Leeds Castle Summary

• Address: Maidstone, ME17 1PL (Map)
• Tel: +44 (0)1622 765400
• Fax: +44 (0)1622 735616
• Owner: Leeds Castle Foundation
• Administrator: Marketing Department
• E-mail: Click here to contact
• Website: Go to the Leeds Castle website

Henry VIII enjoyed the Castle immensely and the many Tudor windows bear witness to his architectural improvements. It was from Leeds that Henry started for his momentous meeting at the Fields of the Cloth of Gold with Francis I of France in 1520, embarking at Dover - an event recalled by the magnificent paintings in the Banqueting Hall.

In 1926, Olive, later Lady Baillie, bought Leeds Castle from the Wykeham Martins, the previous owners, and totally transformed it internally. Employing two international interior designers, Armand-Albert Rateau and Stéphane Boudin, Leeds Castle is probably the world's most complete memorial to these men.

Lady Baillie filled her house with fine furniture, ceramics, tapestries and paintings, all of the highest quality - her collection of 18th Century Chinese porcelain is remarkable, with many pieces recalling her fondness for exotic birds.

Lady Baillie's achievements culminated in the most radical development at Leeds Castle in its long history; by her will, the Leeds Castle Foundation was created to maintain the Castle, garden and park for the enjoyment of visitors in perpetuity. For more information on visiting Leeds Castle, just view their very Website.

Wining and Dining
Leeds Castle is the ideal venue to celebrate any occasion, whether it's a special birthday, an anniversary or retirement dinner or even just a meal with friends and family.

With venues to accommodate between 10 - 200 people, they are never lost for suggestions to make an evening truly memorable.

As well as formal occasions, their experienced staff can organise private lunches for up to 50 people in summer or up to 90 during the winter - Christmas as you can imagine is something very special indeed at Leeds Castle.

Accommodation and Meetings / Conferences
All budgets can be catered for and they can offer you two residential conference centres. Within the Castle itself, they can accommodate 22 in single accommodation and up to 60 for a meeting or lunch with this number rising to 100 for the evening.

As well as 15 delightful bedrooms, all with direct dial telephones and televisions, the Culpeper Centre, situated across the moat from the Castle has meeting and dining facilities for up to 40 people. Popular for both training and sales meetings, the centre overlooks the lovely gardens and provides a tranquil yet stimulating setting away from the pressures of the City.

Opening Times - 2011:

• All year: daily
• Closed: 16th & 17 July, 5th & 6th November and Christmas Day

1st April - 30th September:

• Grounds: 10 am - 6 pm, last ticket sold 4.30 pm
• Castle: 10.30 am - 5.30 pm, last entry at 5 pm
• Shops: 10 am - 5.30 pm

1st October - 31st March:

• Grounds: 10 am - 5 pm, last ticket sold 3 pm
• Castle: 10.30 am - 4 pm, last entry at 3.30 pm
• Shops: 10 am - 4 pm

Special private tours for pre-booked groups by appointment

Admission Prices - 2011

Castle, Park & Gardens:

• Adult - £17.50
• Child - £10.00
• Seniors/Visitors with disabilities - £15.00
• Groups (15+) - £13.50

Every ticket (excluding special ticketed events) valid for one year, prices valid until 31st March 2011

Call for rates for visitors with disabilities

More information on the garden can be found on The Gardens Guide.

Further information including opening times and prices

Image Gallery

Your Reviews of Leeds Castle

Tom Moore (09 July 2006)

Breathtaking! What makes this place wonderful is the grounds! The well kept grounds are a delight to any visitor, take a picnic and enjoy the gorgeous day.

