Cinema under the stars at Leeds Castle

Tickets are on sale now for two evenings of classic cinema under the stars at Leeds Castle, on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 September 2013.

The Luna Cinema are the country's leading producer of open air cinema, and will present on a giant inflatable screen – “The Blues Brothers” and “Casablanca”, two unforgettable films with the stunning backdrop of the 900 year old castle.

On Friday night, sing along to ‘Rawhide’ with Jake and Elwood Blues at our screening of the cult 1980 American musical comedy “The Blues Brothers” starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.

Then on Saturday evening, enjoy one of the most beloved American films, “Casablanca”. Follow the WWII romance of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, from that infamous Moroccan gin joint.

The whole family will enjoy these late summer evenings of outdoor cinema. Bring a picnic rug and try some spatchcock chicken or hickory smoked rump beef from official caterers Cock 'n' Bull Rotisserie.

The Luna Cinema 2013 season is proudly sponsored by Haagen Dazs.

Gates open at 6pm for both events and tickets must be pre-booked. They cost £15 for adults and £12 for children aged 5 – 15 (Casablanca only). Visit www.leeds-castle.com/events. 

Are you a brave Knight or a beautiful Princess?

Are you looking for something fun to do with the kids during the summer holiday? Why not send them back to school….at Leeds Castle! 

Visit Leeds Castle from the 24 to the 26 august and enrol your brave knight’s and beautiful princesses at our very own ‘knight and princess school’.

Children aged 2 to 10 years old can dress up in chainmail and helmets in the armour zone and try out their combat skills in a foam sword battle.

Sword fighting lessons using wooden training swords and real medieval techniques will be available, plus an interactive mini warrior battle show for the whole family which will re-enact the battle of Agincourt with the children cast as English archers.

The princess show will teach the etiquette needed to meet a prince, with the opportunity to try on beautiful dresses and learn a medieval courtly dance.

Your key to the castle ticket is valid for the knight and princess school event. Tickets cost £21 for adults; £18.50 for seniors and visitors with disabilities (carer goes free); £13.50 for children (under 4’s free). Tickets are valid for 12 months so you can pay once and visit all year round.

Make the most of the summer holidays at Leeds Castle

Are you looking for ways to entertain the family over the summer holidays? Join us at Leeds Castle for fun daily activities, competitions, tours and trails as we celebrate the 6 weeks of freedom! Get up close and personal with our feathered friends, get hands on with woodland crafts or become a fair maiden of brave knight at our knight and princess school. Along with our daily falconry displays, maze and grotto, the Knight’s Realm, Elsie the Land Train and The Black Swan Ferry they will be kept entertained for hours. Check out all of our summer holiday events and activities below:

Kent Wildlife Trust

Date: Monday 29 July to Thursday 1 August

Time: 10am to 5pm.

Where: Outside the Falconry Office

The Kent Wildlife Trust will be celebrating all things that live in the sea! Join in with free marine themed activities, an anagram challenge and quiz the on hand experts with any questions you may have about sea-life or nature. 

The Quest For The King's Key

Date: Friday 2^nd August, Tuesday 13^th August, Tuesday 20^th August & Friday 30^th August

Time: 11.30am, 1pm & 3pm

Where: Storytelling sessions start and end at the Pavilion and last approx. 30 mins

King Henry The Eighth is a little distracted as he has lost the key to a chest containing his favourite and most valuable ring. Join Raggedy Jack on your quest to find the Kings key. Hear about the magical creatures that live in the castle grounds and discover some of the secret and strange places they live.   

RSPB

Date: Saturday 3^rd August – Sunday 1^st September

Time: 10am – 5pm

Where: Outside the Falconry Office

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds will be offering fun wildlife activities including; identification challenges, quizzes, and the chance to use a pair of binoculars and telescopes. Experts will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about birds and other wildlife.

Woodland Crafts

Date: Saturday 3^rd – Sunday 11^th August

Where: Pavilion Lawn

Have a go at making woodcrafts this summer holiday. With natural materials found from Leeds Castle grounds, enjoy building mini rafts, necklaces and pinecone creatures on the Pavilion Lawn. There is a small additional charge of £2 for this activity. 

