Four bespoke, upmarket lodges have opened up at Leeds Castle, offering impeccable design and modern amenities amid this Grade I-listed Kent estate
Location
The bougie, standalone lodges are perched right on the lakeside within the grounds of Leeds Castle, a short stroll from a main reception area and restaurant, and not far from the castle itself. The estate, comprised of 500 acres of seasonal parkland, sits in the heart of Kent – about seven miles east of Maidstone, an hour’s drive from London and 30 minutes from the Channel Tunnel and Channel Ports.
While driving is likely the most direct option, it’s also accessible by train and bus. Southeastern runs frequent services from Ashford and London Victoria to Bearsted and Hollingbourne, from where Leeds Castle is a five-minute cab ride or 30-40 minute walk. Stagecoach’s 10X bus also stops there and runs as far as Maidstone East train station.
The vibe
While there has been a castle on the site since the year 857, the modern iteration that’s open to the public today dates from the 1930s. That’s when Lady Baillie, an Anglo-American heiress, bought the property and gave it an impressive glow-up, transforming it into one of the most desirable country houses in England. This Art Deco vibe dominates not only in the castle itself but in the design choices throughout. Sage green brushes up against gold and pops of cherry red in the reception area, and textured fabrics are complemented by fern and peacock feather patterns and Manhattan-style mirrors. It all feels sumptuous and decadent – as if a tray of Champagne coupes could be waiting around every corner.
Service
Staff were friendly and helpful at check in, handing over estate maps and complimentary passes for the castle, included with an overnight stay. They also helped with luggage, showed us right to the door of the lodge and demonstrated, for example, how to operate the remote-controlled skylight shutters. Service at the restaurant was a little more hit and miss – we waited a while for our drink order to arrive – but overall was competent enough.
Bed and bath
The lodges are compact but the ideal size for two, and combine carefully curated design touches with a lakeside location that remains, architecturally, the star of the show. The…
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