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Windsor Castle. The largest
and oldest occupied castle in the world , is the home of Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Castle's dramatic site encapsulates
900 years of British history , and its magnificent state rooms
and works of art reflect the tastes of successive kings and
queens.
In 1992 a devastating fire destroyed or damaged more than 100
rooms at the castle . The highly acclaimed restoration work,
completed in 1977 , is a testament to the extraordinary skills
of some of the finest craftsmen in Europe. |
Special tours for pre-booked groups are
available on Tuesdays and Wednesday from October until mid - March
. The tour begins with a talk about the restoration work, before
visiting private areas of the Castle to see the recently revealed
medieval Undercroft and the Great Kitchen . Please contact the Visitor
office.
The Loveliest Castle in the World.
Castle of Queens.
In its long and fascinating history parts of Leeds
castle were built in stone just after the Norman Conquest in 1066
- the castle has seen more than its fair share of drama and intrigue
. The property of the crown until 1552, the Castle was fortified,
enriched and cherished by a succession of kings and , in many cases,
loved by their queens . From Edward I and Eleanor of castle. Henry
V and catherine de Valois , through to Henry VIII and his first
queen Catherine of Aragon -all have spent time within the walls
and grounds of this splendid estate.
Queen of Castles
Moving out of royal ownership in the mid sixteenth
century , the Castle was owned privately until the late twentieth
century with the last owner . olive, Lady Baillie , destined to
have a lasting effect on its future . Having purchased the estate
as home for herself and her family in 1926, she then spent much
of her life restoring the fabric and structure of the Castle to
make it a home and a place of hospitality for leading politicians
, diplomates , international royalty and film stars of the day of
her
A lasting Legacy
Just before her death in 1974, Lady Baillie, created
the Leads Castle Foundation -a private charitable trust established
to maintain the castle in perpetuity and to ensure that Leeds was
preserved not as stone museum but, in Lady Baillie's words as a"
living castle" . Since 1976 just 25 years ago , the gates to the
Castle and its glorious grounds and gardens have been open to welcome
visitors from all over the words.
Leeds Castle Today
Leeds Castle is now open every day of the year
except Christmas Day. Take time to visit the Castle and its garden
stroll around the moat, the aviary the maze and grotto, play a round
of golf on the nine hole course , take a ride in our new hot air
balloon or come to one of our famous special events and like Lady
Baillie and many before her , you too might fall in love with "
the loveliest castle in the world"
Opening Times
Leeds Castle is open all year , except on the
days of our two open air classical concerts (30th June and 7th July
2001) and Christmas Day. Grounds open through out the year at 10
am with last admission March to Oct at 5pm, Nov to Feb 3pm. Grounds
close two hours after last admission.
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Kesington
Palace became a royal residence in 1689 when William III and
Mary II commissioned sir Christopher Wren to transform the
existing house on the site their new London home.
The
building has seen momentous events as the deaths of William
III, Mary II, Queen Anne and George II, the birth and accession
of Queen Victoria and the public outpouring of grief following
the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. |
Today the palace is home to several members of
the Royal Family: the state apartments , first opened by Queen Victoria
in 1899 , and the Royal ceremonial Dress Collection are open to
the public.
The State Apartments
The Peaceful royal retreat enjoys the tranquillity
of Kensington Gardens and is renowned for its elegant grandeur and
lavish interiors . See william Kent's fabulous trompe l'oeil ceiling
and old Masters from the Royal Collection displayed in the beautifully
restored King's Gallery highlights include the regal cupola room
where Queen Victoria was baptised.
The palace's history is brought to life by multi-language
sound guides which lead you around the State Apartments and reveal
aneedotes of the monarchs who have lived in this most intimate of
royal palaces
Opening Times
1 November - 28 February 10.00 last entry 16.00
open daily
1 March - 31 October 10.00 last entry 17.00 open daily.
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Blenheim Palace
was built for john Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough in recognition
of his great victory over the French at the Battle of Blenheim
in 1704. The Palace designed by Sir John Vanbrugh , is one of
the finest examples of English baroque and contains a superb
collection of tapestries , painting sculptures and fine furniture
set in magnificent gilded state rooms The Long Library is of
outstanding beauty. |
The Churchill Exhibition.
An exhibition of Churchilliana , which includes
manuscripts , painting , personal belongings, books ,photographs
and letter. The core of the exhibition is the simple room where
Winston Spencer Churchill was born on the 30th November1874.
Opening Times
The Palace and Gardens are open daily from 10.30a.m.
to 5.30 p.m. (last admission 4.45p.m. ) from mid march to the end
of October . The Park is open daily 9a.m. to 4.45p.m. throughout
the year.
