Lady Baillie of Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle is a really interesting castle to visit as it was lived in up until 1974 by the wealthy Lady Baillie. She spent many years restoring it with the help of famous architects and designers, and beautifying the grounds adding a duckery and aviary due to her love of birds. The castle was built and fortified in 1119 by a descendent of one of William the Conqueror's Lords. Leeds Castle passed into royal hands in 1278 and became part of the Queen of England’s dower - the settlement widowed queens received upon the death of their husbands. Over the course of 150 years it was held by six medieval queens!