About James

James is passionate about all things great and small, from the smallest violet to the largest tree. He heads up the team of 12 professional staff that tend the 500 acres of historic parkland, grounds and gardens at Leeds Castle to provide the enchanting background for "the loveliest castle in the world".

James says: 

"Working at Leeds Castle is a Grounds Manager’s dream. The diversity in the land management alone is spectacular and that’s before you look at the variety of visitor attraction and operational elements I am involved in.

No two days are ever the same and the opportunity to work in a living historic environment is very rewarding. My responsibilities of being a custodian of this classically designed historic parkland and its period gardens range from activities such as sustaining ancient trees to protecting and establishing waterway habitats.

Leeds Castle provides the stage and backdrop to a full programme of events and activities throughout the year.  The challenge is being ready for when the gate opens so it all appears seamless to our visitors. It’s a fantastic reward when team efforts come together and part of what I thrive on is seeing our visitors smile.  

I am fortunate to both live and work within the grounds of Leeds Castle. The boundaries and perimeters of the estate bring me in contact with woodlands, rivers and farms. This gives me a great advantage for wildlife watching and enjoying country life with my family and dog.

It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be able to maintain this landscape and to pass it on to the next generation."