Is Leeds Castle a possible daytrip from Manchester?
May 3rd, 2006, 07:05 AM
#1
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Is Leeds Castle a possible daytrip from Manchester?
We just booked our tickets from JFK to Manchester and back for end of July. Upon arrival in Manchester we plan to go directly to York for 3 days by train then to Edinburgh for 3 days. Our last night or 2 will be in Manchester. Is it better spending 4 nights in Edinburgh and just 1 night in Manchester for you return trip? Or can we do a daytrip to Leeds on the last day if we spend 2 nights in manchester? Please advise .. lots of thanks...
May 3rd, 2006, 07:18 AM
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What Geoff said. Don't worry - even some Brits get confused by this, but Leeds Castle is some way south of London, not anywhere near Leeds.
Oh, and I'd spend the extra time in Edinburgh rather than 2 nights in Manchester. Manchester is a former industrial and now quite cosmopolitan city (great nightlife and shopping), but doesn't have a great deal to hold the average tourist.
Oh, and I'd spend the extra time in Edinburgh rather than 2 nights in Manchester. Manchester is a former industrial and now quite cosmopolitan city (great nightlife and shopping), but doesn't have a great deal to hold the average tourist.
May 3rd, 2006, 07:18 AM
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After many, many trips to London we still haven't been to Leeds Castle as everyone seems to tell us it isn't worth it. I certainly wouldn't make a trip from Manchester to do it!
Maybe you were thinking it is near the city of Leeds? No it isn't -- no relation between the two.
Maybe you were thinking it is near the city of Leeds? No it isn't -- no relation between the two.
May 3rd, 2006, 07:57 AM
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In response to 'Leeds Castle isn't worth it'. Yes it is. Although not from Manchester of course. I think it could be a day trip from London. In May the grounds are lovely with blooms. It's considered one of the world's most beautiful castles--aside from its Henry VII history.
May 3rd, 2006, 08:05 AM
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hopingtotravel, I just may make the day trip from London this summer to Leeds Castle, but I can tell you if you do a search here, you'll find you seem to be in the vast minority. Over and over again, I read here from those who say other than the grounds it is nothing special, and even the ground are often overrun with bus and tour groups making them not worth a special visit, and there are many better castles to visit in a day trip to London. I intend to find out for myself, eventually.
May 3rd, 2006, 08:57 AM
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For what it's worth - I've visited most of the major castles, estates and gardens in Britain and there is no way Leeds is one of the world's most beautiful castles. It's not even in the top 10.
The only way I can explain all the hype it gets is that there are some very clever marketing people lurking somewhere, or it's one of those travel myths that gets repeated so often, people believe it to be true.
I do admit the walk there as you begin to see glimpses of the castle is kind of exciting. But once you get there, and particularly when you tour inside, it's such a big let-down. On top of that, they rent half the place out to conferences and mid-way through your trip a wall suddenly opens and chubby guys with sweat-stained shirt and ties askew are desperately trying to find the shortest way to the loo.
But everyone appreciates/is looking for something different when they travel. Good luck.
The only way I can explain all the hype it gets is that there are some very clever marketing people lurking somewhere, or it's one of those travel myths that gets repeated so often, people believe it to be true.
I do admit the walk there as you begin to see glimpses of the castle is kind of exciting. But once you get there, and particularly when you tour inside, it's such a big let-down. On top of that, they rent half the place out to conferences and mid-way through your trip a wall suddenly opens and chubby guys with sweat-stained shirt and ties askew are desperately trying to find the shortest way to the loo.
But everyone appreciates/is looking for something different when they travel. Good luck.
May 3rd, 2006, 10:27 AM
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To answer your later question about day trips from Manchester, Chester is a very attractive city, with the old city built within the old castle walls which you can walk along. There is the river Dee to walk along or a boat trip, there are Roman ruins, the Cathedral is stunning, and the old city is crammed with black and white timbered buildings, and the famous and unique Rows - have a look at...
http://www.britainexpress.com/counti...r/the-rows.htm
www.chestertourist.com
http://www.britainexpress.com/counti...r/the-rows.htm
www.chestertourist.com
May 3rd, 2006, 11:00 AM
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This "loveliest castle in the world" stuff:
Leeds Castle actually does photograph very well. But they pull a couple of good tricks for conferences too. They helicopter some attendees in - and the place does look jolly good as the helicopter circles. They also give some attendees really terrific rooms for the night. I've hardly ever stayed anywhere as palatial. And nowhere, except private houses, with such impressive works of art on your bedroom wall.
