At the beginning of this year, Leeds Castle welcomed visitors to experience our stonework conservation project from the scaffolding itself.
Through a series of guided visits, guests climbed the external scaffolding and explored the Castle from an entirely new perspective, learning more about the specialist craft of stonemasonry and the careful work required to repair and protect historic stonework. The experience concluded at the upper levels of the Castle, where visitors were able to take in breathtaking views across the estate.
The tours formed part of our wider efforts to share the story of conservation work at Leeds Castle and to help visitors better understand the expertise, planning and dedication involved in caring for a historic building of this scale. They also provided a valuable opportunity to connect directly with the public, answer questions and demonstrate why ongoing conservation work is so essential in protecting the Castle for future generations.
We were delighted by the enthusiasm shown by everyone who took part, from history enthusiasts and local supporters to those keen to learn more about heritage and craftsmanship.
What Our Visitors Said:
The response to the scaffolding tours was overwhelmingly positive, with many visitors sharing how much they valued the rare opportunity to see conservation work up close.
“The tour really opened my eyes to the incredible skill and detailed decision-making involved in the stonework — from assessing each piece of Maidstone ragstone to choosing whether to repair, restore or replace. The views from the scaffolding were absolutely amazing.”
“Fascinating and very informative — I hadn’t realised how complex the process is from start to finish, or how much knowledge and commitment the team brings to the project. Fascinating listening to the guides and seeing how passionate they are about their work. The chance to see it all up close, was great!.”
“The craftsmanship was remarkable, and learning about the different approaches to conservation was very interesting. Standing on the scaffolding, with such incredible views of the Castle, made the whole experience even more special.”
“Seeing the building work and how it’s being preserved really shows how important this is for the future of the Castle.”
Meet the Mason Day at Leeds Castle
In March, we were delighted to welcome visitors to Meet the Mason Day at Leeds Castle, hosted as part of our stonework conservation project.
The event gave visitors the opportunity to meet the skilled stonemasons from PAYE, who were helping to care for and preserve the Castle, whilst learning more about the traditional craft techniques involved in this important work. Throughout the day, visitors were able to watch live demonstrations, handle specialist tools and even try their hand at stone carving.
It was wonderful to see so many people engaging with the project and taking an interest in the conservation work taking place around the Castle. Events like this provide a valuable opportunity to share the expertise, craftsmanship and dedication involved in preserving historic buildings for future generations.
You can watch the video created by PAYE during the event below:
Project Completion
With the scaffolding tours now complete, the stonework conservation project successfully concluded in April. The repairs undertaken during this phase will help protect the fabric of the Castle and ensure it can continue to be enjoyed by visitors for many years to come.
We would like to thank everyone who joined us on a tour, attended Meet the Mason Day, and supported this initiative throughout the project.
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