Leeds Castle Knights’ Glamping review: a fun family escape in Kent

In the grounds of the majestic Grade I listed Leeds Castle in Kent, Knights’ Glamping is a collection of medieval tents that are available to book between April and September. An overnight stay includes entry to Leeds Castle and out-of-hours access to the 500-acre grounds. 

It’s ideal for a family escape that combines outdoorsy adventure, fun activities and relaxation and there’s something for everyone, no matter the age. And the novelty of waking up in a regal setting is hard to beat. 

We visited with my five-year-old son and it was our family’s first real foray into glamping — my only previous experience being a rather unprepared camping stint in a festival field after university. 

The tents come with cosy four-poster beds and are well equipped, and there’s a cottage with toilets, showers and a communal kitchen for all guests to use. 

We loved the playgrounds in the castle grounds as well as the crazy golf course and the bird sanctuary. There’s also a pop-up beach to enjoy in the summer months.  

A long weekend here is perfect. We stayed overnight and I wish we’d had a bit more time as there were still plenty of activities we didn’t get to try. Next time we’ll go all out with the full camping experience: a BBQ and a fire under the starry sky, taking it a bit slower and soaking it all in.

How we tested 

I stayed at Knights’ Glamping with my husband and son (aged nearly six) for one night in June in one of the glamping tents. We drove from north London, and it took us just over two hours, mostly due to traffic near the Dartford Crossing. We stayed in one of the glamping tents and dined at the on-site restaurant for dinner and breakfast. While there, we got stuck into as many of the activities as we could.

What are the tents like? 

Located in the grounds of Leeds Castle, all eight tents have a medieval theme and each has its own outdoor area and decked terrace. Behind colourful canvas you’ll find a double four-poster bed with a small dressing table beside it; ours was set up with a camp bed, a sleeping bag and an extra blanket for our son.

Tents sleep up to four people and come with a heater and hot water bottles (in case the weather turns sour) and kitchen supplies (pots, pans, tea, coffee, biscuits and hot chocolate to use in the communal kitchen), as well as a safe for valuables - pretty much everything you’d want or expect from a standard hotel room. 

And in true glamping style, there’s a firepit and a barbecue area just outside each tent. Facilities including showers, toilets and a well-equipped communal kitchen are all close by in the ‘Knights’ Cottage’ and while basic, everything is impeccably clean, ensuring a comfortable stay. 

We parked in the adjacent field and found unloading our bags a breeze. 

If camping isn’t your thing, the other accommodation options look lovely too. There are cottages and lakeside lodges in the grounds, and you can stay in the Stable Courtyard and Maiden’s Tower on a B&B basis. 

What activities are on offer at Leeds Castle? 

The price of an overnight stay includes free entry to Leeds Castle so you can explore the former home of seven of England’s medieval and Tudor queens. But your kids might be more interested in the impressive grounds which feature playgrounds, activities and wildlife. 

We started off at the bird sanctuary, adjacent to the glamping area, just in time for the 3pm meet and greet where we got to meet and stroke an owl and see (but not stroke) a baby owl. Once my son was happy he’d seen all the birds and read all their names, we moved on to the playground. There are three play areas including an outdoor assault course and a wooden castle that kept our son thoroughly entertained. The makeshift beach (essentially a sandpit with deck chairs for the parents and buckets and spades for the kids) was popular, as was the van selling ice lollies next to it. After spending over an hour running between the playgrounds, we hit the 12-hole mini golf course which was challenging but easy enough for small players. 

There’s loads to keep little ones happy; our son’s enthusiasm never waned during our stay and there were still many things we didn’t have time to do, such as the maze, the castle train, and more.

With so many activities on offer, Leeds Castle is a solid choice for a family getaway. A return trip is definitely in order, and next time, we’ll bring our two-year-old too!

What’s the food like? 

We had dinner at the on-site restaurant, though as mentioned, if you’re glamping you have access to a full kitchen and a BBQ area, and there are also off-site options nearby. The restaurant overlooks Leeds Castle which makes for a stunning backdrop and the staff are absolutely lovely, really polite and friendly. We dined on classic English/French-inspired dishes which were hearty and well presented but nothing that would make you call your mother in excitement about. I was satisfied with the chicken, my husband and son less so with their choices.

On our way back to the tent from dinner, we spotted a family enjoying themselves around the fire with marshmallows and there was definitely a tinge of regret from us about not doing this. If we were to go again, we’d definitely come better prepared to use the BBQ and fire pit area. 

The next morning, the walk to the Castle View restaurant by the lake and through the Culpeper Garden was beautiful and so peaceful. My husband and son couldn’t face waking up early to make it for breakfast (the best compliment for how fun the first day was) so I had the difficult task of trying as much of the breakfast as possible. Breakfast was a reliable buffet with a few separate hot menu items on offer that hit the spot. There was something for everyone. It was satisfying, familiar, and entirely serviceable. The staff’s friendliness and attentiveness again made me feel welcome and well cared for.

What is there to do nearby? 

Leeds Castle itself provides an epic backdrop for a family escape. Steeped in history and surrounded by lush greenery, it offers a peaceful setting for families. With so much to see and do on-site, from exploring the grand interiors to wandering the picturesque grounds home to playgrounds and an epic maze, it's easy to lose yourself in the magic of it all. Beyond the castle, there’s the Kent countryside to explore with its charming villages and scenic landscapes. 

The location puts you within an hour’s drive of both Canterbury and Royal Tunbridge Wells, and it’s a 20-minute drive from Rochester with its castle, cathedral and links to Charles Dickens.   

About the author

Zoe Kotsis is a Planning Manager at Mumsnet and a mum of two.