For a few years now I have been wanting to revisit Leeds Castle. I had visited previously in 1988 - 32 years ago! On July 9th of last year my wish finally came true!
I was able to get a train (after waiting for a bit) to Victoria. An electrical work train had derailed between Clapham Junction (busiest rail station in England is its claim to fame) and Victoria had closed down five routes so everything was backed up. Luckily I made the next train from Victoria to Bearstead, Kent which was luckily not affected by the derailment with not much time to spare.
I had gone on a weekday rather than a weekend to avoid crowds however that had disadvantages as well. Upon getting into the van that would take me to the castle I found out that the last pickup at the castle was at 3 p.m. and it was now 11:30 a.m. That left me just three hours at the castle. If I stayed later I was facing an expensive taxi ride back to the station instead of a five-pound return fare. That was the only damper on the day but in the end, I was able to see everything I wanted to see.
It takes about twenty minutes to walk from the parking lot where I was dropped off to the castle but it's not a hardship...
Leeds Castle began as a Norman stronghold in the 11th century and became a Royal Palace in the 13th century. Henry VIII transformed it into a lavish palace where he and his first wife Catherine of Aragon visited from time to time. In 1552 after 300 years of Royal ownership, Leeds Castle moved into private hands and it has been this way ever since. Lady Baillie owned the castle from the 1920's until her death in the 70's. The castle served as a rehabilitation centre for wounded servicemen during World War II and the grounds were used for secret weapon research. During this time Lady Baillie and her family moved to a different part of the castle. Upon her death, the castle was bequeathed to the Leeds Castle Foundation. The history is way more than I want to go into here but is fascinating - here is a link if you are curious to find out more.
The admission was 24 pounds - and that's for a senior! I knew before I went though so it wasn't a shock. And it's good for a year...a fat lot of good that has done me! Although I guess I could have gone to see it decorated for Christmas...hmmm never thought of that darn it. Because I sure as hell won't be paying that much to go again!
Books, books, books! I could be comfortable here for days and days. As long as they kept the tea coming!
I'm not sure how comfy that sofa would be...hmmm..think I'd have to lean against a cushion and put my feet up! (and immediately be booted out!)
The castle's interior has been restored to reflect the various passages of time - some is semi-modern and others is from the Tudor area and everything in between! Here is the dining room which has entertained such guests as David Niven, John F Kennedy, Winston Churchill and Douglas Fairbanks. Yes that Lady Baillie knew how to party!
This is the recreation of Queen Catherine de Valois's (widow of King Henry V) bed chamber as it was in the 15th century.
And this is a recreation of her bathroom!
I love peering through windows!
This is the Queen's Gallery
Not the greatest shot in the world but above are busts of Henry VIII and his three children - Mary I, Eliizabeth I and Edward VI.
And now we enter the Henry VIII Banqueting Hall. This is the largest room in the castle. Henry VIII arranged for this room to be repaired, updated and fireplaces with chimneys to be installed.
Here is the Yellow Drawing room. This was Lady Baillie's favourite room which she had designed in the French 18th century style. It was totally restored in 2017.
Now it's time to go outside!
These are the ruins of the Barbican which was part of the original castle.
And the view from the riverside beside it.
Next up was the dog collar museum featuring collars through the ages. The collars above are awful. OUCH!!! Poor doggies!!
There is a falconry show as well which I watched for a while but I didn't take any pictures. I wasn't very close and sometimes you just need to be "in the moment" and enjoy.
Then I started walking slowly back to the parking lot - yes it was getting close to the time to leave!
And then it was time to leave.....I definitely could have stayed longer but I managed to see what I wanted although I was always aware of the clock ticking.
Leeds Castle is expensive but to me it is worth it especially if you schedule the whole day there. Here is more information on the castle and its history. While the eclectic design of the castle - eg: Tudor era and 1920's would drive an OCD person crazy I loved it as it gave you more of an idea of its interesting history. (if only those walls could talk!)
Definitely recommended for a visit!
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