Editing Leeds Castle (section)

==Tourism==
[[File:leeds castle maze.JPG|thumb|right|The maze at Leeds Castle was made with 2,400 [[yew trees]] and opened in 1988.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.leeds-castle.com/goto.php?sess=+A5C5E47535956+F1D42131744505D1D1D58+E+C57+9+95B58415C47581B125014+543&id=96 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128005627/http://www.leeds-castle.com/goto.php?sess=+A5C5E47535956+F1D42131744505D1D1D58+E+C57+9+95B58415C47581B125014+543&id=96 |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 January 2013 |title=The Maze, Grotto and Turf Maze |publisher=Leeds Castle |access-date=14 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Fisher|Loxton|2007|p=68}}</ref>]]

An [[aviary]] was added in 1980 and by 2011 contained over 100&nbsp;species, but closed in 2012 to save its £200,000 a year running cost.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-15270302 |title=Leeds Castle to shut its aviary to save £200,000 |work=BBC News |date=12 October 2011 |access-date=14 March 2012 |archive-date=30 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230021615/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-15270302 |url-status=live}}</ref> The replacement Birds of Prey Centre, includes hawks on display and free-flying [[falconry]] displays.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.leeds-castle.com/Visit/Attractions/Falconry/ |title=Falconry at Leeds Castle |work=Leeds Castle |access-date=7 September 2022 |quote=birds from a variety of different species, from our smallest Burrowing Owl to our largest, a Russian Steppe Eagle. |archive-date=7 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907181012/https://www.leeds-castle.com/Visit/Attractions/Falconry/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The castle and its grounds are a major leisure destination with a golf course and what may be the world's only museum of [[dog collar]]s. There are two castle-themed children's adventure play areas targeted at the under sevens and the under fourteens.<ref>{{cite news |title=Things to do |url=https://leeds-castle.com/visit/things-to-do/ |website=Leeds Castle |access-date=15 November 2022 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115141110/https://leeds-castle.com/visit/things-to-do/ |url-status=live}}</ref> A [[maze]] opened in 1988, constructed of 2,400 [[yew tree]]s with the general appearance of a [[topiary]] castle. The centre is on a raised viewpoint, which also contains an exit through a [[grotto#Garden grotto history and design|shell grotto]].{{sfn|McCann|2002|p=87}} The castle also offers accommodations for tourists including rental rooms<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/kent/hotels/leeds-castle-hotel/ |title=Leeds Castle |work=The Telegraph |date=3 October 2017 |access-date=7 September 2022 |quote= |archive-date=7 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907183358/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/kent/hotels/leeds-castle-hotel/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and a campsite area with luxury tents called Knight's Glamping.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.visitmaidstone.com/accommodation/knights-glamping-at-leeds-castle-p204731 |title=Knight's Glamping |work=Visit Maidstone |access-date=7 September 2022 |quote= |archive-date=7 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907183537/https://www.visitmaidstone.com/accommodation/knights-glamping-at-leeds-castle-p204731 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1998, Leeds Castle was one of 57&nbsp;heritage sites in England to receive more than 200,000&nbsp;visitors.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/433171.stm |title=Castle fires up tourists |work=BBC News |date=30 August 1999 |access-date=14 March 2012 |archive-date=6 July 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040706161713/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/433171.stm |url-status=live}}</ref> According to figures released by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, 539,971&nbsp;people visited the castle in 2019. Due to travel and other restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of visitors in 2020 had declined to 389,363 in that year.<ref name="ALVA 2019 visitor numbers">{{cite web |title=Visits Made in 2021 to Visitor Attractions in Membership with Alva |url=https://www.alva.org.uk/details.cfm?p=423 |website=Association of Leading Visitor Attractions |access-date=7 September 2022 |archive-date=7 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307140834/https://www.alva.org.uk/details.cfm?p=423 |url-status=live}}</ref>