Hello,
In three weeks I will be traveling to London. I plan on taking public transportation. Wanting to see Leeds Castle as a day trip from London. I have looked up info from the castle's website and rome2rio. Basically, take the train from Victoria Station and get off at Hollingbourne Station. Then a 35 minute walk to the castle. I have tried finding out if there's a bus or taxi service, but not finding anything. I love to walk, so the walking won't be bad. Just thinking if the weather is bad what my opinions could be. If anyone has tried this, please let me know.
Thank you in advance!
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2776 posts
You will want to leave from London Victoria Station to Bearsted Station, then taxi to Leeds Castle.
There is a train that leaves at 8:52am arriving at 10:01am, taxi ride is 6 minutes.
Posted by
San Diego
1540 posts
We took the train from London to Leeds Castle. There were shuttle buses at the train station to take tourists to the castle. We paid admission and were then on our own to tour the grounds (which are really beautiful) and the castle (very interesting - fully furnished).
We had all the time we wanted and did not take a tour.
Here is a link with additional information. I was there several years ago and things may have changed - but getting the bus from the train station to the castle was very easy.
Leeds Castle Shuttle
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Look out for the spectacular huge gunnera plants in the gardens.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
The gunnera dies back every autumn and won't have started growing again, so there won't be anything to see! Plenty of other things to see, though.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
Haha. Of course. While I am frying, u r freezing. Fine Henry VIII portrait to see instead.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32829 posts
From the Leeds Castle website for arrival by train:
Travelling by Train
We recommend travelling to Bearsted Station. Southeastern runs
frequent services to and from Bearsted and a coach shuttle service run
by Spot Travel is available from the station from April to September.
A private service is also available from October to March. Please
check the Spot Travel website or call 01622 738932 before you travel.
Posted by
Troy, Oh, USA
2776 posts
As you can see in Nigel's post the shuttle doesn't run in March so the OP will need to take a taxi to Leeds Castle from the train station, that is the reason I didn't mention the shuttle in my first post. You could call the number in Nigel's post, but if there isn't enough people to make it worth it the shuttle won't run..
Posted by
OP
WA, USA
330 posts
Thanks Robin.
I had seen the spot travel shuttle service prior to Nigel's posting. I have contacted them, but no response yet.
Hoping there will be a taxi. Otherwise, I will walk.
Posted by
OP
WA, USA
330 posts
Spot travel got back to me today.
They said that they operate between 10 and 4 pm.
Cost 20 pounds each way. They say to find others to share the expense.
That's a little high for me.
I will hope for a taxi or I will just walk.
Thank you for all the replies.
Posted by
Nashville, TN, USA
3787 posts
Don't get off the train in Bearsted. Stay on and get off at Hollingbourne Station. Hollingbourne is just north east of Leeds Castle, and you will have a much shorter walk (43 minutes). Or taxi $7 to $10. Or bus $3.
https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Leeds-Castle/Hollingbourne
We did this two years ago.