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Home> Walks> Around Leeds Castle

Around Leeds Castle

Recommended by
Our view
"A leisurely walk taking in handsome parkland and the setting for a thousand years of history."
Walk directions

A footpath runs into the Leeds Castle Estate from Broomfield Road, following the banks of the River Len. Enter the park at this point and follow the path through the woods for about 400yds (366m), before crossing the river via a footbridge. This section can get very boggy in wet weather. Bear right through the edge of the woods and go through a kissing gate into the fields beyond, continuing along the lakeshore path, with the Great Water on your right-hand side.

At the far end of the lake take the path to the left of the landtrain station, heading away from the castle entrance, and head uphill following the yellow waymarkers. Note: do not follow the tarmac vehicular access drive – this is not a public right of way.
View all directions
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Waymarked footpaths, well maintained but slippery after rain; village streets and country lanes, mostly without footways
  Landscape  - Handsome parkland
  Dog friendliness  - Dogs are not permitted within the Leeds Estate (guide dogs excepted)
  Parking  - On Broomfield Road, at a wide section by the River Len (Leeds Castle car park is for paying visitors only)
  Toilets en route  - None on route except at Leeds Castle (for visitors only); nearest North Street, Sutton Valence
About the walk
Majestically moated and surrounded by beautiful grounds, Leeds Castle is a truly ethereal sight. On this walk you can see the exterior free of charge, but a glance may whet your appetite to pay up and look inside. The manorial site dates back to Saxon times, but the castle itself is a Norman...
Read more
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Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

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Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

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About the area
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Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Guest Accommodation
Stable Courtyard at Leeds Castle
★★★★
award
"Enjoy luxury rooms with a range of extras in the grounds of Leeds Castle...."
  • Rooms 17
  • Free TV
  • DVD Player
  • Direct Dial
Guest Accommodation
Maiden's Tower at Leeds Castle
★★★★★
award
"Unique, with fine views - luxury rooms successfully blend old and new..."
  • Rooms 5
  • Free TV
  • DVD Player
  • Direct Dial
Self-Catering
Battel Hall
★★★★★
award
"Stay in a medieval manor house, in private hands since the 14th century...."
  • Total units: 2
  • Private garden
  • Lawn area
  • Garden furniture
Nearby places to stay
Stable Courtyard at Leeds Castle
Stable Courtyard is located right in the heart of the grounds at Leeds Castle. The stylishly appointed bedrooms are spacious, and many benefit from excellent views of the formal gardens...
★★★★    Rating
Maiden's Tower at Leeds Castle
The Maiden's Tower was built as an annexe to the castle and used for house parties when the castle was still a private residence. Today, it offers five en suite, beautifully appointed b...
★★★★★    Rating
Battel Hall
Battel Hall is a truly unique property set in a secluded location on the edge of the Leeds Castle estate. A medieval manor house, in private hands since the 14th century, Battel Hall op...
★★★★★    Rating
Birch Cottage
Birch Cottage is a beautiful holiday cottage nestled at the foot of the North Downs on the outskirts of Maidstone, Kent in a small village called Harrietsham. We are known for our outst...
★★★★    Rating
Stable Oak Cottages
These beautiful holiday homes are nestled at the foot of the North Downs on the outskirts of Maidstone in a small village of Harrietsham. Here, guests can enjoy the outstanding views, a...
★★★★    Rating
Willow Cottage
Willow Cottage is perfect for a well deserved escape from the bustle of life. Experience nature in luxury on your private patio and enjoy the uninterrupted views and country living. The...
★★★★    Rating
Who'd A Thought It
The unusually named Who'd A Thought It is located in the quiet village of Grafty Green, convenient for both Maidstone and Ashford. Bedrooms and bathrooms are spacious and individually d...
★★★★★    Rating
Chilston Park Hotel
Chilston Park is an elegant Grade I listed country house set in 23 acres of immaculately landscaped gardens and parkland. An impressive collection of original paintings and antiques cre...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Ringlestone
   AA Rosette Award
Fish on the Green
   AA Rosette Award
Who'd A Thought It
   AA Rosette Award
Chilston Park Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Ringlestone
   AA Rosette Award
Fish on the Green
   AA Rosette Award
Who'd A Thought It
   AA Rosette Award
Chilston Park Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
The Black Horse Inn
The Plough Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Plough Inn
Lakes Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
1hr 45min
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Easy

Gradient:
Moderate


Distance:
3.25 miles (5.3kms)

Ascent:
262ft (80m)

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Around Leeds Castle

Recommended by
Our view
"A leisurely walk taking in handsome parkland and the setting for a thousand years of history."
Walk details
1hr 45min
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Easy
Gradient:
Moderate
Distance:
3.25 miles (5.3kms)
Ascent:
262ft (80m)
Walk directions

A footpath runs into the Leeds Castle Estate from Broomfield Road, following the banks of the River Len. Enter the park at this point and follow the path through the woods for about 400yds (366m), before crossing the river via a footbridge. This section can get very boggy in wet weather. Bear right through the edge of the woods and go through a kissing gate into the fields beyond, continuing along the lakeshore path, with the Great Water on your right-hand side.
1 of 8

