The Black Dog of Leeds Castle is one of Kent's most enduring ghostly legends. It is described as a large, spectral black dog, often resembling a retriever with curly fur. Unlike a normal dog, it appears and vanishes silently and at will, often seen roaming the castle grounds or even within its ancient walls. For centuries, its appearance has been considered a dire omen, heralding misfortune, illness, or death to those associated with the castle or those who witness it. The most common origin story links the phantom hound to Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester, who was imprisoned at Leeds Castle in the 1430s on charges of witchcraft. The dog was said to be her demonic familiar or a curse she placed upon the castle. While modern sightings are infrequent, the legend persists, and any unexplained canine-like phenomena at the castle are often attributed to this ominous spirit.