Pictures of Leeds Castle

a Castle in the town of Maidstone, in the county of Kent

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About Leeds Castle

Listed in the Domesday Book, this castle has been a Norman stronghold, a royal residence for six of England's medieval queens, a palace of Henry VIII, and a retreat for the powerful and influential.

Step back in time with the Leeds Castle movie for a glimpse at the Castle's illustrious past or come right up to date with a look at the attractions within the 500 acres of glorious grounds surrounding the castle and its moat. The aviary is home to over 100 species of endangered birds while the Museum on the Castle Island features a collection of a very different kind - dog collars dating back to the sixteenth century.

Described as the 'loveliest castle in the world', Leeds Castle, near Maidstone, Kent, was originally the site of a manor of the Royal Saxon Family. A Norman stronghold, the castle became a Royal palace, and was for 300 years the home of Kings and Queens of England. Restored to its current glory by Olive, Lady Baillie, the last private owner, Leeds Castle has been open to the public since 1976.

The castle has a history framed in romance and intrigue, conflict and majesty. Edward I, Edward III, Richard II and Henry V all held court at Leeds Castle.

Henry VIII, perhaps the most famous of all Royal owners, was responsible for much of the castle's splendour, and he spent lavishly to transform the castle from a rugged fortress into a Royal palace. The Henry VIII Banqueting Hall bears testament to this reconstruction, and contains features dating from 1517.

The castle, surrounded by a lake, is a treasure house of art, antiques and objects d'art to bewitch the most enthusiastic lover of history. For instance, The Queen's Bedroom and Bathroom are reconstructions of the chambers used by Catherine de Valois, wife of Henry V, who stayed at Leeds Castle on many occasions. Some of the later rooms, like the Yellow Drawing Room and Thorpe Hall Drawing Room, give visitors an impression of how the castle looked when Lady Baillie lived here. Lady Baillie bought Leeds Castle in 1926, and devoted almost half a century to restoring its fabric and furnishings, leaving her much-loved home to the nation in perpetuity in 1974.

Today, the castle and its 500 acres of beautiful parkland are run by the Leeds Castle Foundation, a charitable trust.

Apart from the castle itself, there's plenty for visitors to see and do, such as the Dog Collar Museum, a unique collection of antique dog collars; the puzzling yew Maze, with a magnificent underground Grotto at its heart; an Aviary which, through its breeding programme, promotes public awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation; and a choice of wonderful woodland walks and gardens such as the traditional English Culpeper Garden, full of old fashioned flowers and fragrance, and the Mediterranean-style Lady Baillie Garden, plus a Vineyard, first listed in the Domesday Book.

An enchanting place to visit whatever the season, Leeds Castle hosts a full calendar of special events including Open Air Concerts, Food and Wine Festival, Balloon and Vintage Car Weekend and Grand Firework Spectacular. The unique setting also makes it a perfect setting for conference, banquets and weddings.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Leeds Castle.

Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near Leeds Castle and uploading your pictures.
Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Leeds Castle

Archbishops Palace	(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction W)	Pictures
Allington Castle	(6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Manor Country Park	(9.8 miles, 15.7 km, direction W)	Pictures
Sissinghurst Castle Garden	(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction S)	Pictures
Rochester Cathedral	(10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Charles Dickens Chalet	(10.9 miles, 17.6 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Restoration House	(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Historic Dockyard, Chatham	(11.0 miles, 17.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Rochester Castle	(11.2 miles, 18.0 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Guildhall Museum	(11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures

All attractions in Kent
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Leeds Castle

Leeds, in the county of Kent (0.8 miles, 1.4 km)
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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Pluckley, in the county of Kent (7.4 miles, 11.8 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 (8.2 miles, 13.2 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 (8.9 miles, 14.2 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 (11.2 miles, 18.1 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 (12.2 miles, 19.7 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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Faversham, a Historic Market Town in the county of Kent (12.2 miles, 19.7 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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Tenterden, in the county of Kent (12.6 miles, 20.3 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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Higham, in the county of Kent (13.7 miles, 22.0 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 (13.7 miles, 22.1 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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All towns in Kent
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Hollingbourne Station	(1.1 miles, 1.8 km, direction N)
M20 Junction 8	(1.4 miles, 2.3 km, direction NW)
Harrietsham Station	(1.8 miles, 3.0 km, direction E)
M20 Junction 7	(4.3 miles, 6.9 km, direction NW)
Lydd Airport	(24.6 miles, 39.6 km, direction SE)
London City Airport	(30.3 miles, 48.8 km, direction NW)
Leeds Castle to London	(37.3 miles, 60.1 km, direction NW)

Accommodation & Hotels near Leeds Castle

Hotel Name
Ramada Hotel & Resort Maidstone	(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)
Ringlestone House	(2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction SW)
The Black Horse Inn	(3.5 miles, 5.7 km, direction NW)
Chilston Park Country House Hotel	(3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction SE)
The Dog & Bear Hotel	(3.9 miles, 6.3 km, direction E)
The Lime Tree Hotel	(4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction E)
Detling Coach House	(4.3 miles, 7.0 km, direction NW)
Headcorn Lodge Hotel	(4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction S)
King Street Hotel	(4.6 miles, 7.5 km, direction W)
Stone Court	(4.8 miles, 7.8 km, direction W)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts