Leeds Castle

The Leeds Castle is located about six kilometers southeast of Maidstone, right in the heart of the English county of Kent. The castle and its lands were named after the small village of Leeds, to which they are adjacent. This village should not be confused with about two hundred miles more northerly city of Leeds.

Leeds Castle was already in the Domesday Book of William the Conqueror, the English Doomsday Book, mention. It has been gradually used over the centuries as a Norman fortress, as a residence of six medieval queens, a palace of Henry VIII, and as a haven for the rich and powerful. In the 1000 years of its existence, the castle has survived many battles, powerful statesmen houses and inspired many artists. Today, it is under the management of the Leeds Castle Foundation and is annually the goal of many thousands of people seeking recovery.

History

• 857: The history of Leeds Castle began in 857 with the construction of a royal mansion called Esledes. It was during the reign of King Ethelbert of Wessex owned by the Anglo-Saxon royal house.

Leeds Castle today

Leeds Castle and the grounds and gardens surrounding the castle are now a significant recreation center in Kent. On the site there are various bird houses, a golf course, a maze and the only dog collar museum in the world. There is also a regular venue for outdoor concerts with renowned artists and an annual hot air balloon spectacle.

It belongs to the Consortium Treasure Houses of England.