Leeds Castle
Kent, England
Photo: Adusha, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Leeds Castle Foundation
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Nearest station
- Hollingbourne, 1.1 miles (straight-line)
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
- Note
- Maiden's Tower and B&B stays on site
Pinpoint
Broomfield, Maidstone ME17 1PL
Telephone 01622 765400
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Leeds Castle sits on two islands in a lake in the Kent countryside - a moated stronghold with roots in the 9th century, later remodelled as a retreat for Henry VIII, run today by a charitable foundation as much as a family attraction as a historic site. Beyond the castle there's a maze, a grotto, falconry displays, and a small train and ferry around the grounds, which is why reviewers with local memberships treat it as a repeat destination rather than a one-off visit.
At a glance
Who to know
Henry VIII · remodelled the moated castle as a retreat
Worth the trip
The maze and its underground grotto exit - reviewers with children rate this as the standout feature over the castle interior.
Before you go
Book tickets online in advance for a better price; some reviewers report the site now sells annual passes rather than standalone day tickets, so it's worth checking current ticket options before travelling if you're coming from a distance.
What visitors say
Leeds Castle reviews · 4.7 / 5 across 13,646 Google reviews
Reviewers enjoy Leeds Castle's grounds, activities and seasonal events, with several being repeat annual ticket holders who return year after year.
However, more than one reviewer raises concerns about value for money - noting there are no day passes (only yearly tickets, which is expensive for those living further away) and, in one case, criticizing high prices, entry queues and a chaotic, under-resourced cafe during a busy bank holiday visit.
“Absolutely loved it. Beautiful. Staff soo knowledgeable. But beware. No day passes only yearly tickets. You can come back but if you live far away it is very expensive. And dont tell me: oh, but if you have…”- Bernard Doring, visitor review
Within reach of Southend-on-Sea (21 miles), London (37 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Getting in - what Leeds Castle Foundation says
Free wheelchair loans. Complimentary mobility bus throughout day. Land train inaccessible. Electric mobility scooters prohibited inside castle. Reserved disabled parking. Fully accessible toilets across grounds. Castle View Restaurant has platform lift. Castle entrance step-free; ~45 metres cobblestones to island. Wheelchair lift inside (225kg capacity, maximum 2 wheelchairs). Upstairs rooms inacc
Taken from Leeds Castle Foundation’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
Weddings at Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle is on our wedding roll because Leeds Castle Foundation mentions weddings on their own site. Visit their site.
Comparing options? See every castle wedding venue in England, or the full UK wedding roll.
Dates, capacity, licensing and exclusivity change constantly and we hold none of it - treat this as a starting point and speak to the venue before you plan anything around it.
History
Led (Saxon chief) · 857 (wooden); 1119 (stone); 1278 (royal acquisition); 1519 (Henry VIII remodelling)
A Saxon chief called Led built a wooden structure on the site around 857. Norman lord Robert de Crevecoeur rebuilt it in stone in 1119, and King Edward I acquired it in 1278, investing significantly in its development. Henry VIII later remodelled it for Catherine of Aragon, and it was restored again in the 19th century before becoming a public attraction in 1976.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Plan your visit
- Combine this with
- Sutton Valence Castle is only 2.9 miles away - worth pairing into the same day. See Sutton Valence Castle →
- Tickets & opening times
- Check current prices and hours with the operator before travelling - details change more often than any directory can track.
- Data checked
- Ratings, review counts and the visitor-note quotes above were drawn from publicly available Google reviews. Castles change hands and adjust hours faster than any directory can track in real time.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “Arrived early, parking was well planned and well manned.” - Matthew Barrett
- Facilities
- “The cafe was pure, unorganised chaos (and this was before it got super busy) with a small menu too.” - Matthew Barrett
Common questions about Leeds Castle
Where is Leeds Castle?
Leeds Castle is in Kent, England, at Broomfield, Maidstone ME17 1PL.
Do you need a ticket to visit Leeds Castle?
Yes - Leeds Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Leeds Castle Foundation. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Can you stay overnight at Leeds Castle?
Yes - Leeds Castle offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the castle itself or within its grounds. See the Castles You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
What is the highlight of visiting Leeds Castle?
The maze and its underground grotto exit - reviewers with children rate this as the standout feature over the castle interior.
Is Leeds Castle a ruin or still intact?
Leeds Castle is largely intact - Maiden's Tower and B&B stays on site.