Meet the Wildlife Warden

Date: Every Wednesday in August

Time: 11.00am – 11.30am

Where: Outside the Falconry Office

An opportunity to ask the wildlife warden about black swans, meet a British owls and use a pair of binoculars to enjoy the castle’s beautiful wildlife.

Knight & Princess School

Date: Saturday 24 August - Monday 26 August

Join Leeds Castle’s Knight and Princess School. Brave knights can dress up in chainmail and helmets in the Armour Zone and try out their combat skills in a foam sword battle (suitable for ages 2 to 10).

Sword fighting lessons using wooden training swords and real Medieval techniques will be available plus an interactive Mini Warrior Battle Show for the whole family which will reenact The Battle of Agincourt with the children cast as English archers. The Princess Show will teach the etiquette needed to meet a Prince, with the opportunity to try on beautiful dresses and learn a Medieval courtly dance.

Meet the Falconer

Date: Friday 31st August

Time: 12pm – 12.30pm

Where: Outside the Falconry Office

Come and meet the Castle Falconer and get up close to one of our birds of prey. This is a fantastic chance to learn more about these amazing Leeds Castle birds and to ask questions to our expert handler.

So what are you waiting for? Bring the whole family to Leeds Castle to enjoy our many activities and events. Remember that if you pay once you can visit as often as you like! 

Five day total falconry course at Leeds Castle

Ever wanted to keep your own bird of prey? Keen to learn more about falconry? Our new five day course will provide you with the training you need to become an approved falconer! 

Our Head Falconer Mark Brattle is an approved Lantra assessor and will provide you will all the training you need plus your final exam to become an approved falconer.  

This exam is nationally recognised and so this course is ideal for anyone wishing to keep birds as a hobby, to learn more about the art of falconry or to continue into a career in the falconry industry.

During the week, our Falconry team will teach you how to feed, care for and handle a variety of birds.  

This course will help you with all the practicalities from how to choose and look after the right bird for you to basic bird first-aid.

You will cover both theory and practical activities, enabling you to approach the training of a bird with confidence.

The weeklong itinerary also includes learning the rich history of hawking and practising handling techniques and flying skills across the beautiful castle parkland with our Harris Hawks.

Each day will run from 10am – 4pm and the total price of £550 includes a delicious hot lunch from the 17^th century Fairfax Restaurant with views across the moat to the castle.

Advance booking is essential. Please visit leeds-castle.com/falconry or call 01622 767861 for more information.

A royal visit to Leeds Castle: Henry VIII and the Field of Cloth of Gold

On this day in 1520 King Henry VIII stayed at Leeds Castle with Queen Catherine of Aragon and an entourage of 5000 people. This was the best-documented royal visit to Leeds Castle and was a stop off between Greenwich and northern France for a ceremonial meeting with Francis I of France. This meeting became known from its magnificence as the Field of Cloth of Gold and was part of unsuccessful diplomatic attempts by Francis to woo the English away from their alliance with the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.

Staying at Leeds Castle

King Henry VIII travelled from London to Dover with an entourage of 3,997 people set out from Greenwich Palace on Sunday 21 May, 1520 and reached Leeds Castle on Monday 22nd May on the way to France. Queen Catherine of Aragon, Henry’s first wife, travelled in the same cavalcade accompanied by a personal suite numbering 1,175. Obviously not all of this vast concourse would have found quarters in the Castle, but the King, Cardinal Wolsey and nine other Bishops would have.  The entire upper floor of this part of the Castle was exclusively reserved for the Queen and her closest household staff, indeed the fireplaces decorated with her royal coat-of-arms and the symbols of Castile, a castle and a pomegranate, remain to this day.

At the time, Sir Henry Guildford was the Constable of the Guard at Leeds and as such was responsible for preparing the Castle for the King’s visit. It was his job to ensure food and sleeping places for everyone. He was paid £66-3s-3D (approx. £25,500 in today’s money). And given that the King had already paid some £860 for the necessary repairs and alterations to the Castle, the visit was an expensive undertaking; especially considering the Royal party only stayed for one night before moving on to Dover Castle. 

From the castle, they moved to Charing for their next night’s stay.  They reached Canterbury on the 25th of May, from where they moved on to Dover, before proceeding to France on the 31st of May, probably on board the flagship of the fleet, the ‘Henri Grace de Dieu’, or ‘Great Harry’.

Embarkation from Dover

Henry VIII rested in Priory while all the 27 ships were loaded, sailed across to France, unloaded, returned and reloaded. The hulls of the ships were too deep to come right inshore and so, small rowing boats were used to take the people to the ships, and they then had to climb up rope ladders to get on board. Once on board they hung their coats of arms on the side of the ship. This represented the passenger list and was a record of who was on which ship.

A copy of the painting of the “Embarkation from Dover” hangs in the Henry VIII Banqueting Hall at Leeds Castle. Henry VIII commissioned the paintings and in all probability the artist had not even visited Dover. They were pained around 1540, at least 20 years after the event.

The Field of Cloth of Gold

The kings spent huge amounts of money, wanting to outshine the other. Tents for people to stay in were made of gold cloth and there were wresting competitions, fountains which ran with wine, jousting tournaments, and much feasting and dancing. On the last day there was even a firework display.

They took all of their own food to eat during the 17 day meeting. Royal records show that venison from the Leeds park and butter from the dairies were supplied. We also know from Royal Household accounts that their fish menu included; 9100 plaice, 7836 whiting, 5554 soles, 2800 crayfish, 700 conger eels, 3 porpoises and a dolphin.

The original painting of the Field of Cloth of Gold is in Hampton Court palace.

Do you fancy sleeping under canvas just as Henry VIII’s entourage would have done in 1520? Leeds Castle has launched a new glamping site based on Medieval design to form a ‘village’ on the one-acre castle vineyard.

Bookable until September, Knight’s glamping offers guests a spectacular setting and the luxury of a four poster bed, warming log burning stove, crisp cotton bedding and cosy fur throws. Book your tent here!

Knight’s Glamping at Leeds Castle: Get the Glamping look

For those of you who hadn't noticed a new trend of glamorous camping (or glamping) has emerged. More and more people are deciding to brave the British weather and take their holidays in the UK but still want a little glamour and luxury during their stay. With luxury camping accommodation and resorts offering every amenity imaginable you can enjoy the great outdoors and the camping lifestyle without sacrificing luxury.

Leeds Castle has just launched a Medieval themed glamping site within the grounds. Families and couples can now escape to the countryside for a glamorous camping holiday with the luxury of a four poster bed, warming log burning stove, crisp cotton bedding and cosy furry throws.

Camping doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style and there are a number of ways to look your best whilst out in the great outdoors. Here are our tips on how to get the glamping look and pull off the countryside chic style:

Wrap up warm

The nights around the ‘glampsite’ might get chilly so wrap up warm in a big knit cardigan or oversized jumper. Leggings with a bold print like this season’s Aztec trend with some chunky socks will keep legs and toes toasty by a camp fire. Layer up your outfit with a chunky scarf and add stylish accessories such as beaded bracelets and chain necklaces to keep you on trend.

Countryside chic footwear

Nothing screams countryside chic more than some stylish wellington boots, especially if the weather isn’t quite as nice as you’d hoped. You can find fun and floral wellies almost anywhere and they just add that touch of cool to your look. Not a fan of wellies? Go for a pair of boots like Doc Martins, Timberlands or Cowboy boots with some colourful long socks underneath. If you are lucky with the weather and it is just far too hot for wellies then opt for a pair of gladiator sandals. If you want to glam it up for the evenings then a pair of lace up boot heels are both practical and on trend.

Accessorize 

Jazz up a causal block colour dress with some bold accessories such as a chunky watch or bracelet, a statement necklace, a pair of large cat-eyed sunglasses, a large floppy hat or a headband. Complete the boho look with a vintage leather satchel or tassel bag.

