Visiting Leeds Castle in Kent

A few weeks ago I shared my trip biking in the New Forest and mentioned how I wanted to visit more of the U.K. countryside and that mission is well on it’s way. Using one of my extra vacation days from 2018 I took a random Thursday off and headed on a roadtrip south of London to visit Leeds Castle and the Cliffs of Dover, though today’s post is only about the former. Now let me tell you, my UK geography is pretty bad but I do know that Leeds is far from London and would be a very long day trip but was surprised to learn Leeds Castle is actually in Kent, not Leeds, and only an hour and a half South of London!!

As you wander the ground you can definitely see remnants of when it was a Norman stronghold . Even thought it was quite grey the day we visited the mile plus walk to the castle through the Woodland Garden alongside the River Len was quite beautiful, especially s the daffodils were starting to bloom and there tons of water features. While the grounds were beautiful my favorite part was the actual castle tour where you can tour the staterooms.  So many royals have lived here or visited here starting with Queen Eleanor of Castile, first wife of Edward I, in 1278 but I definitely feel like the Honoroable Olive, Lady Baillie who redid the castle in 1926 in the  Medieval and Tudor style would have been a great friend. Take a look inside Leeds Castle in Kent: 

^ The library was serious goals 

After our self guided tour of the staterooms we explored the gardens, the maze, and the grotto before heading to the Cliffs of Dover – stay tuned for that!  We had a great time and if you are looking for a day trip out of London I highly suggest a visit to Leeds Castle though be warned, the tickets are a bit pricey, but they are annual ones!

Wold you visit Leeds Castle in Kent?