Events for Leeds Castle

• Birds & Beasts Roadshow - 11 February 2012 to 19 February 2012
  Meet creepy crawlies in the marquee near the maze area for an educational and fun experience. There are birds, spiders and snakes, three shows per day at 11 am, 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm. Entrance: Additional £1.50 per child (under 4s Free). Children will also be able to have their face painted (small additional charge).
• Easter Family Fun - 06 April 2012 to 09 April 2012
  Bring the children to follow a trail through the grounds and then collect a chocolate Easter egg from the Bunny Burrow. There is also animal fun and crafts to be enjoyed. Entry: additional charge of £2.50. Face painting and Easter egg archery also be available for a small additional charge.
• Home and Garden Weekend - 19 May 2012 to 20 May 2012
  This lifestyle fair includes a range of home furnishings, cookery and kitchen items, fashion, garden equipment, local produce and plants for sale. The Leeds Castle Gardeners will be there to show you how to create great spring hanging baskets. Entertainment will be provided by the Daily Mail Garden Roadshow and refreshements will be available. For the children there will be electric boat rides will be available.
• Diamond Jubilee 1950s Weekend - 02 June 2012 to 03 June 2012
  This former Royal Palace is celebrating all things British from 1953, the coronation year, there will be 1950's cars and steam engines on display. A big screen will be showing the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant and flotilla on Sunday as it is broadcast live. Bring a picnic while you watch, cream teas also available.
• Diamond Jubilee Fireworks & Open Air Cinema - 03 June 2012
  Gates open at 6 pm: This evening celebration will include live music, highlights of the day’s pageant and vintage newsreel of the Coronation. There is also a showing of "Grease" (rated PG) - the classic film with a 1950s theme. The evening concludes with a magnificent firework display accompanied by music. Adults - £20.00, Child (under 16 years) - £15.00.

• Jousting Tournament - 05 June 2012 to 10 June 2012
  Family entertainment including medieval activities with twice-daily jousting tournaments by knights on horseback, medieval weapons and displays. Plus a craft activities marquee for the children.
• Medieval Knight School - 23 June 2012 to 24 June 2012
  Children can come and try on replica medieval armour including helmets, breastplates, chainmail and gauntlets. They can take a lesson in medieval swordsmanship and join in a recreation of the Battle of Agincourt. A fun and interesting way to to get a first hand view of history.
• Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” - 28 June 2012 to 30 June 2012
  7 pm: This dark tradegy is performed by The Lord Chamberlain's Men, a traditional shakespearian men-only company. Bring a picnic while you enjoy this unusual production. Adult - £18.00, Child (under 16 years) - £12.00.
• The Leeds Castle Open Air Classical Concert - 14 July 2012
  Gates open 4 pm. Live music from 5 pm. Main concert 7.30 pm. Heritage Events present their classical open air concert with John Rigby conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. This year special guests leading tenor, Wynne Evans, and also the Military Wives. There will also be an aerial display from classic World War II aircraft during the evening. Tickets: Picnic - £35.00, Seated - £45.00.
• Halloween at Half Term - 27 October 2012 to 02 November 2012
  Activities for children including spooky themed crafts and Halloween mask making. In the Fairfax Restaurant you will find Halloween themed food.

• Halloween Ghost Tours - 29 October 2012 to 30 October 2012
  Discover unusual tales during this evening ghost tour of Leeds Castle during Halloween week.Tickets (over 15 years) - £15.00.
• Leeds Castle Fireworks Spooktacular - 03 November 2012 to 04 November 2012
  This spectacular show will combine visual projections on the side of the castle with lighting, music and incredible fireworks and a wide range of refreshments will be available. You can come for the evening performance only or arrive in the afternoon to take advantage of the entertainment available. Tickets must be pre-booked.
• Christmas Gift Fair - 24 November 2012 to 25 November 2012
  A relaxing Christmas shopping experience plus day out for all the family with gift ideas, stocking fillers. Also festive food, drink and live entertainment. All this in a heated and carpeted marquee. Entrance: a small additional charge of £2 per person for entry into the marquee (under 16s free).

Additional Info for Leeds Castle

• Open All Year
• Parks
• Gardens
• Playgrounds
• Weddings
• Disabled Access
• Education
• Accommodation
• Refreshments
• Picnics
• Guides
• Meals Available
• Conferences
• Filming
• Gifts
• Live Entertainment
• Shop
• Car Parking

Credit Cards Accepted

• Mastercard
• Visa
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