Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle is a <a href="/facts/Castle/1mKnEHKJ">castle</a> in <a href="/facts/Kent/aYfQI6Fc">Kent</a>, England, 7 miles (11 km) southeast of <a href="/facts/Maidstone/JCeVFKbq">Maidstone</a>. It is built on islands in a lake formed by the <a href="/facts/River_Len/tSUDl8jw">River Len</a> to the east of the village of <a href="/facts/Leeds,_Kent/PgIntIyD">Leeds</a> and is a historic Grade I <a href="/facts/Listed_building/PPx6CnfU">listed estate</a>.
A castle has existed on the site since 857. In the 13th century, it came into the hands of King <a href="/facts/Edward_I_of_England/McXM7vvt">Edward I</a>, for whom it became a favourite residence; in the 16th century, <a href="/facts/Henry_VIII_of_England/LFgGAjh0">Henry VIII</a> used it as a dwelling for his first wife, <a href="/facts/Catherine_of_Aragon/5xnWq5WS">Catherine of Aragon</a>.
The present castle dates mostly from the early 19th century. Its last private owner, <a href="/facts/Olive,_Lady_Baillie/2EXJJogR">Olive, Lady Baillie</a>, left the castle in trust to open it to the public. It has been open since 1976.

Leeds Castle open-in-new

Leeds Castle