Leeds Castle

Type:Castle / Fort

Leeds, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1PL

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 5459 reviews5459 reviews

Add Leeds Castle to your Itinerary

Close window

Call direct on:

Tel01622 765400

Leeds Castle early morning sunrise.

Book Tickets Online

About

Set in 500 acres of Kentish parkland, Leeds Castle has been a Norman stronghold; the private property of six of England’s medieval queens; a palace used by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon; a Jacobean country house; a Georgian mansion; an elegant early 20th century retreat for the influential and famous; and in the 21st century, it has become one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain.

The Castle’s last private owner, Lady Baillie, bought the Castle in 1926 and transformed it into an elegant setting for glorious weekend parties. Sir Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin and John F. Kennedy are amongst the roll-call of many other influential guests who enjoyed Lady Baillie’s hospitality during this time.

All admission tickets last 12 months, meaning you can visit as many times as you like for up to one year. Visitors can also enjoy many attractions and events, including the Adventure Golf and Knight’s Stronghold Playground alongside falconry, stunning gardens and maze and grotto.


Leeds Castle also offers holiday cottages, bed and breakfast rooms on the grounds, medieval glamping, an extravagant manor house and the opportunity to stay in the luxurious Castle bedrooms or Maiden’s Tower as part of a private event or wedding celebrations.

Leeds Castle is located near Maidstone in Kent just off Junction 8 of the M20 and only one hour’s drive from London.

.

Other Great Things at Leeds Castle

You can book a stay the have cottages and bed and breakfast rooms.

Leeds Castle is also a great place to book a meeting or your wedding, so please click through if these are of interest to you.

 

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
FamilyFree
Adult (16+) On-line - Explorer Ticket£30.00 per ticket
Adult (16+) On-line - Ultimate Explorer Ticket£40.00 per ticket
Adult (16+) On-site - Ultimate Explorer Ticket£45.00 per ticket
Adults (16+) On-site - Explorer Ticket£35.00 per ticket
Child - On-site (aged 3-15 years) Explorer Ticket£25.00 per ticket
Child (3-15 years) On-line - Explorer Ticket£22.50 per ticket
Child (3-15 years) On-site - Ultimate Explorer Tick£32.50 per ticket
Child (3-15 yrs) On-line Ultimate Explorer Ticket£30.00 per ticket
Infant (under 3)Free

All disabled tickets include one free carer

Group Rates: https://leeds-castle.com/experience/group-visits/
Learning and Schools: https://leeds-castle.com/learning-schools/

Events

Saturday, 9th November 2024 - Saturday, 9th November 2024

Amazing firework display at Leeds Castle.Leeds Castle Fireworks Spectacular House PartyWatch the famous Leeds Castle Fireworks Spectacular in style, as you and your loved ones enjoy an afternoon and evening of fine dining and first-class hospitality, before you ‘oooh’ and ‘ahhh’ as a mesmerising fireworks display brightens the sky overhead.
more info

Saturday, 9th November 2024 - Sunday, 10th November 2024

Amazing firework display at Leeds Castle.Leeds Castle Fireworks SpectacularThe biggest and best fireworks display in the South East of England returns for 2023!
more info

Friday, 22nd November 2024 - Wednesday, 1st January 2025

Children looking at Leeds Castle illuminated for ChristmasChristmas Lights at Leeds CastleFollowing on from the huge success of last year's Christmas Lights at Leeds Castle, Sony Music will return with its magical illuminations - with a new twist for 2023.
more info

Facilities

Other

  • Audio Commentary in Foreign Languages
  • Educational Visits Accepted
  • Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors
  • Facilities for Visually Impaired Visitors
  • Family Fun
  • Groups Accepted
  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • Guided Tours Available for Groups
  • Indoor Attraction
  • On-Site café/restaurant
  • Outdoor Attraction
  • Parking (free)
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
  • Picnic Site
  • Printed Material in Foreign Languages
  • Toilets for Disabled Visitors
  • Village Location

Accessibility

  • Disabled facilities (please call for details)

Establishment Features

  • Conference facilities
  • Staff Fluent in Languages - Other

Languages spoken

  • Dutch spoken
  • French spoken
  • German spoken
  • Spanish spoken

Parking & Transport

  • On site parking

Payment Methods

  • Euros accepted
  • MasterCard accepted
  • Special group rates
  • Visa accepted

Provider Preferences

  • In countryside

Travel & Trade

  • Min group size numeric qualifier - 15

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      3173
    • Very Good
      1345
    • Average
      463
    • Poor
      229
    • Terrible
      249

    Recent Reviews:

    • bobboze
      Chula Vista, California
      Our favorite castle
      5 of 5 stars
      Monday, 2nd September 2024
      Leeds Castle has always been my favorite castle. Whether you visit it as part of a multistop tour or just on its own, it's a "must visit" on my list. Unlike other castles it's small, warm and... Read full review
    • sue7652015
      Crawley, United Kingdom
      lovely place to visit, wish it opened longer hours, would have liked a bit longer to buy food
      4 of 5 stars
      Sunday, 8th September 2024
      Beautiful place, bit of something for all ages, food availability for longer would have been helpful. Maybe longer openinng hours overall? Read full review
    • Marius M
      Very nice area to have day out...
      5 of 5 stars
      Monday, 9th September 2024
      Had an amazing and memorable time. So friendly and helpful staff members. The huge park are looked after very well. Super tasty food at the restaurant. Nice castle to visit. Provided areas for... Read full review

    Map & Directions

    Road Directions

    7 miles east of Maidstone, Junction 8 of the M20 motorway just 1 hour from London, 30 minutes from the Channel Tunnel and Channel Ports. Clearly sign posted from all routes - following the brown and white tourist signs.

