JULY 2019
Leeds Castle is the self proclaimed most beautiful castle in the world and it is located in Maidstone (Kent, not Leeds). I visited Leeds Castle as a daytrip from Canterbury, this is a 40 minute drive away. I absolutely loved our visit to Leeds Castle! It was an expensive activity, with an entrance fee of £ 24, but you can spend a full day in the castle and its gardens. Your ticket is valid for a year, so if you live nearby it is a good investment.
Leeds Castle has been redecorated in a Victorian meets French style in 1935 by Lady Baillie with her interior designer Stéphane Boudin. Apparently this redecoration inspired the redecoration of the White House by the Kennedys. Because of these decorations, the castle feels really modern, usually I think that castles feel cold, but because of the redecoration the castle feels as one could actually live there and it feels very lively. There is a really good video of the castle itself once you are inside. It is actually for people who are not mobile enough to visit upstairs, but it gives really good insights. You can also see Lady Baillie’s shoe closet, library, bathroom and the paintings she collected. You get a real sense of what kind of stylish person she must have been. The castle also played a role in World War II as Lady Baillie offered that it would be used as a hospital.
The restaurant has a nice terrace, where you can have lunch with a view of the castle. You can also visit the restaurant at night, without having to pay the entrance fee. I think it is best to check the website for more information regarding the opening times of the restaurant to make sure the information is up to date.
Of course the castle also has gardens. The most beautiful part of the gardens is located at the other side of the castle (behind the restaurant). There were hollyhocks and roses everywhere, in each color imaginable. A part of these gardens were designed by Lady Baillie which gives extra flair. From the gardens you can overlook the country side that is neighboring the palace.
Leeds Castle also has activities for kids. In the gardens they have a maze, a playground and a birds of prey show, so your kids do not have to get bored. I also watched the birds of prey show and it was very entertaining, they even had an amazing owl participating!
