The fort has been dwelling to many highly effective queens through the years, in addition to a rustic retreat for top society, and I spent the evening on its ‘haunted’ grounds
I loved a royal weekend at Leeds Citadel (Picture: Matthew King)
There’s one thing that feels a bit unlawful about wandering across the grounds of a fort at evening when all of the guests have gone dwelling. The ambiance is slightly eerie, however you actually get a way of what it will need to have been prefer to dwell inside the partitions of those huge estates in years passed by.
At the very least, that’s how I felt once I spent the evening in Leeds Citadel in Kent, usually often called the Citadel of Queens because of the many feminine monarchs who known as it their dwelling. Its moderately complicated identify comes from Saxon ruler Led or Leed, who laid the foundations for what would turn out to be Leeds Citadel, constructing a wood construction on two islands in the course of the River Len.
Our Steady Courtyard room included a stupendous four-poster mattress (Picture: Natalie King)
This humble wood abode was quickly changed by a stone fortress, and through the years it grew into the spectacular fort that then grew to become the house of Henry VIII’s first spouse, Catherine of Aragon. However with that wealthy historical past comes tales of hauntings, the preferred native legend being ghostly sightings of two black canines, mentioned to be related to a former resident alleged to have practiced witchcraft.There are additionally tales of a spirit in an extended flowing gown wandering across the rooms.
However I’m joyful to report, no such spirits interrupted my sleep, and I managed to get a stable eight hours of snooze in a comfortable four-poster mattress. Our room was a part of the Steady Courtyard, and along with a stunning mattress with a cover, it had a soaking tub, views of the lake, and a minibar stashed with native treats. Positively value risking a haunting for.
Leeds Citadel additionally affords rooms in its Maiden’s Tower, as soon as the house of Catherine of Aragon’s ladies-in-waiting, in addition to cottages and riverside lodges which sit on the water’s edge. Through the day, guests can entry the fort and grounds, and also you’ll spot plenty of households braving the climate and having fun with walks by way of the fantastically landscaped gardens, however as soon as the gates shut, the ambiance continues to be and quiet.
Within the night, we had dinner on the Citadel View restaurant. Set simply throughout the river from the fort, it has an enormous ground to ceiling window that means that you can see it lit up at evening. There’s an outdoor terrace which I think about is spectacular in the summertime months as you’d get to observe the solar go down at meal time.
The restaurant’s menu has easy, cosy classics with a concentrate on seasonal elements and native produce. We have been tempted by dishes from fish and chips and do-it-yourself pies, with my husband finally selecting a ribeye steak – which was ‘completely’ medium uncommon in line with him – and myself choosing the particular of cod with chorizo and a butterbean stew. The fish was simply the correct quantity of flaky and lightweight, working effectively with the hearty beans.
We additionally loved a bottle of Pinot Noir from Wildshark Winery, which is simply a few minutes from the fort. My experiences of English wine haven’t at all times been nice, and I’m nonetheless bitter a couple of very dear bottle that tasted like fizzy vinegar, however this bottle of crimson wine could have modified my thoughts. It was easy, fruity, and most significantly, I didn’t get my ordinary crimson wine headache after ingesting half a bottle.
Our room had a stupendous lake view (Picture: Natalie King)
Woman Baillie’s rooms are filled with classic treasures (Picture: Natalie King)
After a comfy, ghost-free evening, we loved breakfast within the restaurant, which features a first rate continental buffet plus cooked choices together with a full English and eggs royale. When you try, you’re nonetheless free to benefit from the fort for the day, so we loaded up the automobile and obtained our massive coats on to go for an discover.
Whereas the fort is centuries previous, its final personal proprietor was Woman Olive Baillie who’s credited with restoring a lot of the historic constructing within the Twenties. She additionally turned it into one thing of a celebration spot, with the elite of transatlantic society, politics, and tradition amongst its well-known company. From Winston Churchill to Charlie Chaplin, many well-known faces have stayed right here. Lovers of classic vogue and elegance will take pleasure in wandering round Woman Baillie’s rooms the place gadgets from her beaded robes to fashionable Twenties footwear and file participant are on show. Should you’re a fan of Downton Abbey, you’ll positively choose up on these vibes.
Again within the grounds we tackled, and obtained misplaced in, the hedge maze. In my defence, it was drizzling with rain, and I in all probability would have had extra endurance on a sunny day. Admitting defeat, we as a substitute went to see the birds of prey centre, which included lovely owls and eagles, and noticed some enjoyable family-friendly stuff to do akin to journey playgrounds. There’s even a pretend seaside the place children can construct sandcastles. Once more, positively one for the summer season to-do record. And with a 9-hole golf course overlooking the fort, it’s stunning how a lot there’s to just do steps out of your room.
The grounds have wonderful riverside walks and are filled with issues to see (Picture: Matthew King)
A keep at Leeds Citadel is an unforgettable expertise. It’s not usually you get to get up on the grounds of a fort, and staying in a single day makes you’re feeling a part of its historical past. The employees on the fort are wonderful, from the pleasant welcome at check-in to the environment friendly, cheerful restaurant service and affected person guides who talked us by way of its historical past, its clear that the fort is in good palms in its newest incarnation.
Rooms on the Steady Courtyard begin from £134 per evening. Discover out extra and e-book at leeds-castle.com.
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