Leeds Castle

We had never been to Leeds Castle, so we got in our rental car and headed off across the narrow and crowded roads of south east England. Actually the drive was not too bad, but as usual, roads are narrow and you have to be constantly alert. So we started along this walk to the castle and immediately noticed that the trees and flowers were much further advanced than further north.

A big old tree with growths on the trunk.

A lake along the way.

This white peacock kept turning around and around making it quite easy to take a photo. They probably train them from birth to do this. Well, perhaps.

It appears to be tiptoe through the tulip time in England.

So eventually, you get to see the castle off in the distance.

A cottage of sorts in the grounds.

Part of the moat.

 

The entrance to the castle gate.

As I entered through the castle gate, I was hurried through by some attendants so that these horses and a carriage could enter which carried a couple who were getting married. Heavens knows how much money was required to have your wedding and reception there at the castle, but I suspect I would have to go back to work to pay for it. Then again, if I were the groom on this occasion I would be more than happy to go back to work because the bride was distinctly ugly. Money was the attraction, I suppose.

The oval lawn in front of the castle. It was not quite as flat as a bowling green, but it was pretty close.

The main part of the castle with the lawn in front.

A hallway leading to the area of the castle that had been done in the older style. Like most houses, the castle had been much changed over the years.

The queen's bathing area. The curtain was for modesty.

It's difficult to tell, but the floor in this room is made with ebony.

A citrcular staircase leading upstairs to the floor which was redone by Lady Baillie who was the last owner to live in the castle.

Looking down into the courtyard.

The Board Room.

The room where Sadat and Dayan met in preparation for the Camp David Accords. The castle still hosts important meetings on occasion. In the background is a painting of Lady Baillie with her two daughters. Often when you look at paintings of the rich, you sometimes get the impression that the women were beaten with the ugly stick, but not with these two girls.

A painting of Lola Montez in Lady Baillie's husbands room. If you read her history, you would start to wonder why her painting was here in this room.

The castle wall and moat.

A music room. Actually it would make a pretty good room for my stereo system and it's one of those rooms that make you feel relaxed and comfortable to be in.

My next set of gloves with matching pickaxe.

The dining room that can also be hired for your wedding reception.

And so we wandered off back to the car park, past one of the famous views.

It was very difficult to read the inscriptions on the grave stones, but they appear to be for the dogs.

Overall, I would say that Leeds Castle is worth visiting if you are in the vicinity, but like most castles, it's a oncer.