Leeds Castle

Garden House, in the grounds of “the loveliest castle in the world” is now available to hire for your Christmas meeting or New Year conference.

Garden House at Leeds Castle is situated in the estate’s Culpepper Garden, originally the site of the castle’s kitchen garden and the former home of many Leeds Castle Head Gardeners in the past.

Recently refurbished to the highest standard, Garden House is an exciting new addition to Leeds Castle’s range of corporate venues available for hire.

Ideal for your private function, the meeting room in Garden House can seat up to 24 delegates theatre or boardroom style for seminars, presentations and conferences.

The venue offers the optional use of a small breakout or interview room next door, state of the art audio visual equipment and inclusive Wi-Fi.

A day delegate rate is available at £42 per person (+ VAT), which includes teas, coffees and biscuits throughout the day and a flexible lunch option which can be tailored to suit your programme for the day. Hire of the venue is subject to a minimum of 10 delegates.

Stay overnight at the new Stable Courtyard Bed and Breakfast at Leeds Castle, ideal for corporate groups and business travellers. Bedrooms include four en-suite double rooms in Garden House, available to book from £130 per night.

Leeds Castle is located near Maidstone in Kent just off Junction 8 of the M20, and only one hour’s drive from London.

To discuss your individual requirements please contact the Hospitality team on 01622 767855.

Available from October 2010 is a wonderful new hospitality venue at historic Leeds Castle in Kent. Set on the castle island surrounded by a moat and 500 acres of tranquil parkland, the Maiden’s Tower has been fully restored and refurbished to form part of the weddings and hospitality facilities.

The tower can be used throughout the day as well as for evening events as it is entirely separate from the areas used by castle visitors. It accommodates up to 60 guests for dinner and 120 for drinks receptions. Sensitively restored to preserve its fine Tudor features, the tower offers self contained accommodation for conferences, weddings and private celebrations.

Beautifully decorated in period style with a contemporary twist, the Maiden’s Tower now has five stunning bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. The imposing entrance hall with an extraordinary wall hanging by Impressionist artist Raul Dufy opens up into two tapestry-hung large reception rooms, both with huge fireplaces and polished oak floorboards. In fine weather, the French doors can be opened onto the enclosed outdoor space where guests can relax in a private walled garden.

The Maiden’s Tower is an integral part of the castle island and has a rich history. Reconstructed in the 16th century by Henry VIII, the building takes its name from a religious recluse who lived on the site during the reign of Richard II. Originally a Tudor bake house and brewery for the castle, it housed the laundry in Victorian times, and provided overflow accommodation and a private cinema for guests attending house parties hosted by Lady Baillie, the last private owner, in the 1930s. Her daughter lived in the tower until 2001.

As with its colourful past, the Maiden’s Tower will once again be a venue to inspire and impress; a place to entertain family, friends, clients and colleagues in luxurious splendour, fit for a king.

Leeds Castle is located just off Junction 8 of the M20, midway between London and the Channel Ports, with excellent links to the UK motorway network. For further information on the Maiden’s Tower and other hospitality venues contact the hospitality team on Tel: 01622 767813; Email: hospitality@leeds-castle.co.uk or visit the website www.leeds-castle.com

The Leeds Castle Foundation, the charity that owns Leeds Castle, has a long

tradition of supporting sport. On 26th March they went a step further, putting the

beauty and glamour of the castle to work at a charity dinner held to encourage

local and national businesses and sponsors to support potential young sports

stars of the 2012 Olympics.

The castle near Maidstone in Kent is less than an hour from the Stratford site

and expects to be used as a venue for corporate entertaining and

accommodation throughout the 2012 games. With 20 luxurious bedrooms and

fine dining, and 24 further bedrooms on the estate, it offers a wonderful location

in historic and beautiful surroundings, with excellent transport links to London

and the continent.

The dinner was attended by Lord Moynihan, the Chairman of the British Olympic

Committee; Alan Willett, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent; and Hugh Robertson MP,

Shadow Minister for the Olympics, along with other gold medal winners. During

the evening, potential sponsors met Maidstone’s young athletes and offered to

support them as they dedicate their time and effort to training for the most

important competition in their careers.

Castle Chief Executive Victoria Wallace, said: “This was a charity dinner with a

difference. Our guests were invited to make pledges of support to athletes,

either in financial terms, or with “in kind” arrangements. We knew many

organisations wanted to help young people with a dream, and to get involved

with one of the most exciting events ever to take place in London, right on our

doorstep.”

“Having read about the efforts of Maidstone Borough Council to bring business

and sports stars together through the “Maidstone’s Dream” project, the

Foundation decided to sponsor aspiring local archer Jacqui Gould after her

inspirational comeback from what could have been a devastating injury to

compete at national and international level.”

Victoria Wallace continues: “We realised we could also play a role in encouraging

other organisations and individuals to make a difference to the lives of more of

these dedicated young sportsmen and women, by hosting an event at the castle,

and bringing everyone together. It was a glittering event which we hope will lead

to a greater chance of gold medal success in 2012.”

Maidstone Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Brian

Moss, said: “We were absolutely delighted to work with Leeds Castle to help the

athletes on the Maidstone’s Dream website. This was a marvellous opportunity

Leeds Castle Enterprises Ltd, Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL

Telephone: (01622) 765400 Facsimile: (01622) 735616 Website: www.leeds-castle.com

Leeds Castle Enterprises Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Leeds Castle Foundation, a registered charity. Registered Office: Leeds Castle

Registered in England No. 1172263 VAT No. 303 8709 66

for them to gain some sort of sponsorship. Many of them juggle work or school

with their training and competitions and if a business can relieve this pressure in

any way then they are grateful.”

At the dinner, the Foundation also announced the establishment of a fund for

local young athletes to draw on to support their costs of travelling to training

events or competitions. Donations can be made through Leeds Castle’s website:

www.leeds-castle.com or if you would like to support an athlete directly, via the

Maidstone’s Dream website www.maidstonesdream.co.uk.