insideKENT Magazine Issue 28 - July 2014 | Page 99
COVERSTORY
Medieval Knight’s Glamping
FUN FOR THE
GROWN UPS
Open Air Classical Concert // 12 July
Medieval Knight’s Glamping is for people who
love the idea of the great outdoors, but with all
the luxury of home. Opened in spring 2013,
Leeds Castle is offering families and couples the
chance to escape to the countryside for a
glamorous camping holiday with a difference.
From March to the end of September, eight
traditionally coloured striped tents based on
Medieval design form a stunning village on the
one-acre Castle vineyard in a bid to offer guests
privileged views and a spectacular setting in the
grounds of the majestic Castle. Priced from £135
per night for two people, guests will enjoy the
luxury of a four-poster bed, warming log burning
stove, crisp cotton bedding and cosy fur throws.
Weekend stays start from £280 for two nights
for two people.
By day, explore the magnificent Castle
staterooms and at night, sleep under canvas, as
Henry VIII’s entourage would have done in 1520.
For those wishing to experience lazy summer
evenings outdoors and eat as Medieval knight’s
would have,
use of the
cast iron
griddle over
an open fire
pit is included
in your stay.
Alternatively,
the Castle's
Great British
Kitchen will be serving appetising evening meals
and affording diners spectacular night time views,
while breakfast hampers can be delivered to your
tent each morning. Guests may also choose to
take advantage of the delicious cooked breakfast
served in the Fairfax Restaurant (additional charge
applies).
For something extra to look forward to, you
can pre-book an additional experience for the
whole family. Choose from a thrilling Go Ape!
high-wire forest adventure, a challenging game
on the 9-hole golf course, a Leeds Castle hot air
balloon flight, a Segway adventure or a handson falconry experience.
Leeds Castle is once again host to the original
and biggest open air classical concert in the
country. This Best of British event is a firm favourite
with concertgoers and will feature the world
famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted
by John Rigby. Special guests on this fantastic
night of picnics and patriotic flag waving will also
include the Military Wives Choir, returning due to
popular demand, P&O Ferries Choir, aerial
displays, military bands, field guns and a stunning
fireworks display.
Festival of
Flowers:
Autumn Glory
//23-28
September
Fancy yourself as a
bit of a florist?
Between 23rd and
28th September
this year, Leeds
Castle is hosting a
Festival of Flowers
on the theme,
Autumn Glory.
Celebrating floral creations from the glory of the
Kent garden, Leeds Castle's head florist, Louise
Roots, and multi-award-winning floral designer,
Mig Kimpton, will lead a team of over 25 designers
to transform the Castle's rooms through floral
works of art. Divided into three classes, Autumn
Door, Autumn Celebration and Autumn Basket.
Louise and the team are offering you the chance
to have your floristry design featured. To be in
with a chance of winning, download an application
form at www.leeds-castle.com/events.
The Great British Kitchen
Open Air Theatre: Shakespeare's The Tempest
// 17-18 July
The critically acclaimed Pantaloons put their own
unique and hilarious twist on Shakespeare’s
romantic tale of shipwrecks, sorcerers and silly
servants. Expect music, magic and mayhem in
one of the Bard's best-loved plays, out in the
open air where it belongs.
Open Air Cinema // 25-26 July
Bring a picnic and enjoy Breakfast at Tiffany's
under the stars in front of the magnificent 900year-old Castle on 25th July, or Dirty Dancing on
26th. Brought to you by Luna Cinema, this year's
events are also supported by Benefit Cosmetics,
who will be offering complimentary makeovers
on the evening. Tickets cost £15 per adult and
£12 per child. Not included in the price of
admission.
Medieval Banquet in the Fairfax Hall
// 29 August
Come dressed as lords and ladies from the Middle
Ages for a hearty feast fit for a King in the oakbeamed Fairfax Hall at Leeds Castle. The Medieval
Banquet will be served on trenchers in four
courses. Sample the delights of dishes dating
back to the 14th century, all cooked with the
freshest ingredients by the Castle's team of
dedicated chefs. What's more, after dinner dance
the night away with a traditional Ceilidh band.
Evening price, £59 per person. Accommodation,
£140 per room.
The Great British Kitchen at Leeds Castle's Fairfax
Restaurant boasts an evening bistro in a
converted barn, with stunning views of the Castle.
Whether you are looking for a light meal or a
hearty three-course dinner, this fantastic eatery
offers a great onsite alternative to local pubs and
restaurants.
The restaurant's new regularly changing
seasonal menu uses the highest quality local
meat, including English Longhorn beef, bred in
the surrounding Kent countryside. In addition,
the dedicated culinary team bakes their own
bread, uses Kent’s Best Invicta Ale from
Faversham in their pies and even cut their own
herbs fresh from the Castle’s Culpeper Garden.
The Great British Kitchen is open for bookings
from 6.30pm. To make a booking, email
[email protected] or call 01622 767777.
For more information on Leeds Castle and its
upcoming events and goings on, visit
www.leeds-castle.com.
Annual Leeds Castle tickets cost £24 for adults; £21 for seniors and visitors with
disabilities (carer goes free); and £16 for children (under 4s go free). Annual tickets are
valid for 12 months so you can pay once and visit all year round. Day tickets are also
available to purchase on the day of your visit or in advance online. Adults cost £19,
concessions £16 and children £11.
Leeds Castle is located near Maidstone in Kent just off Junction 8 of the M20
within easy reach of London. Grounds open at 10am daily and the Castle is open from
10.30am. Last admission is 4.30pm and gates close at 6pm.
For more information, visit www.leeds-castle.com.
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