Luxury nightwear

Bring a fluffy bathrobe with you for around the tent to enhance that glamorous and luxury experience.

Go long

A maxi dress or long skirt are very bohemian and can look really glamorous. If it is a bit chilly then wear a shirt over the top tied in a cute knot at the bottom. Add a chunky necklace or belt for some added flair.

The Medieval Glamping tents at Leeds Castle are available from the 25th May to the 29th September 2013. The tents sleep a maximum of 2 adults and 2 children. We have a 2 night minimum stay at the weekend; individual nights can be booked Sunday to Thursday. Book here!

The real Gatsby was a woman: Lady Baillie and the glamorous 1920s

In the late 1920’s and 30’s when F Scott Fitzgerald created the immortal character of Jay Gatsby, America was going through times of great wealth and great poverty in equal measure.  Strict moral codes of the Victorian era were a thing of the past. The war was over, corsets were thrown away and wild dances swept the country.  The character of the Great Gatsby epitomised the mood of the times – a mysterious and incredibly wealthy man, he was pictured as the aloof and enigmatic host of wondrous parties thrown every weekend at his mansion in West Egg, Long Island.

Meanwhile in Britain, albeit in a slightly more discreet manner, a similar change in mood was under way - amongst the rich and powerful there was a new thirst for hedonism.  The era of the great House Party had come about and Lady Baillie, a wealthy Anglo American heiress, was a pivotal player, becoming one of the most influential hostesses of her day.

In 1926 Olive Wilson-Filmer (still in her second marriage) had her first glimpse of Leeds Castle, known as the loveliest castle in the world, and for her it was love at first sight.  She set about with characteristic determination and drive to save the gently decaying castle.  With help from the greatest French designers of the day, she redesigned the interiors to the very height of comfort and art deco fashion.  Almost unheard of luxuries were installed in the castle, including under-floor heating, onyx en-suite bathrooms with new-fangled American washing facilities - her guests’ enjoyment and entertainment were paramount.  At weekend parties they were able to partake of the new swimming pool (incredibly for the day, with a wave machine), tennis, squash, croquet, riding, boating, zebras criss-crossing the grounds; and then in the evenings after a sumptuous dinner, they could repair to the velvet lined Grand Salon, where a specially laid ebony dance floor was ready to welcome them.

And no one, no matter how rich, famous or powerful would miss a chance to enjoy the hospitality laid on at Leeds Castle.   Whilst she herself was a reserved and discreet person, Lady Olive Baillie found her greatest pleasure in bringing together fascinating and influential people.  Like a great casting director, she would combine Royalty – George, Duke of Kent, Queen  Marie of Romania; with stars of the silver screen – Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplain, Errol Flynn, David Niven, Noel Coward; and powerful politicians, Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden. 

Pamela Harriman (one of the castle’s more infamous house guests) once described Olive Baillie as restrained in behaviour compared with many of her much more notorious contemporaries”.  “Above all”, she said “she was discreet, which many were not.  She didn’t need to seduce rich men, her special aphrodisiac was power”.   But like Gatsby, Lady Baillie could be enigmatic and shy.  When Margaret Sweeny, the ultimate 1920s “it” girl and later Duchess of Argyll, was first invited to the castle, she was warned by a regular visitor that she might not even see Lady Baillie, who often kept to her rooms rather than joining in the party.  In the event, they had tea together and she continued to visit for over 30 years.

In fact Lady Baillie shied away from any publicity and her discretion, coupled with the natural security of a castle set on an island, ensured that celebrity guests, many of whom were on public show for much of their lives, were able to totally relax without fear of press intrusion.  A rare appearance in the papers occurred when the Profumo scandal broke and Profumo was a weekend house guest: “but all the waiting journalists saw was a weed-clogged moat.”  Indeed, the castle’s great privacy has led to many global conferences taking place within its secure walls over the passing years, including in recent times the Irish Peace Talks.

Lady Baillie died in 1974 after a full and fascinating life and her greatest love, Leeds Castle, she left to the Nation.