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in the county of Kent

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About Leeds

Under a cloudless sky, its moated waters glistening in the sunlight, Leeds Castle looks every inch the romantic place it was when given by Edward I to his wife Queen Eleanor, it became the Royal couple's favourite country retreat.

Leeds Castle, together with the Norman church dedicated to St.Nicholas have dominated this attractive village for centuries. Both have played a fundamental part in the lives of villagers, some of whom throughout the ages have depended upon Leeds Castle Estate for their livelihood. Lying amidst the beautiful countryside of the North Downs Way, the village shows a core of delightful houses and pretty cottages fronted by colourful, flower filled gardens. It is though and always will be, the historic castle that draws the endless flow of visitors who find their way to this precious corner of England.

The castle is frequently called 'the ladies castle' this is largely due to the fact that it has nearly always been owned by Royal women. It was claimed by Queen Isabella after the death of her husband, Edward II, she began living there in 1327. Richard II gave the castle to his Queen, Anne of Bohemia, and Joan of Navarre was given the castle by Henry IV when she became his Queen. Henry V's wife Catherine was the last Queen to own the castle outright.

Henry VIII made changes to the castle, and his daughter Princess Elizabeth was held prisoner in Leeds Castle before she became Queen. Following the Civil War in which the castle appears to have played no part, it slowly fell into a state of disrepair with little notice taken until the 19th-century when in 1822 it was purchased by Fiennes Wykeham-Martin, and it is he who developed the castle into the glorious historical treasure chest we see today.

The castle is now owned by the Leeds Castle Foundation Trust which was set up in 1974, and is open to the public on most days throughout the year.

The church of St.Nicholas has administered to the spiritual need of the village since Norman times, and maybe before. There is a theory that the church was built on the site of a large Augustinian Priory, certainly in 1879 evidence of two Saxon windows was uncovered together with stone walls under the floor of the Nave. The church possesses a quite spectacular tower, not tall but substantially stubby with walls of up to 8ft thick. Inside the church there are decorative columns, a beautifully restored rood screen dating from the 15th-century and impressive memorials to residents of the village who lost their lives during the two World Wars of the 20th-century. The church occupies a lovely hillside location, and in the peaceful tree-lined churchyard you can see tombs and graves from past centuries.

For a romantic day out and a trip into England's rich historic past you can do no better than visit the pastoral village of Leeds, which is a short distance from Maidstone and is within easy reach of the town of Ashford, and the Dover - Folkestone Heritage Coast.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Leeds

Leeds Castle	(0.8 miles, 1.4 km)	Pictures
Archbishops Palace	(4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction W)	Pictures
Allington Castle	(5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Manor Country Park	(9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction W)	Pictures
Sissinghurst Castle Garden	(9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction S)	Pictures
Rochester Cathedral	(10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Charles Dickens Chalet	(10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Restoration House	(10.7 miles, 17.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Historic Dockyard, Chatham	(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction N)	Pictures
Rochester Castle	(10.9 miles, 17.6 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Guildhall Museum	(11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Coldrum Long Barrow	(11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Trosley Country Park	(11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Upnor Castle	(11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction N)	Pictures
Marle Place Gardens	(12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction SW)	Pictures

All attractions in Leeds
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Recommended towns near Leeds

Pluckley, in the county of Kent (7.9 miles, 12.8 km, direction SE)
The village, which is scrambled on a ridge above the scenic River Beult, is said to be the most haunted village in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Lynsted, in the county of Kent (9.0 miles, 14.4 km, direction NE)
A charming, restful place in what is known as cherry-orchard country, and although the cherries are still here, arable farming has taken over much of the land.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Upchurch, in the county of Kent (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction N)
This is an historic, interesting village which was once home to Edmund Drake, father of Sir Francis, who became vicar of the local church in 1560.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cranbrook, in the county of Kent (10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction S)
Cranbrook is an old rural town of numerous streets and alleys, all still true to their medieval layout.
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Brenchley, in the county of Kent (11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction SW)
Brenchley is a beautiful "showpiece" village full of picturesque Tudor cottages, complimented by houses from the Regency and Victorian periods.
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Tenterden, in the county of Kent (12.7 miles, 20.5 km, direction S)
The town is located on slightly rising ground looking out over the vast agricultural landscape of the Rother Levels, which sweep down to the Romney Marshes and finally, the sea.
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Faversham, a Historic Market Town in the county of Kent (13.1 miles, 21.0 km, direction NE)
There is record of settlements in the area in pre-historic times, it is known that the Romans and the Anglo-Saxons both established villages.
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Higham, in the county of Kent (13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction NW)
An interesting village situated between Gravesend and Rochester in Kent, with links to the author Charles Dickens, the notorious...
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Rolvenden, in the county of Kent (13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction S)
Surrounded by a well-wooded landscape, this delightful village was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book, so we are assured of its long history.
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Plaxtol, in the county of Kent (13.7 miles, 22.0 km, direction W)
This is a picturesque Kentish village at the centre of the counties hop growing fields. It has interesting Oast houses and a concentration of charming brick built cottages.
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Meopham Green, in the county of Kent (13.7 miles, 22.1 km, direction NW)
This is an attractive Kentish village lying to the south of Gravesend. It is picked out by its Windmill of 1801, which has been lovingly restored back to its original working order and is now one of the best preserved in Kent.
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Shipbourne, in the county of Kent (14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction W)
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Smallhythe, in the county of Kent (14.7 miles, 23.6 km, direction S)
Between the 14th and the 16th-centuries this lovely Wealdon hamlet was a flourishing port and famous ship building centre where one of Henry VIII war-ships was built.
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Sheerness, in the county of Kent (14.9 miles, 24.1 km, direction NE)
This is the port to which Nelson's body was brought home following his untimely death after his glorious victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.
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Tonbridge, in the county of Kent (15.0 miles, 24.1 km, direction W)
Fine streets show a rich variety of architecture including typical Wealden tile-hung properties, and handsome Georgian and Victorian buildings dominating the river scene.
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Nearby travel help

M20 Junction 8	(1.3 miles, 2.0 km, direction N)
Hollingbourne Station	(1.4 miles, 2.3 km, direction NE)
Bearsted Station	(2.5 miles, 4.1 km, direction NW)
M20 Junction 7	(3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction NW)
Lydd Airport	(25.0 miles, 40.2 km, direction SE)
London City Airport	(29.7 miles, 47.8 km, direction NW)
Leeds to London	(36.7 miles, 59.0 km, direction NW)

Hotels & Accommodation in Leeds

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Leeds center
Ringlestone House	(1.2 miles, 2.0 km, direction SW)
The Black Horse Inn	(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction N)
King Street Hotel	(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction NW)
Detling Coach House	(4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction N)
Stone Court	(4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction NW)
Chilston Park Country House Hotel	(4.3 miles, 6.9 km, direction E)
Best Western Russell Hotel	(4.4 miles, 7.0 km, direction NW)
Headcorn Lodge Hotel	(4.4 miles, 7.0 km, direction S)
The Dog & Bear Hotel	(4.7 miles, 7.6 km, direction E)
The Lime Tree Hotel	(4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction E)
All hotels in Leeds