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Opening Times
Leeds Castle is open all year round, except Christmas Day and on certain concert days (see official website for dates):
The grounds open daily at 10am
The castle opens daily at 10.30am
1 April to 30 September:
Last admission at 5.00pm (last entry to castle 5.30pm)
Gates close 7.00pm
1 October to 20 March:
Last admission at 3.00pm (last entry to castle 3.30pm)
Gates close at 5.00pm
Admission Prices
Adult | £14.00 |
Child (4 - 15 years) | £8.50 |
Senior Citizen / Student / Disabled | £11.00 |
Carer | Free |
Group rates also available; see official website for details. | |
Note: Tickets to Leeds Castle grant admission to the castle and grounds for one year from the date of purchase. | |
Official Website
(Opens in separate window)
Facilities
Car Park
Free
Eating
Fairfax restaurant, Wykeham Martin tea room, kiosks and picnic areas.
For Kids
Baby changing facilities
Special Needs
Most of the castle and its grounds are accessible to all visitors, disabled toilets, guide-dogs and hearing dogs are allowed, wheelchairs available, fully accessible land train and minibus. All the birds in the aviary are viewable from a wheelchair.
Restrictions
No dogs except assistance dogs and no pushchairs are allowed inside the castle.
Attractions
Animal Collections
Birds
Note: The animal pictures on this page are merely representative of this type of attraction; they do not mean that the animals can be found at this specific attraction.
Star Animals
Black swans, von der Decken Hornbill, Fischers Tourace, Crowned Hornbill, Toco Toucans, Parakeets and many more.
Special Attractions
Falconry displays (March to September only), The Duckery, Leeds Castle, Dog Collar Museum, park and gardens, maze and grotto.
Other Attractions
Land train and minibus, weddings and functions,
Description
The Royal Manor was built in AD 857 with the royal ownership began in 1278 with its most famous owner, Henry VIII taking residence in 1520 transforming Leeds Castle into a magnificent castle. Lady Baillee then totally transformed the Castle in 1924 and finally bequeathed Leeds Castle and surrounding grounds to the Leeds Castle Foundation in 1974.
Leeds Castle is set admidt 500 acres of grounds surrounding the castle and its moat.
Set in a walled garden overlooking the Great Water at Leeds Castle is the Aviary, home to over 100 species of endangered birds. The aims of the collection are to create public awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation and increase an already successful breeding program, with a view to safeguarding threatened species for future generations. The aviary has also become noted for its many breeding successes, and a number of breeding firsts, which include von der Decken Hornbill, Fischers Touraco, and Crowned Hornbill.
On open ground near the famous yew maze, the Hawking Centre holds regular flying displays choreographed to music, at 1pm and 3pm between March and September only. Stars of the show include Darlene the Seriema, Lurch the African White-backed Vulture, and Jack the only free-flying Augur Buzzard in the UK, together with Eagles, Falcons, Hawks, and Owls. Audience participation, particularly for the youngsters, is also a major feature of the demonstrations. The centre also offers a variety of falconry courses, from single days to several weeks.
How To Get There:
By Car
Leeds Castle is situated 7 miles east of Maidstone, just off the M20 at junction 8. It is just 1 hour from London, 30 minutes from the Dartford River Crossing, and 30 minutes from the Channel Tunnel and Channel Ports.
Clearly signposted from all routes; follow the brown and white tourist signs.
Note to satnav users: follow the tourist signs once you reach the A20, otherwise you may be directed to a private entrance.
From London:
Follow the M20 east past Maidstone and towards Ashford and Folkestone. Leave the motorway at junction 8 and continue onto the A20 towards Ashford. Then follow the tourist signs to the Leeds Castle entrance.
From Folkestone (and the Channel Tunnel and Ports):
Follow the M20 north west past Ashford and on towards Maidstone and London. Leave the motorway at junction 8 and `double back' onto the A20 towards Ashford. Then follow the tourist signs to the Leeds Castle entrance.
From Margate (and Canterbury):
Follow the A28 south west through Canterbury and on towards Ashford. Either continue on the A28 to join the M20 at Ashford, and continue as described above (from Folkestone), or turn right onto the A252 at Chilham. Continue on the A252 through Challock, then turn right onto the A20 towards Maidstone and London at Charing. After passing through the villages of Lenham and Harrietsham, the A20 will cross under the M20 and Leeds Castle will then be on your left; follow the tourist signs to the entrance.
From Hastings:
Take the A21 north east towards Royal Tunbridge Wells, then turn right onto the A229 towards Maidstone. Shortly after passing through the small village of Linton, turn right onto the B2163 and continue through Boughton Monchelsea, across the A274 at Five Wents, and on through Langley Heath and Leeds village. After passing through Leeds, look out for the tourist signs to the entrance to Leeds Castle, which will be on your right, possibly after joining the A20 (towards Ashford).
By Coach:
National Express operates a special direct service from London Victoria Coach Station, with combined travel and admission tickets, on all days Leeds Castle is open. Departs 9:00am with several pick-up points in South London, arriving at 10:25am. Returns at 3:05pm to arrive back at Victoria at 4:50pm. Special services also operate to certain special events at the castle.
Leeds Castle is also on the itinerary of several sightseeing coach tours from London and other areas of the South East.
By Public Transport
By Train:
The nearest station is Bearsted, on the London Victoria to Ashford line, an hour from London. A connecting coach service then runs to Leeds Castle. All-in-one train fare, coach service, and admission tickets available; see official website for details.
Data on this page last updated: Sep 30 2007
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