Weekend escapes: Kent — East London Mornings

Explore Kentish heritage with the Leeds Castle Package by Mercure Great Danes Hotel

In partnership with Mercure

Last weekend I was invited to escape London and experience ‘Leeds Castle Package’ by Mercure Great Danes Hotel. In these turbulent times and with no possibility to travel abroad there was no better time to explore England. I always wanted to visit Leeds Castle, but never could find time. It’s only one hour train ride from St Pancras and you are in the pretty village of Hollingbourne. First things first, checking-in to Mercure Great Danes Hotel. The hotel is 15 minutes walk from the station or you can ring the hotel and they will organise a pick up for you. Mercure Great Danes is built on the former Leeds Castle grounds and the heritage site is only 10 minutes walk from the hotel. You can jump straight into exploring (you get the castle entry ticket when you check-in) or like me, choose to unwind in the pool area, have a hot stone massage followed by cocktails and dinner in the restaurant.

Sounds chic and luxury, right? But the package is only £145 and includes overnight accommodation for two, dinner, breakfast, full access to Feel Good Health Club and two adult tickets to Leeds Castle.

A little fun fact about the hotel: Beatles stayed here for one night when touring Yellow Submarine and left a gratitude note to the former general manager of the hotel. It is still in his possession and he is very proud to share a story how the band had to abandon their car a few miles away and ask the hotel’s laundry delivery van to sneak them in unnoticed from the back door.

Next morning after a wake-up swim in the pool and the hearty full English I was ready to explore the castle.

From 857 the site was owned by a Saxon chief called Leed who built a wooden structure on two islands in the middle of the River Len. In 1119 Robert de Crevecoeur rebuilt it in stone as a Norman stronghold. Later Henry VIII transformed the castle in 1519 for his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. A painting commemorating his meeting with Francis I of France still hangs here.

The last private owner of the castle was Lady Baillie. She bought the castle in 1926, redecorated the interior and made it an elegant retreat for the influential and famous guests of the time. In the 21st century, it has become one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain. The grounds are huge and after wondering around don’t miss an opportunity to have a cream tea with the magnificent view of the castle at the Maze Cafe.