Personally , I was lucky enough to indulge in these scenes from the splendour of a classic Rolls-Royce that , as part of the launch , ferried guests from the car park to the castle door , as though a guest of Lady Baillie herself .
“ On weekends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus , bearing parties to and from the city between nine in the morning and well past midnight .” - F . Scott Fitzgerald , The Great Gatsby
Although the Rolls-Royce will not be a permanent feature , this feeling of invitation and immersive wonder is sure to overcome guests as they tour the castle and take in the new exhibits . Guests will begin just as Lady Baillie did , witnessing the sights and sounds of the Italian and French carpenters and builders she employed to carry out extensive and detailed architectural work at the beginning of the castle ’ s restoration . Somewhat ahead of her time , Lady Baillie remained sympathetic to the castle ’ s history and embraced original features by rescuing them . She was able to add her own flair , not only by bringing in some of the world ’ s most acclaimed interior designers and architects , such as Boudin and Rateau , but also by adding 20th-century luxuries and displaying her own ever-growing collection of antiques . At the experience , guests have the chance to admire some pieces from her extensive antique collection , displayed as though just unpacked from a new delivery .
Leed ’ s Castle ’ s new exhibition has also , as Lady Baillie would have wanted , been designed to entertain and amaze through immersive experiences . “ Lady Olive Baillie was passionate about design and reinvention , as well as hosting lavish weekends for high profile friends . Even as the clouds of war gathered over Europe , the country house parties continued across luxurious retreats like Leeds Castle ,” Helen Bonser-Wilton , chief executive officer tells us . “ We wanted this new experience to take visitors on an immersive voyage through the 1930 ’ s castle . That meant not only getting up close and personal with original 1930 ’ s interiors , but also theatrical sets designed to feel like guests have just left the room . We want compelling storytelling to bring the experience of above and below stairs to life .”
During a visit to Leeds Castle , guests will now be able to meet some colourful characters , a tribute to the original guests that Lady Baillie would have entertained . As we walk through the beautiful rooms , we spot actors setting the scene in each one . An elegant ballroom dance and then an energetic jive takes place in the salon , two chaps sit playing canasta in the games room to represent their host ’ s keenness for gambling , and some more partygoers sit lounging on the huge sofas , Martinis in hand , in the drawing room . ‘ But where is Lady Baillie ?’ You might ask . The tour has been designed as though she is always one step ahead of you . We go in search of our enigmatic host , hoping to catch her upstairs .
Lady Baillie ’ s bedroom , dressing room and bathroom feel as though they would have done on the night of a party , as though she herself has only just stepped out of them after getting ready . Here , guests will not only marvel at Boudin ’ s interior design masterpieces in the style of the French Regency , but also witness the extraordinary luxury of the castle in the late 1920s through the opulent bathroom and dressing room , designed with no expense spared in order to host the extravagant beauty rituals of the time . Lavish walls lined with Russian onyx and Rateau ’ s theatrical wallpaper panels can be admired by guests ; a true surviving testament to Lady Baillie ’ s luxurious and refined tastes .
After ‘ the party ’ ends and our time touring the exhibition is over , we take in afternoon tea at the Maiden ’ s Tower , a separate part of the castle that saw more of Lady Baillie ’ s entertaining when the main castle was being used as a hospital during the war . I find myself thinking about when history becomes ‘ history ’, it is almost 100 years since Lady Baillie purchased the home that proved to be her longest lasting love affair . Considering the castle ’ s ancient roots , she is very much a recent addition , but her importance and significance in its story is crucial . The new experience showcases this beautifully and proves to be not only a pleasure for guests to revel and lose themselves in , but also a glorious tribute to a woman that recognised and appreciated Leeds Castle in all its glory , saving it from ruin and thus becoming an enthralling character ingrained in the castle ’ s story forever .
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