Leed’s Castle A Castle For Queens

Leed’s Castle is known as “the prettiest castle in all of England”. In mid October I visited this lovely estate located in Kent, England. The tour was arranged by the fabulous Ahoy Vintage Cruises. 

Leed’s Castle A Castle For Queens

Since 857 a castle has existed on the site. During the 13th century the castle was purchased by Queen Eleanor of Castil. It became a favorite residence of her husband, King Edward I.

Isabella of France used it as her primary residence after the death of her husband, King Edward II, in 1327. Anne of Bohemia, wife of Richard the II, also spent time at the castle.

Then in 1519 Henry VIII transformed the castle for the first of his six wives, Catherine of Aragon.

For the next few centuries the castle was owned by various families. The Wykeham Martins became owners of the castle in 1793.

After selling some family property in Virginia they were able to make extensive repairs to such areas as the 1665 Gloriette. In 1823 the castle was remodeled in the Tudor style still seen today.

Ruins of Barbicans and the dam date to the early to mid 13th century.

Lady Olive Baillie

Lady Olive Baillie purchase the castle and estate in 1926. Her mother, Pauline Payne Whitney, was an American heiress. She was a member of the prominent Whitney family who had made their fortune as one of the founders and original directors of the Standard Oil Company.  Lady Baillie redecorated the interior with the help of French architect and designer Armand-Albert Rateau.  He added the 16th-century-style carved-oak staircase as well as some exterior alterations. Most of the interior design you can still see today was done by Paris decorator Stéphane Boudin.

Sir Adrian and Lady Olive Baillie

During World War II the castle was used as a hospital for recovering Commonwealth airmen burn victims. Upon her death in 1974, Lady Baillie left the castle to the Leeds Castle Foundation.

The trust was established to preserve the castle and grounds for the benefit of the public.

In 1975 the gardens were opened to the public. The following year the Leeds Castle was opened to visitors. 

The Library

The Dining Room

Silver Salon

The staircase was carved from a single tree trunk. 

All of the paneling was carved in France. 

Lady Baillie’s Bedroom

Both antique and reproduction paneling was used. 

The dressing room.

Bathroom

The walls are lined with Russian onyx. 

Yellow bedroom

Yellow Drawing Room

The walls are covered in silk. 

Thorpe Hall Drawing Room

The pine paneling and chimneypiece date from 1653.

Lady Olive and her daughters, Pauline and Susan.

The Parkland

The parkland was first laid out in the 18th century by owner Thomas Fairfax, the 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. It was made possible by his two wealthy wives, Martha Collins and later Dorothy Best.

Today you can find the historical 9 par golf course created in 1931 by Sir Guy Campbell. You can also stroll The Culpeper Garden, Princess Alexandra Gardens, and Mediterranean Garden Terraces. In addition there is a maze and grotto as well as a playground and obstacle course in he 500 acre estate.

Lady Baille was a well known bird watcher and enthusiast. Birders might enjoy the wide variety of wildfowl and common woodland birds. They include the infamous Black, Whooper and Trumpeter Swans. There is also a Bird of Prey Centre and Falconry Arena. 

Dog Collar Exhibit

Lady Baillie absolutely adored her canine companions.

Three of her dogs are buried on the banks of the Great Water. 

In the dog collar exhibit there is a collection of canine neckwear that spans 5 centuries.

The dog museum contains over 130 rare and valuable collars.  

What I Wore

Since Lady Baillie made many of the updates to her home in the 1920s this is the era that I settled upon. 

The skirt was made from a 1920s Butterick pattern #1091. It went together fairly easily. I didn’t love how it draped/hung. It might have been the fabric I selected which was a lightweight twill. I am going to try it again in a heavier weight material. 

The blouse was created from a free pattern offered by the amazing Mrs. Depew. I simply just used the bodice pattern pieces and self drafted a waistband.

The print is The Strawberry Thief by William Morris. It is from Liberty Fabrics.

The long sweater came from T.J. Maxx. The wool cloche hat was found on Etsy. I embellished it with ribbon. The t strap shoes are from B.A.I.T.

This Week’s Video

I hope you will enjoy this week’s video. While pictures are nice, it’s another level to see the gorgeous gardens and beautiful interiors of this delightful castle.

See you Sunday!

Laura

You May Also Enjoy

Highclere Castle aka Downton Abbey