SPONSORED EDITORIAL

This summer be entertained by a host of characters across an eight week extravaganza of music, drama and adventure at Leeds Castle.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the historic castle, movie fans will enjoy the epic blockbuster Gladiator, followed by classic 1990s romantic comedy with Pretty Woman on Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29 respectively.

The open-air drama continues on Saturday, August 5 when Changeling Theatre presents Hamlet. This story of human mortality and struggle is a brilliant, relevant Shakespeare play for modern times.

Younger visitors can enjoy an adaption of The Wind in the Willows on Thursday, August 17 and Friday, August 18. The show is packed with eye-catching costumes, toe-tapping music and larger than life characters. Why not pack your picnic for this perfect summer treat for all the family from the Immersion Theatre?

The evening ticketed events end with Pride and Prejudice. The show is on Saturday, September 2 when you’ll have the chance to step back in time with Chapterhouse Theatre Company to meet Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Austen's most loveable heroine. Join friends and family as you picnic under the summer skies and lose yourself in this unforgettable love story.

Keeping the children entertained in the school holidays is simple with a host of activities included in the castle's daily entrance ticket, starting with the Junk Orchestra on Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6. Join a supersonic journey of the UK’s finest recycled objects in this show for the whole family.

There will be fun and frivolity on Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13 with Interactive Children's Theatre: Heroes, Heroines and Hoods. This is theatre with a difference, where children perform history for the grown-ups!

Mr Alexander brings his amazing Travelling Show to Leeds Castle for the first time on Saturday, August 19 and Sunday, August 20. Enjoy a vintage style family variety show including magic, juggling, unicycling and illusion performed on a traditional stage with the flavour of a Victorian theatre.

Mystery Quest from Monday, August 21 to Friday, August 25 is a wonderfully challenging event for all the family that will get you guessing. Solve puzzles, find clues, answer questions and watch engaging performances with treasure hunts and murder mystery activities.

The holiday fun continues with Creation Station from Saturday, August 26 to Bank Holiday Monday, August 28. Children will be inspired by four fun activities from creative

play on The Cube, a brightly coloured cube featuring interactive cartoons, to 3D clay modelling with the Amazing Scene Machine to creating a giant butterfly in the Big Art workshop. You can also make bugs and birds in the Make and Take Workshop.

Daily attractions at the castle - which are come with the entrance ticket - include the adventure playgrounds Knights’ Realm and Squires’ Courtyard and the wonderfully complicated Yew Maze and Grotto. There are also daily free flying falconry displays featuring owls, hawks, falcons and a vulture

PRICES AND OPENING TIMES

Admission tickets cost £24.90 for adults; £21.90 for seniors and visitors with disabilities (carer goes free); £16.90 for children, £13.90 for children with disabilities (age 4-15 years), under fours free.

Admission tickets are valid for 12 months so you can pay once and visit all year round. Book online in advance for discounted tickets, visit www.leeds-castle.com

For all evening ticketed events, book online or call 01622 767865.

Leeds Castle is just off Junction 8 of the M20 near Maidstone. Grounds open at 10am daily and the castle is open from 10.30am.

Last admission is 4.30pm and gates close at 6pm.