Top 5 Castles around Maidstone

This footpath follows the southern shore of Great Water and offers wonderful, free to access views of Leeds Castle. The castle is a grade 1 listed building. It's been here since 857 and has been the favourite residence of several monarchs. The present castle is mostly 19th century. It was left to the public in 1976 and open for visits.

Maybe obvious to others, but because some of the signage was missing/hidden when we visited didn't realise that the public footpath intersects with the castle grounds which is private and which you must pay in order to use. The grounds are very pretty, but the entry ticket seem very expensive to me. You can still get nice views of the castle and grounds from the public footpath as well.

The wild goats are no longer

Sutton Valence Castle is a ruined Norman keep that was built in the 12th century. From 1238, the strongly-defended castle was owned by Simon de Montfort, who led the baronial rebellion against Henry VIII. When de Monfort was killed at the Battle of Evesham in 1265, Henry III gave the castle to his half-brother William de Valence, as a reward for his loyalty. From the castle, you get an incredible panorama over East Sussex and the Weald of Kent. The castle, which is owned by English Heritage, is free to enter during daylight hours.

Leeds Castle was in its long history a Norman stronghold, the private residence of 6 English queens of the Middle Ages (Eleanor of Castile, Margaret of France, Isabella of France, Joan of Navarre, Anna of Bohemia and Katharina de Valois), a palace of Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, in Jacobean times a country estate and a Georgian mansion. In the 20th century the castle was an elegant retreat and today Leeds Castle is one of the most visited attractions in the UK. Leeds Castle has Norman foundations, a medieval gatehouse; The Gloriette was built by Edward I and expanded in the times of Henry III, there is a Tudor tower and a 19th century country house. The first castle was built by the Norman Baron Robert de Crevecoeur in 1119, at the time of Henry I, the son of William the Conqueror, on an island in the River Len. In 1278, one and a half centuries later, it came into the possession of Queen Eleanor, the wife of Edwards I. For the next 300 years, the castle was a royal residence and part of the Wittum of the English queens.

Described as the ‘loveliest castle in the world’, Leeds Castle is a grandiose fortress nestled in picturesque countryside and surrounded by water. It is not just rich in beauty, though. Leeds Castle has a very rich history. It has been a Norman stronghold; the private property of six of England’s medieval queens; a palace used by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon; a Jacobean country house; a Georgian mansion; an elegant early 20th century retreat for the influential and famous; and in the 21st century, it has become one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain. Entry costs £26 for adults, £17.50 for children, and children under four-years-old can visit for free. Once you have bought a ticket, you can visit as many times as you like in the following year. For opening times and more information, visit: https://www.leeds-castle.com.

The ruins of Thurnham Castle are a wonderful place to explore. Whilst the remains of the low stone walls are much overgrown, you can really step back in time here. The site has been used as a fortification and watchtower since Roman times. The Saxons then developed the site into Godard Castle. During the 12th century, the fortress belonged to the de Say family and then the de Thurnhams. A Charter in 1215 mentions the lands within the walls of the castle, which may indicate that it was already in ruins by then.

Leeds Castle was already in the Domesday Book King William the Conqueror, the English Reichsgrundbuch, mention. It has been used gradually over the centuries as a Norman fortress, the residence of six medieval queens, as the palace of Henry VIII and as a sanctuary for the rich and powerful. In the more than 1000 years of its existence, the castle has survived many battles, housed powerful statesmen and inspired numerous artists. Today, it is led by the Leeds Castle Foundation and is the destination of many thousands of people seeking relaxation each year.