Leeds Castle – The Loveliest Castle in the World

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle often gets called “The Loveliest Castle in the World” and honestly, I completely agree. From the moment you set eyes on its elegant towers framed by shimmering water, it feels like stepping into a fairytale. Nestled in the heart of Kent, the castle is surrounded by 500 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, gardens, woodlands, and lakes. It’s one of those places I can return to time and time again without ever getting tired of the view or the atmosphere. Whether you’re after history, nature, family fun, or just a peaceful day out, Leeds Castle truly has something for everyone.

The Castle

One of the most fascinating things about Leeds Castle is its royal heritage. This stunning castle was once a favourite residence of Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. For any Tudor enthusiasts, that connection makes the place feel even more magical. You can wander through grand rooms that have evolved over centuries, each packed with beautiful antiques, portraits, and tapestries that tell their own stories. The castle’s interiors showcase a unique blend of medieval grandeur and later periods, giving visitors a real sense of how it’s adapted over time. You can take an audio guide if you want a deeper dive into it’s history.

For families, Leeds Castle really goes the extra mile, they offer activity sheets to keep kids engaged during the tour, turning the visit into a treasure hunt for little ones, which adults will enjoy joining in on as well. It’s the perfect place to take children, there is so much there to inspire them and ignite their imaginations.

A nice added bonus is that you only pay to enter once, you can then return as many times as you like within the year. Basically an annual pass for the price of 1 days entry. There aren’t many places that offer that, so it’s great value day out with the kids in Kent and just a short drive from essex and London. You can also turn your visit into a mini break and book a stay at the castle.

The Woodland Walk

Your journey starts with a woodland walk along paths that run alongside babbling brooks and waterfalls. There is an abundance of wildlife to spot along the route. Plenty of wildfowl, woodland birds and insects. We saw so many cute baby swans on our visit! Leeds Castle is also famous for its black Swans.

The castle’s grounds are a sprawling paradise of outdoor delights. The Culpepper Garden, with its perfectly manicured box hedges and riot of colourful flowers, is a picture-perfect example of a classic English country garden. It’s the perfect place to stop for a moment, admire the blooms and maybe snap a few photos.

Facilities and Dining at Leeds Castle

There are plenty of food and drink options to keep you fuelled throughout your visit, from cosy cafés to kiosks selling snacks and ice cream. The Castle View Restaurant offers a lovely dining experience with views of the grounds and if you’re after something special, their afternoon tea is a real treat (definitely on my list for next time!).

Toilets are clean and conveniently located and if you prefer to bring your own picnic, there are plenty of scenic spots perfect for spreading out a blanket and enjoying a leisurely lunch outdoors.

Discover the Maze & Enchanting Grotto

If you love a bit of adventure, the castle’s maze is a must. It’s a large and cleverly designed hedge maze that challenges your navigation skills and makes for a fun family activity. The goal? To find the secret grotto hidden at the centre. If you do get a bit lost, there are a few little hints along the way.

The grotto itself is like stepping into another world, an atmospheric underground chamber decorated with mythical creatures made from shells and a soothing water feature. It’s wonderfully cool down there, but a heads-up: it’s quite dark and a little noisy, which could be a bit intimidating for very young children.

Boat & Land Train Rides

For a different perspective, you can take a leisurely punt on the moat or hop on the Black Swan ferry for a gentle ride across the Great Water lake (there is a small extra charge for these). It’s a peaceful way to admire the castle from the water and a lovely break during your visit.

There’s also Elsie, the adorable little train that runs from the main entrance to the castle grounds and back again. We like to walk in through the gardens and then catch the train back — it’s a real hit with Eden and adds a touch of fun nostalgia to the day.

Fun for All Ages: Play Areas & Activities

Leeds Castle is brilliant at catering for families, with two fantastic wooden playgrounds:

• Squire’s Courtyard, perfect for younger children up to around six years old, offers safe, imaginative play with tunnels, slides, and climbing frames.
• Knights’ Stronghold, designed for older kids aged 7 to 14, is a bigger, more adventurous playground with zip lines and towers that really spark the imagination.

Chill out on the Beach

Discover a vast stretch of soft sand right in the heart of the Kent countryside, perfect for endless fun and of course, building your very own Leeds Castle sandcastle masterpiece. It’s a wonderful spot to unwind, get creative, and make some special family memories away from the hustle and bustle.

Birds of Prey

Leeds Castle offers daily falconry displays featuring majestic hawks, vultures, falcons and owls flying free against the backdrop of the castle grounds. It’s a spectacular sight and a great way to get up close to these incredible birds in action.

Adventure Golf

The adventure golf course is a brilliant way to add some friendly competition to your day. The 12-hole course is themed around the castle and provides fun for kids and adults alike, perfect for a break between exploring. You’ll find it right next to the play areas.

Stay the Night

Why not extend your trip and stay overnight? Leeds Castle offers luxury Lakeside Lodges, peaceful retreats with stunning lake views and all the modern comforts you could want. Along with castle stays, Knight’s Retreat and stays in the Battel Hall and The Oast and holiday cottages. It’s a fantastic way to unwind and experience the castle in a whole new light, especially if you want a romantic getaway or a quiet escape from the everyday hustle.

Go Ape

In the car park area of Leeds Castle you will find Go Ape. A fun tree top adventure course, with courses for both children and adults to enjoy. You can read more about our visit to Go Ape Leeds Castle.

Leeds Castle Segway Tours

In the grounds of Leeds Castle you will find Segway Tours. You can explore the grounds via the exhilarating segways. They are open all year round and prices for a tour start at £23. You get a tutorial at the start of your journey showing you how to ride the Segways and once you are feeling comfortable you are guided through the grounds of Leeds Castle. You get to see stunning views of the castle from a completely different perspective. The Segways are quick and easy to learn and you would be surprised at how much fun they are. I would absolutely recommend giving it a try. You do not need Castle Entry to take a Segway Tour. You book in advance via their website.

Every time we visit Leeds Castle we find something new. I would absolutely recommend it and would have to say it’s in my top 5 family days out in the UK!

Most commonly asked questions:

• How long does it take to walk around Leeds Castle?
  • You can walk round the Castle itself in approximately 30 minutes but if you like to read the exhibitions it can take longer, approximately an hour to an hour and 30 minutes. Walking around the grounds can take several hours, especially if you are visiting the maze or playground areas, or maybe enjoying a round of adventure golf.
• Can I stay at the Castle? Yes you can stay at Leeds Castle, in the Maidens Tower, Stable Courtyard or Glamping!
• Is Leeds Castle Dog friendly?
  • Visually and hearing impaired visitors can bring Assistance Dogs in to the Castle and grounds. No other dogs are permitted.
• Can you picnic at Leeds Castle?
  • There are plenty of beautiful spots outdoors to enjoy a picnic at Leeds Castle.
• Does Leeds Castle have a maze?
  • Leeds Castle has a large maze with 2,400 yew trees. It can be viewed from the centre and once you have reached the centre and seen the views you can exit via the grotto.
• Is Leeds Castle National Trust or English Heritage?
  • No, Leeds Castle isn’t affiliated with the National Trust or English Heritage, but if you pay once you can return for a year for free.
• How much is entry to Leeds Castle?
  • Visit Leeds Castle website for up to date entry prices. If you pay for a day you gain entry for the year.
• Can you get into Leeds Castle for free?
  • There is no entry to the castle or grounds without paid admission

For more information or to book tickets, visit Leeds Castle Website.

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