Kerry's Blog

The more I see of old buildings the more I am reminded that the modern renovation craze is not new, only different due to its accessibility to more people. On my last full day in London we visited Leeds Castle in Kent, one of the ones built after the Norman Conquest of Britain to shore up Norman defences and maintain a presence among the locals. It sits on islands in a lake enhancing its defensive capacity and it’s artistic appeal. In it’s 1000 years of history it has hosted assorted nobles, several hundred years of royalty, an heiress known as Lady Baillie and now belongs to a charitable trust courtesy of said heiress.

Beautiful landscape

Think its a goose

Lake and more birds. Black swans from Australia were introduced by the last independent owner. One was nesting in another part of the lake.

One of the first views of the castle

Main part of castle and the part we visited

A number of buildings comprised the castle complex and this was one. It was not open to the public but when leaving we saw a couple arrive with luggage and enter so perhaps it is available for accommodation.

Rather benign looking lion on an iron studded door

Enormous room with an ornate ceiling and numerous portraits of previous inhabitants

The chapel, a late 20th century addition although one had always been present previously until closed by Henry V111 in 1544. The wooden panels and the tapestry date from C1500.

The chapel, a late 20th century addition although one had always been present previously until closed by Henry V111 in 1544. The wooden wall panels and the tapestry date from C1500.

Stained glass made about 1220 and originally from Canterbury Cathedral

Lovely little courtyard reminiscent of ones seen on southern Spain. The Spanish princess, Catherine of Aragon , initially the wife of Henry V11 and then his brother Henry V111 lived in the castle.

Lovely little courtyard reminiscent of ones seen on southern Spain. The Spanish princess, Catherine of Aragon, initially the wife and Queen of Henry V11 and then his brother Henry V111 lived in the castle.

This is part of a room styled to represent a royal apartment from 1422. I liked the shutters and window seats and could imagine someone sitting and gazing out onto a world she was not free to visit independently.

This is part of a room styled to represent a royal apartment from 1422. I liked the shutters and window seats and could imagine a woman sitting and gazing out onto a world she was not free to visit independently.

The bay window was installed during renovations in 1512 and the room is the largest in the castle

Not sure what this is apart from it looking to have Tudor architecture and found in one of the courtyards. Seems to have small openings just under the roof line similar to those in a dovecot.