All in all, very disappointing and we certainly wont be going back again next year. Here are some facts about Hever Castle. We showed him the website where it clearly said it was and he said, "But the moment you pass this kiosk, you are entering the gardens and for that you have to pay" I was, and still am, totally perplexed. T here was a motte and bailey construction at Hever in the mid-thirteenth century, which was extended following the grant of a licence to the de Hever family in 1271 to rebuild in stone, and to crenellate. Stay in Hever Castle's boutique bed and breakfast, Don't miss these in the Book of Hours Room, Receive all the latest news, events and fantastic offers straight to your inbox.'. Everything is open at Hever Castle during this current time and is now operating a pre-booking system and during peak times for access you may need to queue. For garden it was Around 14.00 for adult & 9.00 for child. From her time at the French chteaus of the Loire Valley to her untimely end at the Tower of London, each site provides a piece of the story that has captivated audiences for over 500 years. Visitors can also spectate at the detailed reconstruction of a World War I trench equipped with sound effects and the interior of a World War II Cromwell tank turret. Hever hosts a number of special events throughout the season including gardening events with the head gardener and his team. There is also a water maze, opened in 1999, the object of which is to reach the folly at the centre without getting wet, while in the children's adventure playground there is a tower maze (currently undergoing reconstruction). In the 15th and 16th centuries it was the home of one of the most powerful families in the country, the Boleyns, who modernised the existing dwelling within the walls. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Hi there, Hever Castle & Gardens is privately owned and not part of the National Trust. For authenticity, the museum is designed to resemble a military operations tent, so that visitors feel as if they have been transported through time to observe the true military experience of the past and present of the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry. It was then owned by James Fiennes, 1st Baron Saye and Sele. Castle Fast Facts | Squizzes [16] The grounds of the castle include a yew maze, planted in 1904. Read below for everything you need to know about Hever Castle. Eventually, he had acquired a large personal fortune, became Lord Mayor of London and was knighted. Most people know the story of Ann and Henry and Hever's place in that story but it is so much more. The Fun Kids Top Ten - Castles and Stately Homes The only minor setback was that the service in the restaurant was quite slow, although one of the assistants did open an additional till to help customer flow-through. Although there was a queueing system in place, you could easily stay and view each room at leisure. Discover magnificent award-winning gardens set in 125 acres of glorious grounds. Unfortunately because of the situation at the moment with the virus, we had to queue for 1 hour and 20 minutes to actually get into the castle as they were limiting the number of visitors, which is understandable, but very tiring. You'd think (wouldn't you?) The castle is still there today, and you can visit it and see the rooms and grounds where Anne and her siblings would have played! The third period of repair and renovation was in the 20th century, when it was acquired by William Waldorf Astor. Gradually it fell into decline before William Waldorf Astor invested time, money and imagination in restoring the Castle. Discover the history of Hever Castle, its owners and inhabitants as you travel through time from its construction in 1383 to the present day. She was the lucky one. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. There's a beautiful lake that you can take a leisurely walk around too. Today it presents a stunning glimpse into the splendour of those close to the Tudor crown, and provides a personal look into the life of one of British history's most intriguing female figures. DIY Childrens Room Door Letters: Craft Challenge #1. Perfect For The Kids You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This page was last modified on 25 April 2023, at 23:22. The room, grounds and staff were first class and my wife and I really enjoyed our short stay. . The castle itself is fascinating and you have the choice to just wander or listen to a tour using a headphone system. [17], The castle can provide accommodations for visitors who wish to stay overnight, including 28 rooms that can be rented in a B&B format. If you happen to be a collector of military knowledge, then the KSY Military Museum is an opportunity not to be missed. Day out in Kent at Hever Castle & Gardens Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Cant take dog in the castle sadly but gardens are fine. Anne lived at Hever until 1513 when she was sent to the court of Archduchess Margaret in the Netherlands to refine her skills as a courtier, yet upon her return soon caught the eye of Henry VIII. The Water Maze is a conundrum with a