Photo: Leeds Castle by Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About this place
Leeds Castle stands on two islands in the middle of a lake in Kent, a feature that has defined its character since the first stone structure was built here in the twelfth century.
Despite sharing a name with the Yorkshire city, it sits near Maidstone, and its name is thought to derive from the Saxon settlement that once occupied the site.
Royal ownership lasted for close to three centuries, from Edward I in 1278 until 1552, and during that time it passed through the hands of six medieval queens of England.
It is now run by the Leeds Castle Foundation and is open to the public.
Plan your visit
Open year-round (364 days per year); check the official website for seasonal hours and event closures.