You cannot walk around the main grounds and inside Leeds Castle for free; you need an entry ticket for the full experience, but you might see the exterior from a public footpath, and dining/evening events sometimes offer free access to specific areas, according to their website. The estate is a paid attraction for exploring the castle, gardens, maze, and more, though some walks offer views of the outside.
About the walk. Majestically moated and surrounded by beautiful grounds, Leeds Castle is a truly ethereal sight. On this walk you can see the exterior free of charge, but a glance may whet your appetite to pay up and look inside.
Try one of our three circular walks around the Estate. Whether with young children or a group of friends, follow the marker posts to enjoy spectacular views of the Castle and grounds.
No, if you already have a ticket then you can just walk up on the day, but we do advise that you pre-book your visit online to get a discounted entry rate.
Leeds Castle entry fees vary by ticket type, with Explorer Tickets (around £33 online for adults) offering general access and Ultimate Explorer Tickets (around £43.50 online for adults) including extra activities like adventure golf and boat rides, plus all tickets allow free re-entry for a year. Prices are higher when purchased on-site compared to online, and children (3-15) and families have different rates.
Yes, Leeds Castle is generally considered worth visiting, especially for its stunning scenery, rich history (a royal residence for medieval queens), and extensive grounds with family-friendly attractions like a maze, adventure playgrounds, falconry, and beautiful gardens, though some find it pricey, making the annual pass a good value if you plan to return for different events like jousting or fireworks.
Yes, you can absolutely walk the Kennet and Avon Canal, as its towpath is a popular, well-established route for both short strolls and long-distance hiking, running 96 miles from Reading to Bristol through beautiful countryside, historic towns like Bath, and scenic spots like Caen Hill Locks, with easy access via public transport for day walks.
Leeds is known for its fantastic selection of beautiful free parks and nature trails. There are plenty of options to choose from, but we'd recommend Golden Acre Park, Roundhay Park, and Horsforth Hall Park as some of the best parks in Leeds.
A more recent source states that the castle has been used for The Hollow Crown television series, for a Bollywood action movie called Rustom and for "Darkest Hour", "Casanova, Classic Mary Berry (BBC1), Who Do You Think You Are special with Danny Dyer, Antiques Roadtrip (BBC1), and What Would Your Kid Do? (ITV)".
So our current princess of Wales is descended from the Boleyn family through Mary Boleyn and her daughter by Henry, Catherine. Kate is also descended from working class County Durham coal miners which is just as good as being descended from aristocracy.
Leeds Castle is owned by the Leeds Castle Foundation, a charitable trust established by its last private owner, Lady Olive Baillie, who left the castle to the foundation in her will in 1974 for public benefit and preservation. The foundation opened the castle to the public in 1976, and it remains a privately owned charity today.
In some accounts—especially noted by Alison Weir—witnesses claimed that Anne's lips were moving when her head was held up. As was customary, the executioner held up her head and declared, “This is what happens to the enemies of the King.” Some said her lips were still moving.
Leeds Castle doesn't offer general free entry, but you can get free access through specific promotions like the National Lottery Open Week, use a BBC Gardeners' World 2-for-1 card, visit for free all year with an Explorer ticket, or enter for free as an infant (under 3). You can also get free parking and visit the shop/restaurant without an entry ticket.
During its lifetime, the castle has been home to six medieval queens – Eleanor, Isabella, Philippa of Hainhault (wife of Edward III), Joan of Navarre, Catherine de Valois and Catherine of Aragon. Elizabeth I was imprisoned here for a time before her coronation.
Try one of our three circular walks around the Estate. Whether with young children or a group of friends, follow the marker posts to enjoy spectacular views of the Castle and grounds.
Lady Baillie paid around £550,000 for Leeds Castle and lived there until her death in 1974, during which time she completely restored and developed the buildings and the estate. Lady Baillie was a famous hostess, who entertained aristocracy, politicians and film stars.
With your ticket to Leeds Castle here in Maidstone, Kent the options are endless from thrilling jousting displays to immersive exhibitions and stunning sculpture trails.
