PA Life explored corporate event options at Leeds Castle

A group of PA Life Club members spent a truly wonderful afternoon as guests of Leeds Castle in Kent exploring the varied spaces and styles in which to host memorable corporate events in this historic setting…

The 900 year old Leeds Castle is steeped in glamorous history filled with strong and visionary women. It is often referred to as Her Castle and no less than nine Queens have occupied it. The last private owner was of Lady Baillie who bought it in 1925 and turned it into a lavish country estate in which to entertain her guests in style. She lived there with her family until her death in 1974 and left the castle and grounds to a specially created charity called the Leeds Castle Foundation, whose main aim was, and still is, to preserve the castle for future generations to enjoy.

PA Life Club’s day of exploring corporate event options at Leeds Castle

We started our FAM Trip at the Maiden’s Tower on the Castle Island, in the middle of the moat. The business development team with Jenny George and Andrew Webber welcomed us with freshly baked scones and tea, and a welcome talk with a run-through of what we were going to see and learn about their corporate offerings during our visit.

Travel to Leeds Castle from London was an easy 75 minute train journey from Victoria station to Hollingbourne where we were met by the Castle’s minibus for the 10 minute transfer. Some of the members arrived by car and found plenty of free parking in the castle car park.

Event spaces and accommodation options at Leeds Castle

Staying in the Castle

The Castle holds the most magnificent dining and meeting spaces. You can take over the whole castle and enjoy it all in complete privacy.  The Grand Salon is an art deco inspired space made to impress. We couldn’t see it on our visit as it was undergoing repair work. Our tour started at the Library – often used for drinks receptions – and moved into the stunning Dining Room next which can be set for ceremonies and reception seating up to 100.

There are also 19 bedrooms in the main castle, available as part of an exclusive hire package. The Castle State Rooms, the largest bedrooms, are nothing short of majestic, and the smaller second floor Classic Rooms are stunning too, all individually styled and named after the roles key servants held such as The Butler’s Room for instance. A stay in the castle is a unique opportunity for guests to immerse in the rich history in these opulent rooms and feel like royalty for a night.

There is also plenty of other accommodation available on the estate. You can book guest rooms in the Maiden’s Tower, The Cottages, Stable Courtyard, Battel Hall also four Lakeside Lodges. Whatever your accommodation needs are the event team are keen to make sure they can cater for these with conveniently located options.

Maiden’s Tower at Leeds Castle

The 16th century Maiden’s Tower, next to the has bedrooms with breathtaking views across the historic castle grounds and the moat. Its a unique experience to stay at the tower, with the solid wooden shutters in the windows adding to the fort-like atmosphere. The spacious rooms have been updated with contemporary en-suite bathrooms.

Maiden’s Tower has a rich history and was allegedly used by Katherine of Aragon’s Maid of Honour during her wedding to King Henry VIII.

The wonderful Long Gallery, Tudor Hall and the tower’s own secluded garden offer great alternative meetings and celebration spaces within the Maiden’s Tower.

Battel Hall – a manor house venue in the castle grounds

You can also hire the luxurious manor house, Battel Hall for exclusive use with five bedrooms. This picturesque house is perfect for all year round stays with a private garden and fireplaces to create a lovely warm atmosphere in winter. We didn’t have time to visit Battel Hall this time.

All stays within the castle accommodation include complimentary daytime entry to the Castle (subject to availability) and out-of-hours access to the grounds.

Marquee Lawns

If you rather host an occasion on the castle lawns then you can choose from two options. The Cedar Lawn can host up to 500 people and the Pavilion Lawn up to 200.

Fairfax Barn

Located in the stable yard, the historic barn is a great space for dinners and celebrations when you want a more relaxed and rustic setting. It can seat up to 180 guests. The Castle View Restaurant, part of the barn, has a large terrace overlooking the castle and offers a good option for BBQs or summer drinks receptions. The restaurant also serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

A taste of local produce on offer at Leeds Castle

We ended our fantastic afternoon back in the cool interiors of Maiden’s Tower where chilled English sparkling wine by local Kent producer Wildshark awaited with delicious selection of canapes, expertly created by the in-house catering team.

Activities to enjoy on the grounds of Leeds Castle

The 500-acre estate lends itself perfectly for outdoor activities. You can choose to take your guests around the 9-hole golf course or Segway tours. The are also an impressive collection of birds of prey in the aviary with daily falconry displays during the summer months, and you can include that, or meet the owls session into your itinerary.

The maze and grotto is also a great challenge to include – we were lucky got get a little help from one of the staff members as it could have taken us a while to find our way out.

Other activities include adventure golf, Go Ape, boat tour around the castle and Elsie the Train rides around the grounds.

Find out more and enquire about corporate events at Leeds Castle.

PA Life Club is free for EAs, PAs, VAs, Office Managers and other business support professionals to join. As a member you get priority places at our events, enjoy partner offers, peer-to-peer mentoring, discounted online course and competition.