Pickles the Leeds Castle Swan has sadly passed away at the grand age of 30, having recently celebrated his milestone birthday and found fame as the oldest swan in the UK.

Since 2013, the Leeds Castle estate has been home to Pickles, the large white Whooper Swan with a long thin neck and black legs. Pickles was easily recognisable to visitors by his large vibrant yellow bill. He was also the noisiest resident on the Castle’s moat and incredibly popular, with a huge following on his own social media channels!

Pickles was often seen swimming gracefully across the Castle’s ancient moat or on the vast Great Water, surrounded by his friends; Mute Swans, Trumpeter Swans and the famous Leeds Castle Black Swans. There are 19 captive bred swans that call the grounds of Leeds Castle home, but none were more famous than Pickles, the Castle’s oldest feathered resident.

Staff at the Castle recently celebrated ‘Pickles Day’, the date marked as Pickles 30th birthday and the swan shot to fame across the country as everyone, including Greg James on BBC Radio 1 celebrated his milestone achievement!

Mark Brattle, Falconry and Wildlife Manager at Leeds Castle said:

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Pickles the Swan who passed away yesterday. Pickles the Whooper Swan, was a massive character at the Castle and will be missed by staff and visitors alike. The Falconry & Wildlife Team would like to thank everyone for their kind words of support”.

Pickles will be fondly remembered by staff and visitors at the Castle, RIP to the feathered King of the Castle, fly high!