You may have heard that Leeds Castle is embarking on a new adventure which will involve thematic displays and introduce you to one of the most sophisticated, yet enigmatic female owners of the Castle, as we return to the glamourous 1930s.
Since its International Women’s Day, join us as we celebrate the extraordinary life of Lady Baillie, who in her day was empowered, educated, and determined, and brought her strength and resilience into every adventure.
Lady Baillie spent decades transforming the Castle into one of the most desirable country houses of the 20th century. She directed the reconstruction throughout the Castle and introduced stunning interiors with the help of renowned French designers; Armand-Albert Rateau and Stéphane Boudin.
At her hand, Leeds Castle became one of England’s great country houses, where lavish weekend parties took place, attended by a sparkling mix of Hollywood stars, society’s finest and leading politicians all of whom partied within the Castle’s walls.
But it wasn’t all Champagne and dancing as World War Two saw the luxurious interiors utilised as a hospital under Lady Baillie’s guidance and lead, with top secret weapons research carried out in the grounds.
In 1974 after decades of work breathing life back into the castle, Lady Baillie gave one final gift, and left the Castle to the Leeds Castle Foundation in order to preserve it for generations to come.
This is just a small glimpse into the life of Lady Baillie. To discover more, please visit ‘The Lady Baillie Years’.
Visit the official International Women’s Day website here to see how you can make a difference.
