https://www.leeds-castle.com
Price
So, not going to pretend its a cheap day out but your ticket is an annual pass so if you’re local it works out much cheaper because it includes their themed events (Motors by the Moat, Jousting and Christmas Market).
An annual family ticket for 2 adults and up to 4 children is £76 and under 4's go free.
You can add on a freedom pass which allows you to use the land train through the grounds and the boat across the lake but you can pay for this (about £1.50 each) ad hoc if you prefer.
the first annual pass we had we added it on as Tom was obsessed with trains at the time but this year we haven't bothered and at present I can't say I miss it as its making us walk more!
Parking and Accessibility
The thing we all care about: Parking is free. Parking is no issue at Leeds Castle, plenty of spaces are available but can get very busy on themed events in which case you might want to come early.
The majority of the grounds are buggy/wheelchair friendly however to go into the castle you are required to use the buggy park by the castle gift shop (bloody love a gift shop). There is also a maze which I wouldn't consider buggy friendly as it ends via an underground grotto.
There are toilets in the key areas of the castle, although each only has one baby change station so in peak times you may have to wait.
Things to Do
- Walk around the grounds
- Look around the castle
- Mini Golf (Extra cost) - £1.50 for kids £2 for adults.
- Falconry display
- Falconry bit where the birds live (what is that called??)
- Younger kids play area (0-5)
- Older kids play area (6+)
- Maze/Grotto
- Dog collar museum (its a bit weird)
Food
Most importantly, there is a Costa around halfway. if you are on a day out with kids you will want caffeine, its always busy for this reason.
They have several other places to get coffee dotted around but only one is Costa, I believe the rest are internal brands.
There is also an actual restaurant which is behind Costa, I've never eaten there but the food looks nice. When I looked at the menu a kids meal was £6.50 and average adults meal was £12, this was the Sunday menu and may vary in the week.
Around the kids area you have a cafe which sells very nice chips (£4)! It is a pricey cafe so be prepared. a kids pizza is £7 and a 14" margarita is £13. They do a good selections of ice cream and coffee so again, can be quite busy.
However, Leeds Castle does have lots of places to have picnics including an area that is covered. We rarely buy food there and more often bring our own (and buy coffee!). If you are going as a rare day out then maybe treat yourself and buy food but really I would suggest bringing a picnic and eating before the falconry show (wouldn't suggest during as you don't want to piss off an Eagle with your ham sandwich).
Random Other Shit
OK, I will say it, Leeds Castle is largely populated by the Boden Brigade. There is a fair amount of middle class dickheads (I once saw a woman complain to the manager that her children went on a slide and got wet - it was autumn and had been raining - it was a full on Karen moment). I don't feel this impacts the day in anyway but seemed prominent enough to mention.
A big pro is there are lots of things that are good for photos. Maybe this is a tad vapid but I like Instagram and appreciate places that I can get a good picture for the 'gram. Leeds Castle has my back and clearly has thought this through.
They also consider how to keep things fresh for regular visitors and update things like using QR Codes across the park for kids to follow. As well as brass rubbings (you may laugh but Tom loves that shit) and the castle has really good sheets with things for kids to find/count. They also have themes at Christmas that are family friendly and absolutely stunning.
Speaking of Christmas, Leeds Castle does a great theme day. We've been to quite a few and the only complaint i would have is that the Christmas market was very busy, but lets be fair, most christmas markets are!
Overall
I really love Leeds Castle, it’s a nice day out no matter the weather. it gets us out and walking and once you are there you don't have to spend money if you don't want to (always a bonus). If you are on the fence then I would say its really worth taking a chance on!
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