The Maiden's Tower at Leeds Castle has won the AA award for 2017's Unique B&B of the year.
The castle – which, confusingly for tourists, is located in Kent – is one of the finest, and best-preserved, castles in the world. Originally a Norman stronghold, it was used by Edward I as a royal residence; Henry VIII also spent many happy days there with his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. (Before he divorced her, of course.)
Royal residents have long been a thing of the past, however, and since 1976 the castle has been open as a tourist attraction. Of late, they've also moved into accommodation – everything from cottages to and it's one of these options, the Maid's Tower, which has won the AA's prestigious award.
13 beautiful palaces where guests are welcome, in Britain and beyond
Hazel Plush takes a look at the magnificent palaces where guests are welcome.
There are five bedrooms within the tower, in a part of the castle which dates back to the 16th century, each named after one of the princesses who has stayed at the castle and decorated in Tudor style.
The romance doesn't end merely with the setting and rooms, however: guests also get some lovely extras such as a boat ride on the moat and an opportunity to go on a 'hawk walk' with the castle's falconers.
Leeds Castle is in Kent, five miles from Maidstone – prices for B&B in the Maid's Tower start at £260 per room, per night.
-
The Country Life guide to Somerset: What to do, where to stay and how to eatSomerset is rich in natural beauty and history, but it is its wealth of small-scale food and drink producers, farmers and makers that really set it apart from the competition. Find out how to make the most of it all with our indispensable guide.
-
How to make a gloomy city garden into a haven of colour and natureTiffany Daneff discovers how to transform a typically dark London back garden into a light-filled green haven that is always in use. Photographs by Clive Nichols.
-
The Country Life guide to Somerset: What to do, where to stay and how to eat
Somerset is rich in natural beauty and history, but it is its wealth of small-scale food and drink producers, farmers and makers that really set it apart from the competition. Find out how to make the most of it all with our indispensable guide.
-
On your marks, get set, go: The booming business of sports tourismRising numbers of travellers want to participate in or watch some form of sweat-inducing activity. From VIP Formula 1 tickets to golf underneath the Northern Lights, here's how to join them.
-
Direct to the DolomitesThe upcoming Italian Winter Olympic Games means that the Dolomite Mountains are firmly in the spotlight. And from new hotels to self-drive itineraries there's plenty to do and see.
-
Where to go in 2025A new year always brings a bumper crop of hotels to look forward to and the rest of 2025 is no exception. Here are the five we are looking forward to most.
-
From Bond to billions: How Andermatt is becoming one of the most talked about ski resorts in the AlpsOriginally a sleepy town used by the Swiss army, the resort of Andermatt is growing into a must-visit for the discerning skier.
-
'The country’s coasts are long-hailed as some of the most desirable destinations on the planet': Where was the third season of 'The White Lotus' filmed?Pack your bags because The White Lotus is back.
-
Riviera dreaming: Why this glamorous Tuscan seaside town isn't content to fly under the radar anymoreOnce frequented by David Bowie, Monte Argentario, on Italy's Tuscan coastline, is back in the spotlight a half century on and betting on a new wave of popularity.
-
Dawn Chorus: Audrey Hepburn’s Swiss villa hits the market for £17 million and research reveals that looking at art can, quite literally, help you live longerEverything you need to know today: The Swiss home that Audrey Hepburn lived in for 30 years prior to her death is for sale, those who regularly engage with art have a 31% lower risk of dying early and an iconic Palm Beach hotel teams up with interior designer Ashley Hicks.
