Leeds castle was still used as a private home. After the death of the owner a charitable trust was set up and this now enables people to visit the castle and its grounds. It is probably due to it only having recently become an attraction which you can visit and possibly also because it is not a National Trust or English Heritage property that it is not marketed as extensively as other castles or stately homes.
Although the property was relatively recently in private hands that does not mean it does not have a long history to it. The castle was started soon after the Norman conquest of the 11th century. It remained a property of the Kings and Queens of England until it fell out of favour with Henry V111 in the mid-16th century. The castle did fall into relative disrepair until the last owner spent a fortune restoring it. It is the fruits of that restoration that the visitor is able to see.
The castle itself is a beautiful one and the rooms have been restored in the style of different periods particularly being influenced by the 18th century French chateau style. There are also many items which had been collected by the last owner – Lady Baillie and this includes some excellent old tapestries as well as fine chinaware, art works and periodic furniture.
As well as the house your entrance ticket will give you access to the extensive gardens which are split into areas developed in different styles. There is a relatively uncultivated natural garden in the woods leading to the castle which is complete with pond and ducks. Then there is the large cottage garden and finally a fabulous garden with lots of plants showing a French and Italian influence. If you’ve not had your fill of matters horticultural there are still the greenhouses which sells plants in the adjacent Plant Centre.
For bird fanciers there is an aviary and for wine buffs even a vineyard which produces grapes for a wine sold in the omnipresent gift shop. This shop sells the usual range of products to keep as a souvenir of your trip including many inspired by the artefacts collected inside the house.
Finally to satisfy the inner person there are Tea Rooms and restaurants which can serve everything from a cup of tea through sandwiches to full meals. There is ice cream and drinks on sale also from the kiosks in the grounds.
Leeds Castle is a wonderful day out and it is about 30 miles east of London. It is easily reached along the M20. It is also a useful stopping point if you are travelling to Dover for a trip across the Channel. There are many attractions in the grounds themselves and it is an ideal place for a picnic. Good weather would help particularly if you get lost in the huge maze as we did. On a wet day there is still much to see but it will curtail your visit considerably.
The charge this year is a reasonable £10 for adults and that does include all admission to the castle and the grounds, for children it is £6.50 with a family ticket saving a bit at £29 for 2 adults plus three children. For wrinklies and the great unwashed (OK – Senior Citizens and Students) it is £8.50.
Leeds Castle has its own web-site on www.leeds-castle.co.uk
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Leeds Castle is very picturesque - I went there for an open-air classical music concert years ago and was suitably impressed (although ultimately ended up rather drunk!) Cheers, Phil.
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Advantages: Good selection of shops and food outlets, nice houses, friendly people. Disadvantages: Grammar schools, snobs and chavs. Not great for tourists, except Leeds Castle.
timmyotoole 05.08.2001 (13.08.2001)
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