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Leeds Castle
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Leeds Castle

Area Guides: Maidstone
Attractions:

Castles

Telephone - please mention Let's Stay Kent: +44 (0) 1622 765400
Email: Click here to email the Castle
Website: http://www.leeds-castle.com/goto.php


Details: Leeds Castle, set on two islands on the River Len in the heart of Kent, has been home to royalty, lords and ladies for over 1000 years. Visitors are transported through 900 years of the castle’s history; an eclectic mix of period architecture, sumptuous interiors and family treasures waiting to be discovered.

Our internationally renowned aviaries offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of modern conservation and captive breeding programmes. Black swans glide on the moat and waterways, peacocks wander through the grounds and birds of prey soar on the wind during daily falconry displays.

The gardens offer continuous colour throughout the year. From a mass of spring bulbs and wild flowers in the wood garden, through fragrant herbs and roses in the quintessentially English Culpeper garden, to late flowering borders in the drought-resistant Mediterranean garden.

Attractions

• Park & Gardens

• The Aviary

• Falconry Displays

• Knights Realm Playground

• Maze, Grotto & Turf Maze

• Dog Collar Museum

• Pay & Play Golf Course

• Vineyard

• HiFlyer Balloon Rides

Leeds Castle is not just a museum but also a place where people meet and special events bring the grounds to life. Conferences, meetings, weddings and banquets can also be arranged in the castle and other areas on the estate.

Tickets to Leeds Castle grant admission to the castle and grounds for one year from the date of purchase with the exception of our evening ticketed events on 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th July and 3rd, 4th November 2007. Every ticket sold helps preserve the castle for the benefit of the public. Terms and conditions apply.

Please note that the Castle Island will be closed from 3pm on 11th August 2007.

Admission Prices
Adults £14.00
Senior Citizens/Students/Visitors with Disabilities £11.00
Children (4-15) £8.50
All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Opening Times
Open all year round.
Closed to day visitors on 7th July, 3rd & 4th November and Christmas Day (25th December) 2007

Sunday 1 April to Sunday 30 September 2007
Open: 10am daily
Last ticket sold: 5.00pm
Gates close at 7.00pm
Castle Opening Times
Open: 10.30am-6pm
Last entry to the castle is at 5:30pm.

We regret no dogs can be admitted except for guide dogs or hearing dogs and that pushchairs are not permitted inside the castle.
A carer visits for free with every disabled person. Most of the castle and its grounds are accessible to all visitors.

History
The Saxon manor of Esledes was an ideal place for the descendant of one of William the Conqueror’s lords, Robert de Crevecoeur, to fortify and build a castle in 1119.
Leeds Castle passed into royal hands in 1278 and became part of the Queen of England’s dower - the settlement widowed queens received upon the death of their husbands. Over the course of 150 years it was held by six mediaeval queens: Eleanor of Castile; Margaret of France; Isabella of France, Joan of Navarre; Anne of Bohemia and Catherine de Valois.
In Tudor times Henry VIII visited frequently, notably with his Queen, Catherine of Aragon, and their entire court on the way to the tournament of the Field of the Cloth of Gold, which took place in France in 1520. Henry’s son, King Edward VI, granted the castle to one of Henry’s courtiers for his services.
Since then it has been in private ownership. It has been used as a garrison, a prison and a convalescent home, as well as being the home of the Culpeper, Fairfax, and Wykeham Martin families.

Click here to view the Maidstone Tourist Guide

Disclaimer: The information on this leisure attraction was presented with the best of intentions. Any reported errors will be corrected immediately. People interested in contacting the above leisure attraction should confirm for themselves the accuracy of any data presented.



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Another Kent Tourist Guide listing created by Let's Stay Kent.
To have your business listed please call James Neve on 01580 761457 or 07939 187685