    Car parking at Leeds Castle is FREE.

    Public Transport Directions

    Southeastern run frequent services to and from Bearsted and a coach shuttle service run by Spot Travel is available from the station from April to September.

    Nuventure no.13 bus from Maidstone to Hollingbourne.

    Arriva no.13 bus from Maidstone to Hollingbourne.

    Leeds Castle is just 25 miles from the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone and 38 miles from the port of Dover.

    Opening Times

    Open New Year
    2024 Opening (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)

    * Apr-Sept: Grounds Open 10am-6pm. Last Ticket sold 4.30pm. Castle open 10.30am-5.30pm. Last entry to Castle 5pm.

    Oct-Mar: Grounds Open 10am-5pm. Last Ticket sold 3.00pm. Castle open 10.30am-4.00pm. Last entry to Castle 3.30pm.

    Awards

    • Visit BritainWe're Good to Go We're Good to Go 2020
    • Regional and MiscellaneousWTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021

    What's Nearby

    1. Hot Air Balloon Rides Over Hollingbourne

      Enjoy an unforgettable hot air balloon ride over Hollingbourne, right next door to the…

      0.26 miles away
    2. Go Ape - Leeds Castle

      We’ll brief you for safety before you fly down our zip-wires, leap off our Tarzan Swing…

      0.61 miles away
    3. Segways at Leeds Castle

      Take an escorted tour of the castle's picturesque grounds on a Segway, the world's only…

      0.71 miles away
    1. Wildshark Vineyard

      Nestled in the Harrietsham countryside, off the A20, sits their brand new, eco-friendly,…

      1.5 miles away
    2. Delta Hotels by Marriott Tudor Park Country Club Golf Course

      Tee off from the 18-hole Championship golf course at Delta Hotels by Marriott Tudor Park…

      1.68 miles away
    3. Stoneacre

      15th century half timbered Yeoman's house featuring a great hall and crownpost,…

      1.89 miles away
    4. Bearsted Market on the Green

      Bearsted Market on the Green is held on the 1st Sunday of the Month on the village green.

      2.02 miles away
    5. Bearsted Golf Course

      18-hole parkland golf course with view of the North Downs. Professional coaching…

      2.5 miles away
    6. This Art of Mine

      This Art of Mine is a pottery painting art and craft studio located in the beautiful Kent…

      2.78 miles away
    7. Hucking Estate

      This beautiful ancient woodland sits on top of the North Downs and has one of the most…

      2.78 miles away
    8. Sutton Valence Castle

      This is an imposing ruined castle with a history dating from c.12th century. The great…

      2.78 miles away
    9. Augustine Camino Pilgrimage Trail

      The Augustine Camino Pilgrimage Trail follows a route through the beautiful North Downs…

      2.83 miles away
    10. Thurnham Castle

      Thurnham Castle and the site on which it stands appears to have been used for…

      3.11 miles away
    11. North Downs Way National Trail

      The path was opened in 1978 and most of it is within easy reach of London. The good…

      3.11 miles away
    12. Sutton Valence Farmers Market

      Occurs on the 3rd Saturday of every month. This farmers market takes place in the village…

      3.12 miles away
    13. White Horse Wood Country Park

      The White Horse Country Park is set within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural…

      3.18 miles away
    Previous Next

    Related

    Woman enjoying Go Ape in harnessGo Ape - Leeds Castle, MaidstoneWe’ll brief you for safety before you fly down our zip-wires, leap off our Tarzan Swing and tackle our crossings whilst enjoying some of Britain’s most breath taking scenery up in the trees.

    Leeds Castle - Castle View Restaurant, Maidstone

    Friends outside glamping tent at Leeds Castle Knight's GlampingKnight's Glamping at Leeds Castle, Maidstone

    Sunrise over Leeds CastleLeeds Castle, MaidstoneThe perfect venue for mixing business with pleasure. Set on an island surrounded by a moat in the heart of Kent, the Castle provides peace, privacy and security for residential and day conferences, meetings, corporate hospitality and banqueting.

    Wedding couple on the croquet lawn outside Leeds CastleLeeds Castle, MaidstoneBeautiful by design and first-class hostess to royalty, nobility, and glamorous guests for over 900 years, Leeds Castle rises majestically from the water in the stunning Kentish countryside near Maidstone, an idyllic, historic and romantic destination for your wedding and celebration.

    Lakeside Lodge at Leeds CastleLakeside Lodges at Leeds Castle, MaidstoneExperience the beauty of nature and indulge in the novel Lakeside Lodges at Leeds Castle, providing an exceptionally unique and unforgettable stay with stunning views overlooking the Great Water.

    Ratings & Reviews

    Powered By

    Don't Miss

    Don't Miss

    Don't Miss

    Don't Miss

    Don't Miss

    Don't Miss