Leeds Castle, 17 November 2014

Today we visited Leeds Castle in Kent.  It was built in the 12th Century and then Edward I expanded it over three islands, creating a moat all the way around it in the 13th Century.  King Henry VIII refurbished the Castle for his first wife, Catherine of Aragon and it became her main residence.  The Castle has been changed through the centuries and one time a fire gutted the keep, which was the main residence.  The Hon. Olive, Lady Baillie purchased the castle in 1926 and it became her home until 1976.  During her residency she re-docrated in fashion of the time.  The rooms are painted in light pastels of blue, yellow, and green, making them appear light and spacious.  This view is from the Maiden's Tower towards the castle in the back.

We began our tour at #1 on the map, walking along one of the paths through the 5,000 acres of grounds, gardens, and woods.  We walked along autumn colored trees, shrubs, and bushes and ponds and streams adorned with water fowl.

Some posed for pictures and the colors were rich in hue and depth.

The tree is a Cedar of Lebanon.

Another view of the Cedar of Lebanon

The Barbican, a fortified outpost or gateway led to the entrance.  Myself and Sister Hale.

The bridge to the castle.  The Barbican is to the left before you cross the bridge.  The suit of armor was on display in the  entrance at the gatehouse.

Walking to the gatehouse.  After going through the gatehouse, we turned right and walked down the side of the island, on the backside of the Maiden Tower, to the cellar of the castle itself.  One of the halls inside, the organ in the chapel, and the outer door we exited through.

The chapel, the circular stairway in the main residence.  One of the interior doors.

LEEDS CASTLE

The maze is made up of 2,400 yew trees and was opened in 1988.  It is built in a square with a circle in the middle.  In the middle you come to a rock formation that when you get on top of it, you can see out over the maze as depicted in the photos above.  Dad & I, Sister Hale, and the Callaghan's went in together and got lost trying to find the center.  We kept back tracking and then I took off ahead of everyone and found it.  Standing on top, I could see where to direct them.  Dad had taken off on his own and eventually was separated from the others.  By this time another couple had entered the maze and they, like Dad, were lost.  Brother Callaghan could see where to send them and they eventually got to the top.  It was quite the adventure.  At the base of the rock we entered the grotto that led to steps going out, which is the bottom picture.

Before we left, we got a picture of us with Adellae's traveling lizard in front of the castle.