CHOCOLATE-BOX HEAVEN
Annabelle Thorpe highlights some of England’s prettiest villages –thatched cottages and all – within easy reach of the capital
LeedsLovely Castle
Photojournalist Jeremy Flint goes behind the scenes at this beautiful, moated castle, which is just a short journey from the capital
Leeds Castle is a magnificent palace, built on the site of a Norman stronghold on two islands in a lake formed from the River Len.
Set amid idyllic Kent countryside, the castle rises majestically from the surrounding moat, encircled by parklands and manicured seasonal gardens abundant with wildlife, which all add to the allure of what is considered ‘one of the most enchanting castles in England.’
Leeds was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as ‘Esledes’, a manor owned by the half-brother of William the Conqueror. The first of two stone castles was built in 1119, and then in 1278, Eleanor of Castile, wife of Edward I, acquired and remodelled the castle, establishing the tradition of the castle being gifted to queen consorts.
For centuries, it remained a royal residence under five succeeding medieval queens before passing into private
Left: Leeds Castle was a favourite home of King Henry VIII and was used as a stopover by him and his rst wife, Catherine of Aragon, on their way to France in 1520
Windsor Castle, Berkshire
Windsor Castle is the ultimate historic royal fortress, and it can be reached directly from London Waterloo station in under an hour; catch the train to Windsor and Eton Riverside and it’s a five-minute walk from there.
This magnificent royal residence is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. With almost 900 years of history within its imposing walls, it has been home to 40 monarchs since and is still one of the official homes of His Majesty King Charles III. It was a particular favourite of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, whose final resting place at St George’s Chapel can be visited by the public.
Visitors can tour the castle’s State Apartments, still used today for ceremonial events by the Royal Family, and see many of the Royal Collection Trust’s most precious treasures, including the incredible Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, which in 2024 celebrates its 100th birthday, and features miniature masterpieces and tiny Crown Jewels, studded with real diamonds. rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle
Beyond the CITY LIMITS
Henrietta Easton on the must-see sights easily accessed from the capital for the perfect add-on to your London visit
DINE among the VINES
Looking for fresh British produce, world-class wineries and low food miles? Then take a trip to Kent, writes Sally Coffey
Known as ‘Garden of England’, Kent has long been feted for its patchwork fields that provide much of Britain’s produce.
One apocryphal story says that Henry VIII was so impressed by the taste of a Flanders cherry that he ordered the first cherry orchard to be planted here, and today Kent still grows 90 per cent of the UK’s cherries.
This bucolic region’s skyline is also often broken up by the distinct shape of oast houses – the chimney-like relics of a time when it was one of the country’s busiest areas for drying out the hops used in beer production (Shepherd Neame, Britain’s oldest brewery, is still based here).
In recent decades, however, Kent has also built up a reputation for producing another of the UK’s favourite tipples: wine. The sparkling wine produced here is so good, in fact, that many of France’s biggest champagne houses are being persuaded to jump across the Channel.
The timing couldn’t be better. At a time when food provenance is at a premium, in the county just a hop and a jump from London (or a short train ride), you can enjoy homegrown wine tastings, paired with the scrummiest seasonal ingredients, all of which has barely travelled: think lamb from the Kent saltmarshes, Whitstable oysters, Dover sole, cobnuts (hazelnuts), asparagus, and potatoes, all sourced from within a matter of miles.
Because, though some Kent restaurants and pubs have made headlines – case in point, the Michelin-starred Sportsman in Seasalter – the truth is, you don’t have to refer to the Michelin guide to find good food and drink here. It’s all around you.
The growth of Kent wine
Kent’s fertile soil and mild climate – it’s one of the sunniest parts of England – have long made it a popular region for growing and while its history of fruit, vegetable and beer production is well documented, far less is known about is its historic roots in wine production.
The tradition of winemaking was brought to England by the Romans in AD43 and there was at least one ➤
The real Robin Hood
An invention of medieval balladeers to provide entertainment and a hero for the poor masses, or a real outlaw whose exploits shaped the legend we know today? Author Peter Staveley shares his thoughts on the man behind the myth
