Leeds Castle and Culpeper Gardens

The castle, which was once a royal palace, stands in a lake in a park. It is very beautiful but nothing remains of the medieval or Tudor gardens which the castle surely had. The tower, described as a 'Gloriette', was designed as a place from which to view the park. There is also a garden, named after the herbalist Nicholas Culpeper, which was started by Russell Page in 1980 and is now mature. In 1987 a maze with a grotto was added. The designers were Randall Coate and Adrian Fisher. The Woodland Garden has meandering streams. The Lady Baillie Garden overlooks the lake and has a red brick Arts and Crafts style.

Edward 1 built the Gloriette (a medieval term for a summerhouse) for Queen Eleanor. It stood on two small islands. Henry VII transformed the castle into a royal palace for his first wife, Katherine of Aragon. Elizabeth I was imprisioned here, briefly, before she became queen. The castle landscape has both historical and scenic romance.

See blog post on Leeds castle garden.

Head Gardener's Comment

The Grounds and Wood Garden

A 3,000-acre estate originally surrounded the castle. The parkland is now much smaller, but still contains farms, woodland, a golf course and several gardens.
In Spring, the Wood Garden alongside the River Len is a particularly lovely way to approach the castle. Its carpet of Daffodils, Narcissi and Anemones presents a vibrant burst of colour. Later in the year, the visitor is treated to the splendor of Azaleas and Rhododendrons.