The first historical record of a building is listed in the Domesday Survey of 1086, where the ‘Manor of Esledes’ was owned by Odo the Bishop of Bayeux, who was also the half-brother of William the Conqueror.
Leeds Castle has a long history of noblemen, kings and queens, but it was not until the 16th century that King Henry VIII transformed it from a fortified stronghold to a magnificent royal palace.
Leeds Castle was the last Castle to visit on our tour, and here I found the indoors to be the most interesting part – but let’s have a short look at the roses first, and the multitude of Hollyhocks!
Jumping into the 20th century, during the 1930s, Leeds Castle became one of the great country houses of England and a centre of lavish hospitality for leading statesmen, European royalty and film stars. The interior decorations are very stylish in cool colours, giving it quite a modern feeling. There are not many castles you feel you actually could live in – but Leeds Castle, yes.
In 1974 the castle and grounds were finally left to a specially created charity called the Leeds Castle Foundation, whose main aim was, and still is, to preserve the castle for future generations to enjoy. The reputation of Leeds Castle as a leading visitor attraction and conference venue grew, and in 1978 it was chosen as the location for the Middle East peace talks that preceded the Camp David Accords of the same year.
Since then Leeds Castle has become one of England’s top tourist attractions with over 600,000 visitors a year.
Leya 
This is very homely for a castle and a magnificent garden
Good word for it – thank you. Homely it was!
It’s quite nearby, dear Ann-Christine, but we have never heard about it.
Now we will soon go and have a look.
We could easily live in there 😉
Thanks
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Haha, well, have a nice visit!
How the wealthy lived! Thanks for the tour. Not made it there yet.
Thank you for coming with me – I found this castle to be more of a modern kind. Much more light and the colours not that dark as many other castles.
Love the two courtyards you have shown…the leaded windows and timbered walls of the first
Thank you, Sue –
Although of course I love your garden photos, I do admire your interior shots. I find stately ‘omes particularly difficult to get good images from.
Thank you for your kind comment, Margaret! I find indoors to be difficult too, but somehow this castle made it easier to photograph. Maybe because they put some furniture in corners and in smaller groups. And the light was good, not as dark as some stately homes are.
Wonderful place
I thought so – thank you!
Beautiful.
♥
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A wonderful castle and grounds
Glad you liked it too, Brian. It looked quite modern.
Wow! The castle is magnificent. I loved the gardens and the rooms you photographed. Beautiful galleries!
Thank you, I really liked it because of its more modern look – quite liveable.
Were they preparing for wedding? All those champagne glasses!!
The signs said they often arranged weddings – so maybe?
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