difference! Entry to the Castle, Water Maze and Play Areas is on a first come first served basis. But she was so witty and amusing that they remained friends. The gardens are really extensive you could lose yourself in them for most of a day! For the ultimate golf break in Kent, stay in five-star luxury in the accommodation at Hever Castle and play our 27 hole Championship Course. We have kids aged 11, 9, 6 and 3 so sometimes its hard to find a play area which they all enjoy. A luxury collection of 28 stunning bedrooms located in the Astor Wing & the Anne Boleyn Wing, an Edwardian Wing attached to the Castle and connected inside. The last entry to the castle and grounds duringthe main season (31st March 26th October) is at 16:30 with the final exit of visitors scheduled to be approximately 18:00. In 1540, Henry gave the castle to another of his wives. He was the elder son of William . I will remember my trip to Hever forever. If you visit Hever in the Spring, like we did, youll be greeted with a gorgeous spread of daffodils! Hever Castle is located in the village of Hever, 30 miles from Central London, 3 miles southeaster of Edenbridge off the B2026 between Sevenoaks and East Grinstead. We recommend booking Hever Castle & Gardens tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor, (born May 19, 1879, New York Citydied September 30, 1952, Cliveden, Buckinghamshire, England), member of Parliament (1910-19) and agricultural expert whose Cliveden home was a meeting place during the late 1930s for Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and supporters of his policy of "appeasement" toward Adolf Hitler. The Hidden Hever Tour is only available for groups up to 15 people. 8 must-visit castles with Tudor connections - HistoryExtra The Hever Castle Estate has a wealth of history; most recognisably it was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. It formed the unlikely backdrop to a sequence of tumultuous events that changed the course of Britain's history, monarchy and religion. With a diverse menu of hot food, sandwiches and cake, there is something for everyone. It began as a country house, built in the 13th century. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Anne Boleyn, the second queen consort of King Henry VIII of England, spent her early youth there after her father, Thomas Boleyn, inherited it in 1505. Today the Estate has something for everyone. She Was Very Talented There is no need to book a hotel when you can stay within the grounds that Anne Boleyn herself once called home. Hever Castle's gardens look like they were established hundreds of years ago but most were created by Astor and his gardeners, Joseph Cheal and Son, over the four or five year period during which he restored the estate. We state on our website that tickets are required for entry, but that once within the grounds the snowdrop trail and other activities in the gardens are included in the admission price (unless otherwise advertised). Once inside the castle, you can't overtake people who take a long time to view certain rooms or items, and so you are often left standing in doorways as most rooms only accommodate two people at a time. The bedroom believed to have belonged to Boleyn may too be explored with her bed also on display as well as the room Henry VIII stayed in during their courtship. In later years the castle passed through many different hands before in 1903 it was acquired by American-British millionaire William Waldorf Astor, who restored it to its former glory and adopted it as a family residence. There have been three main periods in the construction of this historic castle. There was no pressure of time constraints and non-flash photography was allowed in all rooms, which is unusual for a building of this age. Subscribe Newsletter. He used some of that money to buy Hever Castle and, between 1903 and 1908, he indulged his interest in history in restoring and refurbishing the castle, creating its various gardens, and building its lake. Cruise Terminal to London with stopover at Hever Castle, Canterbury Cathedral Hever Castle and Dover Castle Private Tour, A winter adventure to the World's most Haunted Village & Haunted Castle, Coronation celebration at English Castles and Gardens. Those with access needs are encouraged to read our accessibility guide before visiting; this clearly details areas with inclines so that they might plan their visit in advance. Are you trying to find the best British castles to capture with your camera? An Adventure day at Barracudas Activity Camp! What restaurants are near Hever Castle & Gardens? The fact file includes information about the history of the building as it changes over the centuries, who lived there and a brief part about the castle today. Ghost of Anne Boleyn at Hever Castle. The original medieval defensive castle, with its gatehouse and walled bailey, was built in 1383. It is not known if Anne was born at Hever (the year of her birth is not certain), but she lived there until she was sent to the Netherlands in 1513 to receive an education at the court of the Archduchess Margaret. The outdoor barbecue was very nice and there was ample picnic spaces throughout the grounds. It is signposted from Junctions 5 and 6 of the M25 or junction 10 of the M23. Spend time enjoying a walk in the stunning grounds with statues and a variety of ornamental gardens, making it an ideal day out for horticultural lovers. At intervals, the stones tilt and hidden water jets spurt out streams of water to soak the unwitting visitor. You should have no problems. "Most Haunted" Hever Castle (TV Episode 2007) - IMDb 9. Enjoy Easter Family Fun at Hever Castle, Kent - Easter Egg Hunts and I just recently read that there's no air conditioning in this wing. What hotels are near Hever Castle & Gardens? Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Hever Castle is really well known for its jousting events and theyre very popular. Tickets - Hever Castle An open air venue set in the gardens of Hever Castle presenting a wide selection of shows. We love Hever, and our last visit was in Feb in the midst of storms and we had to call first to check it was open - which tells you how the whole of 2020 has been challenging for this industry. There is also a museum of the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The maze is comprised of stepping stone walkways sitting over a peaceful pool of water. Trains run from London Victoria and London Bridge (via Oxted or East Croydon) to Edenbridge Town Station. Taxis are available from Edenbridge Town station, one stop closer to London, but should be booked in advance. In 1983, the Astor family sold the castle to Broadland Properties Limited, which is run by the Guthrie family. Ferne Arfin is a freelance travel writer who covers the U.K. and Greece for TripSavvy. Visit just 3 times to start saving. The gatehouse was built in 1270 and is the oldest part of the castle. From educational trails around the magnificent gardens to playgrounds and wildlife-spotting, Hever Castle is a fun and educational day out for you and your family, all a short drive away from the M25. Enjoy your stay as it is amazing there. He then gave it to his fourth ex-wife, Anne of Cleves, as part of their separation settlement. He commissioned the Tudor Village, now called the Astor Wing and the construction of the magnificent gardens and lake. Visiting Anne Boleyn's Hever Castle, The Complete Guide I was worried about taking Archie (aged 3) into the castle - I wasn't sure they'd be impressed with a little one running around but the staff were very friendly. For more fun family castles to visit there are plenty to choose from in Dorset! Private guided tours can also be booked in advance. Broadlands are committed to the future of the Castle. Hever Castle: Facts and Information - Primary Facts Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Sir Geoffrey's grandson, Thomas, was born in 1477 and in 1498, he married the daughter of the Duke of Norfolk, Elizabeth Howard. google_ad_width = 728; Thank you for taking the time to feedback on your experience. Castles did not have toilets, instead people sat on wooden seats called 'garderobes'. After spending time at the court of France and Anne returned to England and lived at Hever until she became a Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Catherine of Aragon, the wife of Henry VIII. The one cafe actually open, the Moat Cafe, was very busy with long queues and no tables free so we decided to eat later off site. more, Points of Interest & Landmarks Castles History Museums. Hever Castle - Wikipedia The castle gardens contain a wide range of features, including an Italianate garden (including Fernery), rose gardens, herb garden, and topiary. You can easily spend a whole afternoon just in the play areas- we spent the morning in the castle and maze and then the afternoon in the playground! There are approximately 115,000 snowdrops across the estate, the locations being marked on a map you would have received on arrival. Is there at least air circulation? Hever Castle & Gardens England is the childhood home of Anne Boleyn the second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I. There are fun shaped topiary on the lead up to the castle the kids loved to guess what shapes had been created! The feature rooms have to be booked six months or more in advance but are relatively moderately priced for the quality of the attraction. Hever Castle ( / hivr / HEE-vr) is located in the village of Hever, Kent, near Edenbridge, 30 miles (48 km) south-east of London, England. It is not known if Anne was born at Hever (the year of her birth is not certain), but she lived there until she was sent to the Netherlands in 1513 to receive an education at the court of the Archduchess Margaret. The first phase of building at Hever was in about 1270, and the design of the castle reflects the defensive architecture of that time. There is no added cost to you as a consumer. Lots to do for the whole family and great place for children to discover English history. Heres what you need to know to plan your day trip to Hever Castle with Kids. Nestled in the Kent countryside, Hever Castle is a relatively small fixture in the rural landscape. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Visit just 3 times to start saving.