However, unless you're not a guest the conference organiser is especially anxious to sell a few thousand cases of Brekkie-Wekkies to Leeds Castle really isn't the star in the Greater Greater London firmament.
Now daytrips from Manchester. Liverpool, Liverpool, Liverpool.
Or for a bit of countryside, the Derbyshire Dales. Or the beaches round Liverpool.
Leeds Castle actually does photograph very well. But they pull a couple of good tricks for conferences too. They helicopter some attendees in - and the place does look jolly good as the helicopter circles. They also give some attendees really terrific rooms for the night. I've hardly ever stayed anywhere as palatial. And nowhere, except private houses, with such impressive works of art on your bedroom wall.
However, unless you're not a guest the conference organiser is especially anxious to sell a few thousand cases of Brekkie-Wekkies to Leeds Castle really isn't the star in the Greater Greater London firmament.
Now daytrips from Manchester. Liverpool, Liverpool, Liverpool.
Or for a bit of countryside, the Derbyshire Dales. Or the beaches round Liverpool.
May 3rd, 2006, 11:09 AM
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You will also not be far from the Lake District and the Peak District, both well worth a visit although the Peak District will be less crowded at that time of year.
If you like Chinese or Indian food there are some good restaurants in Manchester's Chinatown and the "curry mile" in Rusholme has Indian restaurants to suit all pockets.
If you are interested in music, opera and literature, the Buxton Festival http://www.buxtonfestival.co.uk/
is on around then.
Buxton is a charming little town with a nice little opera house.
If you like Chinese or Indian food there are some good restaurants in Manchester's Chinatown and the "curry mile" in Rusholme has Indian restaurants to suit all pockets.
If you are interested in music, opera and literature, the Buxton Festival http://www.buxtonfestival.co.uk/
is on around then.
Buxton is a charming little town with a nice little opera house.
May 3rd, 2006, 11:25 AM
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Leeds Castle, near Maidstone, southeast of London, is one of Europe's top castles.....in terms of marketing itself as one of Europe's finest castles. Though nice there are zillions of castles in U.K. i'd rather visit.
May 3rd, 2006, 12:35 PM
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If you're a P&P freak, Chatsworth was where the most recent version was filmed (Keira and friends). Lyme Hall was the one before that (Colin Firth and the phwoaa factor). Both are easily accessible from Manchester.
May 3rd, 2006, 10:53 PM
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I second the suggestion of Liverpool. Not only are there a couple of Beatles tours, you might like visiting their maritime museum, shopping at Albert Dock, or riding the Mersey ferry. Chester is great, too. I loved "walking the walls".
May 4th, 2006, 08:09 AM
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Some bloke called Lord Conway once apparently described Leeds Castle as 'The loveliest castle in the world'.
However, I doubt he saw it as a coach weary tourist.
The marketing people have been hammering the phrase home on every ad, brochure, website and press release ever since. A legend is born.
I saw Pavarotti perform at an open air concert there a couple of years ago. It did make a very pretty backdrop.
However, I doubt he saw it as a coach weary tourist.
The marketing people have been hammering the phrase home on every ad, brochure, website and press release ever since. A legend is born.
I saw Pavarotti perform at an open air concert there a couple of years ago. It did make a very pretty backdrop.
May 4th, 2006, 09:29 AM
#19
hopingtotravel: Just about <u>every</u> castle in Kent has gorgeous wisteria. But a difference is the others have more to see, are more "authentic" and several even have better gardens.
Jul 4th, 2006, 12:43 AM
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I know this is an old thread, but Ive just seen James Blunt at Leeds Castle. We took champagne and a picnic and it was a beautiful backdrop sitting in the grounds with the great music as well.... It was packed with people, fantastic atmosphere, I would recommend going to a concert there anytime. They do put on Classical concerts but I think its already been and gone this year.
Oh yes and Im biased towards Leeds Castle. Its 2 miles up the road I am privileged to say
Oh yes and Im biased towards Leeds Castle. Its 2 miles up the road I am privileged to say
