Leeds or Dover Castle?

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Planning October half term trip to Kent with DC. Which castle is more engaging for kids aged 10 and 12?

I haven been to Dover, but believe it is much bigger, so there would be more to do.

Leeds is great though and I do recommend that. Particularly as you exit the maze by going down through a grotto, so don't have to try and find your way out again! Beautiful grounds and the castle is still a decent size.

Leeds castle- beautiful grounds and garden, maze, playparks for kids of all ages, mainly about beauty.

Dover castle, war tunnels, ruins, more about history. Very imposing grounds, not so much about flowers etc.

Love both, but they are very different.

Happy to answer any questions.

Dover, as English Heritage. See if you can get a good offer and join for the year. There was so much to see there. Nearly an all day outing. Loved the War tunnels, but the revamped keep was also interesting. I'm hoping to get to Maison Dieu at some time too. What else do you have on your list?

This.

We have yearly tickets for both so go a fair bit. Our DC are 7 and 9 so a bit younger; they enjoy both, but probably prefer Leeds.

Personally I think I also prefer Leeds Castle - the walk from the entrance to the castle and then further on to the maze and parks is just very serene and picturesque. I prefer the ambience of the castle too - more intimate and homely; Dover is a bit more impersonal. Leeds is probably a bit more varied as well in what it offers.

But it depends what you're after. Highlights of each:

Dover: A lot of history and buildings to explore, war tunnels, watch out posts, ruins, can go right on to the roof, castle-themed educational playground.

Leeds: Very beautiful grounds, rivers and lake (which you can get a boat across), swan and duck feeding, maze, crazy golf, birds of prey, three different playgrounds.

They also both have events on over half-term. Might be a bit young for your DC, but maybe check those out to see if either particularly appeals.

So far Port Lympne or Howlett wildlife park - again can’t decide between them 😂 and tobogganing at Chatham Snowsports centre. And then hopefully an afternoon at the beach eating fish and chips!

We love Leeds Castle - but the castle itself isn't quite how you might expect. Sections done up as it was when owned in the 50s, for instance. Lovely but didn't feel the history of the place was really foremost or pushed, other than right at the very beginning. The overall experience however is great. Maze is amazing!!! Expensive but free entry again within the year. They often have a jousting tournament around May half term which is fabulous so makes it worth initial outlay if you do get down to Kent again. When we went last year, they had people doing a Halloween event - a show, and actors in role wandering around dressed as witches, werewolves etc. Pumpkins galore, obviously.

Dover Castle is English Heritage and far more interested in sharing the stories and its past.

If you want serious history, Dover is your better bet. (They may have events on in half term - don't know.) For a relaxed, fun family day out, Leeds would be better. In my opinion, anyway!

Have you considered Battle? It's another English Heritage place, centred around the Battle of Hastings. Our kids enjoyed that too, esp with the audio guides.

Thanks - that’s great, think we will do Dover. I had considered Battle but might go before the half term as they are doing an enactment of the battle on the 11/12th of October
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/battle-abbey-battle-of-hastings-11-12-oct-25/

If you choose Dover you can also check out Deal and Deal Castle. Deal is a pretty little town :)

Defiantly Dover - much better for history etc, medieval bit in main castle and then war tunnels as well.

However Leeds castle does have a go ape in the grounds if that's more your thing.

The zoo - I would go for Port Lympne as you get a Safari tour with the ticket - make sure you book on to this.

Where are you staying? - as loads of great beaches around (local so can advise best chippy spots)

Perfect- Port Lympne it is! I haven’t yet decided where to stay but happy to travel for a good chippie (there are none where we live) so would love a recommendation!

Dover , get EH membership and do Walmer castle as well , it’s small and only takes a couple of hours but it is brilliant and has an excellent history attached right through the ages . Also have a look at Wingham wildlife park as a choice instead of Port Lympe and Howletts , we much prefer it .

Park Road in Hythe is a good one 0 or the little fish shop in Sandgate - also some of the Folkestone ones are pretty good - We've got coeliacs in the family so I only know the ones that do GF options! Alternatively the Pilot at Dungeness is great for a sit in and its an interesting place for a walk around if you've never been!

Thanks so much! Park Road in Hythe looks great.

We had a great day at Dover last year (had a trip to Kent for our holiday at half term). My favourite EH place I think! Also enjoyed the chalk stacks at Botany Bay beach, boat trip around Canterbury, and milked our English Heritage memberships with more castles (Walmer I think) and Richborough Roman fort (which was much better than I expected, really enjoyed the audio guide and rhe kids activity was really novel).

I see you have gone for Dover Castle. If you have time go and look at the boat in Dover Museum. Will only take half an hour to have a quick look but it is amazing how old it is.