Leeds Castle, Kent

A fairytale castle owned by six medieval queens that is still used as a secure stronghold in the present day – Camp David preliminary talks & the Northern Irish Peace Agreements were discussed here. Top of the list if you want to get a real flavour of old England, still evolving.
Leeds Castle is an ideal place to visit if time is limited – it’s easy to reach from either Dover as a shore excursion trip or from London.

The castle has Norman foundations; a mediaeval gatehouse & the Gloriette built by King Edward I. King Henry VIII updated the castle to a palace for his new queen, Katherine of Aragon. A Tudor tower was added and in the 19th century it became a country house.

Gardens

The gardens offer continuous colour throughout the year, from a mass of spring bulbs in the Wood Garden, through fragrant roses and summer country garden favourites in the Culpeper Garden, to late flowering borders in the Lady Baillie Mediterranean  Garden.

Dog Collar Museum
The museum contains the largest display of antique dog collars in the world, an impressive collection of around 100 collars traces the history of canine neckwear from medieval to Victorian times.

Maze and Grotto
Follow the winding path through the Yew Maze to a raised viewpoint giving panoramic views, then return through a magical grotto representing the underworld back to daylight.

Knights’ Realm Playground
Based on a scale model of the castle and built entirely in wood. Children can climb the Maiden’s Tower, joust along an aerial runway & zip wire to the ground at amazing speed. The Toddler’s Play Area close by is designed for under 5’s.

ADITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Go Ape!

Test your nerves and agility on the Go Ape! high wire forest adventure in the castle parkland.

Segways at Leeds Castle
Take a 40 minute escorted tour of the castle’s picturesque grounds on a Segway, the world’s only self balancing personal transporter.