Leeds Castle Fireworks

Rising proudly across three islands on a lake in quintessentially English Kent, Leeds Castle is a supermodel among strongholds. It has the lot: moat, stone bridge, Tudor tower, mediaeval gatehouse, a couple of mazes, and an extraordinary collection of art and antiques gathered by its succession of royal and titled owners. It’s a handsome backdrop for arguably the most thrilling skyful of November fireworks in the southeast, attracting thousands of people over one or two nights. In front of the floodlit turrets and towers of the castle, a crack team of pyrotechnicians jet 10-metre flames into the night sky, bring legend to life with projected images and music, and win oohs and wows with a top-dollar firework display and an explosive grand finale. Leeds Castle schedules events year-round, and looks gorgeous come spring or snowfall, but this is its big night. It’s fun for all the family, with an atmosphere of childlike excitement, roaming entertainers and fire in the sky, but the setting is unbeatably romantic, too.

Highlights

The run-up to the pyrotechnics, which usually commence at 17h30, sees jugglers, fire-eaters and swordsmen getting mediaeval for the amusement of the crowd. The natural high point of the evening, though, is the culmination of the firework display, which comes with suitably climactic musical accompaniment.

In The Know

Head Count

Some 7,000 eager fireworks fans gather for the big event on each night.

Meeting Point

You can meet up with friends either by the bridge at the front of the castle, or at the restaurant in Fairfax Courtyard. There is also an information point that can’t be missed, where lost property and persons are taken – look out for the banners.

Best View

You can't go wrong: there are vantage points all along the cedar lawn.

Packing Tips

Heat-trapping layers, of course, with decent boots and an all-enveloping woolly scarf/glove/hat ensemble – and may we recommend a hip-flask of whisky or a Thermos of tea?

Escape

There are 500 acres of parkland and gardens around Leeds Castle, with lots of quiet corners. During the day, you can get away from it all by heading to the centre of the maze, made with 2,400 yew trees; then see if you can find your way back to it all again.

Dos and don'ts

• Revive your inner child – bring sparklers and wear mittens.
• Don’t expect to enter the castle; it’s closed for the event.
• Wrap up warm: November can be bitingly cold, especially when you are standing around outside for hours on end.
• Arrive early and leave pronto, to avoid getting caught in the rural rush hour as everyone heads for home.
• Don’t miss the jousting festivals and falconry displays taking place during daylight hours.
• Come back in spring to see the grounds covered in flowers, and make sure you include a visit to the unique and bizarre Dog Collar Museum, with its rare 18th-century German and Austrian baroque examples.

Need To Know

Children

This is definitely a fun day out for all the family, though the usual caveats apply when mixing young children with loud bangs and scary battlements.

Parking

There are parking instructions on the pre-booked tickets.

Disability Access

There's good access throughout the site, with smooth paths and only a couple of steep inclines. It's just a few hundred yards from the disabled car park to the fireworks, via a tarmacked road.

Food & Drink

The restaurant in the courtyard serves modern English food, and outdoor stalls provide comforting cold-weather sustenance such as curry and fish’n’chips, as well as fairground favourites, including candy floss and hot dogs. There’s also a beer bus.

Sleep

The Hotel du Vin, a 40-minute drive away in Tunbridge Wells, is plush and warm, with fireside dining, a cosy bar and deep rolltop baths in a handsome Grade II-listed building. Visit www.mrandmrssmith.com for more details and online bookings, or ring 0845 034 0701.

VIP

Not applicable at this event.

More Details

www.leeds-castle.com

Leeds Castle Fireworks Map