At the far end of the lake take the path to the left of the landtrain station, heading away from the castle entrance, and head uphill following the yellow waymarkers. Note: do not follow the tarmac vehicular access drive – this is not a public right of way.
2 of 8

Follow the hill contours through sheep pasture, past a stand of trees and mini-lakes below to your right. At a converging path from the right, turn left and make for the edge of the estate, emerging onto Burberry Lane.
3 of 8

Cross the lane and take the signed footpath opposite, crossing a field towards St Nicholas Church. Walk along the left-hand side of the churchyard.
4 of 8

Go out onto the main street and turn left by the school, walking downhill past some of the older village houses for about 400yds (366m) until you reach the historic George Inn on your left. Turn left again just beyond it into George Lane.
5 of 8

Go along to the end of George Lane (a pretty, tunnel-like walk), turning left again down Burberry Lane past a medieval house, Battel Hall, to the footpath you walked along earlier. Turn right and retrace your steps through the estate, following the yellow waymarkers. There are superb views from this section of the walk.
6 of 8

When you reach the Great Water, turn left towards the castle island, then right before you reach the entrance bridge, taking the path between the north shore of the lake and the moat. Bear left, following the path past the castle’s curtain walls to your left. Immediately to your right lies the courtyard (restaurant, museum and WCs). Continue on the tarmac path over the golf course (take care if golfers are playing), climbing gently through patches of woodland until you reach the edge of the estate at Broomfield Gate. The footpath leads to the left of the lodge gates; follow the waymarkers along a path signed ‘3rd Tee’. Timber steps take you out onto Broomfield Road.
7 of 8

Turn right and walk back to your starting point, just beyond a sharp double bend where the road drops steeply downhill. Be careful – there’s no footway and it can be quite busy.
8 of 8
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Waymarked footpaths, well maintained but slippery after rain; village streets and country lanes, mostly without footways
  Landscape - Handsome parkland
  Dog friendliness - Dogs are not permitted within the Leeds Estate (guide dogs excepted)
  Parking - On Broomfield Road, at a wide section by the River Len (Leeds Castle car park is for paying visitors only)
  Toilets en route - None on route except at Leeds Castle (for visitors only); nearest North Street, Sutton Valence
About the walk
Majestically moated and surrounded by beautiful grounds, Leeds Castle is a truly ethereal sight. On this walk you can see the exterior free of charge, but a glance may whet your appetite to pay up and look inside. The manorial site dates back to Saxon times, but the castle itself is a Norman...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
not available. .
Explore

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Guest Accommodation
Stable Courtyard at Leeds Castle
★★★★
award
"Enjoy luxury rooms with a range of extras in the grounds of Leeds Castle...."
  • Rooms 17
  • Free TV
  • DVD Player
  • Direct Dial
Guest Accommodation
Maiden's Tower at Leeds Castle
★★★★★
award
"Unique, with fine views - luxury rooms successfully blend old and new..."
  • Rooms 5
  • Free TV
  • DVD Player
  • Direct Dial
Self-Catering
Battel Hall
★★★★★
award
"Stay in a medieval manor house, in private hands since the 14th century...."
  • Total units: 2
  • Private garden
  • Lawn area
  • Garden furniture
Nearby places to stay
Stable Courtyard at Leeds Castle
Stable Courtyard is located right in the heart of the grounds at Leeds Castle. The stylishly appointed bedrooms are spacious, and many benefit from excellent views of the formal gardens...
★★★★    Rating
Maiden's Tower at Leeds Castle
The Maiden's Tower was built as an annexe to the castle and used for house parties when the castle was still a private residence. Today, it offers five en suite, beautifully appointed b...
★★★★★    Rating
Battel Hall
Battel Hall is a truly unique property set in a secluded location on the edge of the Leeds Castle estate. A medieval manor house, in private hands since the 14th century, Battel Hall op...
★★★★★    Rating
Willow Cottage
Willow Cottage is perfect for a well deserved escape from the bustle of life. Experience nature in luxury on your private patio and enjoy the uninterrupted views and country living. The...
★★★★    Rating
Birch Cottage
Birch Cottage is a beautiful holiday cottage nestled at the foot of the North Downs on the outskirts of Maidstone, Kent in a small village called Harrietsham. We are known for our outst...
★★★★    Rating
Stable Oak Cottages
These beautiful holiday homes are nestled at the foot of the North Downs on the outskirts of Maidstone in a small village of Harrietsham. Here, guests can enjoy the outstanding views, a...
★★★★    Rating
Who'd A Thought It
The unusually named Who'd A Thought It is located in the quiet village of Grafty Green, convenient for both Maidstone and Ashford. Bedrooms and bathrooms are spacious and individually d...
★★★★★    Rating
Chilston Park Hotel
Chilston Park is an elegant Grade I listed country house set in 23 acres of immaculately landscaped gardens and parkland. An impressive collection of original paintings and antiques cre...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Ringlestone
   AA Rosette Award
Fish on the Green
   AA Rosette Award
Who'd A Thought It
   AA Rosette Award
Chilston Park Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Ringlestone
   AA Rosette Award
Fish on the Green
   AA Rosette Award
Who'd A Thought It
   AA Rosette Award
Chilston Park Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
The Black Horse Inn
The Plough Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Plough Inn
Lakes Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby