Inauthentic renovation (Leeds Castle)

Member Name: loopytiger

Product:	Leeds Castle
Date:	11/05/03 (95 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful grounds, Fun maze, Easy to get to by train

Disadvantages: Inauthentic decor, Golf course

There is certainly lots to see at Leeds Castle, and it would make an excellent place to take a picnic in summer. The grounds are immaculately landscaped, with many beautiful old trees. The yew maze is fantastic: you really do get lost in it. The centre of the maze is raised up, so when you've reached it, you can watch smugly as others wander round and round (warning: this can be very frustrating for the people being watched - my boyfriend spent far too long laughing at me before telling me what direction to take!) There is also a magical grotto underneath the maze, with waterfalls and beautiful artwork made with shells.

However, when I toured the castle interior, I was extremely disappointed - not to say shocked. I've seen a lot of castles around England, and this one was far from the "loveliest". It was renovated during the 1920's-1940's, with - in my opinion - questionable taste. Attempts have been made to use 'medieval' style furniture, but the overall effect lacks any sort of authenticity. Parts of the castle felt almost modern. The owner who carried out these renovations, Lady Baillie, was Anglo-American, and whilst all the literature emphasizes how much she loved and cared about Leeds Castle, I feel it is a great shame that she could not have done more to preserve its historicity. It's also a great shame that a large part of the grounds have been given over to a golf course.

That said, the maze, aviary and grounds are themselves worth the entrance fee; and if you don't have a strong idea of what an English castle ought to look like inside, then you will probably very much enjoy your visit.

Summary: