Leeds Castle Renovation: The Courtyard Exhibition Rooms

The Fairfax Courtyard is the site of the Leeds Castle estate stable yard built in the early 20^th century which comprised a number of stables as well as grooms’ accommodation and tack rooms. The rooms are currently used for guests and visitor accommodation with the stables serving as catering outlets.

Artist’s Impression – Exhibition Rooms

We are now renovating the south stable block which has housed our renowned Dog Collar Collection in recent years, to provide two separate exhibition spaces, one which will primarily be used to display the dog collars, with the other available for a variety of different exhibitions and activities for visitors’ enjoyment throughout the year.

Puppies in front of the stable yard buildings

The work will be done during winter 2013/14 and comprises internal renovation and refurbishment, together with the creation of new route to the Culpeper Garden.

The project will cost over £100,000 with building work being carried out by Leeds Castle’s own buildings and maintenance crew and interior design and presentation by Designmap.

Lady Baillie with her Alastian, Elsa.

We very much hope the project will not inconvenience you during your visit and are grateful to you all for your support, without which preservation of these buildings would not be possible.

The Leeds Castle Foundation exists to preserve Leeds Castle for the benefit of the public. If you would like to help us, there are donation boxes around the estate or you can donate by texting LCGH01 plus amount to 70070.

Leeds Castle voted the best Heritage Wedding Venue in Kent!

The Kent Wedding Awards are unique to Kent, and focus totally on the couples, venues, services and suppliers involved in organising weddings within our county.

The Hospitaity Team from Leeds Castle, “the loveliest castle in the world” last week attended the gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Mercure Maidstone, having been shortlisted for three awards including: Wedding Venue of the Year, Wedding Venue of the Year – Heritage and Wedding Planner of the Year.

Leeds Castle was up against some of the most popular wedding venues in Kent, but the judges were looking for “the venue that really 'goes the extra mile' for the couple”.

The castle was last week awarded ‘Wedding Venue of the Year – Heritage’ and given the following praise from Paul Ross, media personality and elder brother of Jonathan Ross:

‘Leeds Castle offers all the benefits of a fairytale wedding without missing out on any modern day comforts. Fantastic attention to every detail, delicious menu options and elegant well cared for halls and rooms to marry in that looked equally beautiful in day light or candlelight. Excellent quality presentation that showcased the venue , the staff and the wedding experience’.

Hospitality Business Manager, Debbie Matthews said:

“Winning the historic venue award is an accolade we are very proud of, Leeds Castle is ‘the loveliest castle in the world’ and a magical venue for a wedding celebration.

It takes more than looks to be an award winning venue, we look after the couple and their families during the months of planning and throughout the day to ensure we have exceeded their expectations and given them a day they will never forget”.

If you are planning your wedding, book a complimentary show round of our fantastic venues by calling our Hospitality team today on 01622 767877.

Movember is ‘fan-tash-tic’ at Leeds Castle

Each year, brave and selfless employees in office across the country come together, united in their commitment to fine moustachery and changing the face of men’s health.

The Movember journey requires dedication and members of staff from Leeds Castle “the loveliest castle in the world” have decided to abandon their grooming routines for the entire month and share in the experience of growing a ‘Mo’ to raise money for charity.

The mass ‘moustachiasation’ of the Castle Estate has already begun so look out for the early signs of moustaches appearing on staff members when you visit. Don’t forget to sponsor them!

In support of the Movember prostate cancer appeal, visitors can now see a giant moustache on the side of the scaffolding currently covering the Castle’s Gloriette.

As part of on-going preservation work undertaken by the Leeds Castle Charitable Foundation, a restoration project is taking place this winter and again next winter requiring a major programme of stonework repair, replacing up to 30% of the stone and pointing with lime mortar.

 The restoration project will cost nearly £1.7 million, funded by our visitors. Universal StoneLtd. a company with much experience in restoring heritage buildings will carry out the work for us.

A range of moustache themed gifts are also available in the Castle shops, including coasters, mugs, spectacle holders and moustache disguise sunglasses all priced at under £10!