eeds castle was
used as a royal palace beginning in the 12th century. It is
surrounded by over 500 acres of park land and gardens with a
beautiful natural lake around the castle itself.
The castle
passed into private hands in the 17th century and, Lady
Baillie, established the Leeds Castle Foundation in the 20th
century. The Foundation still administers the castle and
gardens.
The grounds
are divided by streams and small lakes. The Duckery provides
habitat for 30 species of waterfowl. The woodland garden is
resplendent with
daffodils and anemonies in the spring.
There is also a large English Cottage Garden that is home to
the National Collection of Bergamot (Monarda species
also known as beebalm, horsemint or oswego tea).
The Leeds
Castle vineyard was mentioned in the famous Domesday Book
which was a survey of all property in the year 1086. The
nearby maze has a secret underground grotto which may be
toured.
