Royalty and romance

The castle was first built in stone by Norman barons nearly 900
years ago to overawe the English. On Edward I's accession, it was
conveyed to the Crown, and for the next three centuries was a royal
palace; fortified, enlarged, enriched and much loved by successive
English Kings and Queens.
Love, romance and happiness have been in the air at Leeds Castle
down the centuries; certainly for Queen Eleanor of Castile,
Catherine de Valois and Henry VIII, the most celebrated of all the
owners.
Maze and grotto

Leeds Castle, one of the most romantic and most ancient castles
in the Kingdom. In the 9th century, this was the site of a manor of
the saxon royal family. Listed in the Domesday Book, this castle
has been a Norman stronghold, a royal residence to six of
England's mediaeval Queens, a playground and palace to 
Henry VIII and a private home.

Today, lovingly restored and now administered by the Leeds 
Castle Foundation, it is home to a magnificent collection of 
medieval furnishings, paintings, tapestries and treasures. This is
a place where visitors of the present meet with lives of the past.
You sense it, walking the grounds, where even the leaves breathe
history.
                   

Historic park and gardens

The crowing glory of this most English of castles is its setting. On
two small islands in the midst of an encircling lake, surrounded by
a green arc of parkland, thick with trees and hills that tumble gently
down to the water's edge. Within the 500 acre park, there are
woodland walks, lakes and waterfalls, gardens and greenhouses.
And so many glorious castle views. Kings and Queens and 
seasons may change, but Leeds Castle's enchanting and very
English beauty is lasting, whatever the time of year.

Leeds Castle, built upon two islands in a lake, dates from the 9thC and was a favorite home of medieval queens. Henry VIII 
converted it from a stronghold to a royal palace but the most recent restoration was in the 1920s when the present collection
of art, furniture and tapestries were assembled. There is a unique Dog Collar Museum in the gatehouse. The surrounding 
parkland has gardens, vineyard, maze, aviaries, duckery and golf course. Many major events throughout the year. Shops, 
restaurants; kiosks; barbecues; picnic site.

Opening times:
All year, daily; Jan, Feb and Nov, Dec, grounds: 1000-1500 (last admission), castle: 1015-1530; Mar-Oct, 
grounds: 1000-1700 (last admission), castle: 1100-1700. Closed 27 Jun, 4 Jul and 25 Dec.

Admission prices:
Castle, park and gardens: £8.80 (Adults) £5.80 (Children)
Park and gardens: £6.80 (Adults) £4.30 (Children)

More information:    http://www.se-eng-tourist-borad.org.uk./seetb/