No matter what time of year you visit you are guaranteed a breath-taking display. The nearest train station is Hever, a one-mile walk down country lanes and cross country paths. Broadland Properties, who purchased Hever Castle and its collection from the Astor family in 1983, are helping to make the Hever Castle Estate more environmentally friendly. Although we did not have children with us we did notice a play castle for children in the grounds. Days out London Hever Castle England - MelbTravel He and Anne initially enjoyed a loving relationship, however after around 1,000 days as queen she fell from favour and was beheaded in 1536. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Hever Castle's tulip event may be over, but there are still a number of gorgeous tulips in bloom in the garden. For a private guided tour across the castle and garden, a single ticket is 30.90. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The original medieval defensive castle with its gatehouse and walled bailey was built in 1270. 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. Annual Membership provides unlimited admission for 12 months from the date of issue. Visit it today to explore its early medieval keep, its Tudor rooms, and its 125 acres of exquisite gardens. A luxurious four bedroom five star gold rated property, forming part of the Astor Wing and accommodating up to 8 guests. I just recently read that there's no air conditioning in this wing. The property came into the possession of Henry VIII after the death of Anne's father, Thomas Boleyn, in 1539. The Guthries, a Yorkshire family based in Scarborough are the current owners of the Hever Castle Estate. Hever Castle (/hivr/ HEE-vr) is located in the village of Hever, Kent, near Edenbridge, 30 miles (48km) south-east of London, England. Sir Ernest Shackleton: Facts and Information, Christmas in Australia: Facts About Australian Christmas Traditions, What is Photorealism? The grounds are kept in pristine condition with lake, fountains and the imposing backdrop of the Castle itself. During the Christmas season (23rd November to 23rd December), doors close at 16:30 with the last exit scheduled to take place approximately at 18:00. The first phase of building at Hever was in about 1270, and the design of the castle reflects the defensive architecture of that time. The gardens are massive, with multiple lawns, mazes, themed gardens and even a lake. Although there was a queueing system in place, you could easily stay and view each room at leisure. There is no need to book a hotel when you can stay within the grounds that Anne Boleyn herself once called home. The gift shop had a good selection of souvenirs with a price range to suit all budgets. For garden it was Around 14.00 for adult & 9.00 for child. The castle was used as the location for a music video by Libera in 2006. The True Tale of Wales Legendary Hay Castle, 8 Formidable Fighters of the Hellenistic Period, Operation Unthinkable: Churchills Postwar Contingency Plan, The Pirates Code: Laws and Life Aboard Ship, How the Island of Rhodes Overcame a Superpower, Historical Trips - Book your next historical adventure, 10 Must-See Medieval Landmarks in England, Join Dan Snow for the Anniversary of the D-Day Landings, Lost Literature: Why Most English Texts Didnt Survive the Middle Ages, The Legacy of Hal 9000: How Science Fiction Depictions of AI Have Changed Over Time. One of my most favourite places in England.Hever is just beautiful. From 1462 to 1539, it was the seat of the Boleyn (originally 'Bullen') family.[1]. The oldest part of the castle is the outer fortified wall and the massive gatehouse. The eighty-foot by eighty-foot puzzle provides huge amounts of entertainment and fun to all visitors, young and old. What next? Parking at the site is free. The lights they did have were quite spread around the gardens and lake and were somewhat disappointing. Well run attraction in the Kent countryside. Spectacular aerial footage of Hever Castle - watch the video [13][14] The castle offers three floors containing antique furniture, Anne Boleyn's prayer books, instruments of torture, and a large collection of Tudor paintings. It began as a country house, built in the 13th century. In the 15th century, Geoffrey Bullen, great grandfather of Anne Boleyn, acquired Hever. It was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and one of the homes Anne of Cleaves was given after her divorce. The service you offer is exemplary, and we cant wait to return to your wonderful establishment. The castle is well pitched for kids, its a great historical day out there are lots of armour and dungeon props to keep little people fascinated but the older kids enjoyed it too as there are interesting personal letters to read from Henry VIII and good facts about what living there would have been like. [3], Geoffrey Boleyn's grandson, Thomas Boleyn, inherited the castle in 1505. And the entrance fee is very reasonable for an entire day out. HEVER CASTLE BED AND BREAKFAST - Updated 2023 Reviews - Tripadvisor 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.'. Splash about the water maze to be found deep within the grounds of Hever Castle. The restaurants are also fantastic and have some great vegetarian options. Hever later passed into the ownership of another of Henry VIIIs wives, Anne of Cleves, and from 1557 onwards it was owned by a number of families including the Waldegraves, the Humphreys and the Meade Waldos. Astor also planted the castles famous maze, one of only a few traditionally designed in the UK. Totally delightful! Hiya, Hello~ I've reserved 2 nights in the Astor Wing for late July. He added a Tudor dwelling within the walls. So it was 40 for a stroll round a park. There is also a museum of the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry. You could spend an entire day on the grounds alone. The third period of repair and renovation was in the 20th century, when it was acquired by William Waldorf Astor. The castle has also become the venue for a triathlon and open water swimming. 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. The nearest train station is Hever Station, a 20-minute rural walk to the site, while a 10-minute taxi may also be taken from Edenbridge Town Station. Coupled with some amazing play areas for kids of all ages its a brilliant day out for families. However, due to no taxi facilities at the station, it is a one-mile rural walk to the castle with guided signposts directing the route. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. We were sorry to hear that you were disappointed by your visit. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". www.hevercastle.co.uk the King Henry VIII pub is literally just across from the entrance to Hever Castle. - it's like something out of a fairy tale! Get in touch to book your stay +44 (0)1732 861800. . The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". About Hever Castle Dating back to the 14th century, Hever Castle was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and Mother of Elizabeth I. there are unfortunately no rooms in the castle my wife and i stayed once but our second booking was cancelled due to the virusyou wont be disappointed a fantastic place we are going again asap, Yes, I believe that Hever Castle is dog friendly, Does anyone know if I can stand outside the front of the castle and take a picture whilst the site is closed? Anne owned the Castle until her death in 1557. Castle Fast Facts | Squizzes We recommend booking Hever Castle & Gardens tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Soak in the beauty and serenity of the peaceful lake that is situated within Hever Castle. Hever Castle still has on display one of the personal locks that Henry took with him on visits to homes. 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. Disclosure: If you happen to make a purchase after clicking though any links from Thimble and Twig, I will receive a small commission. Among the highlights: Besides the castle attractions, Hever has a 28-room luxury bed and breakfast inn within the Tudor style village and an Edwardian wing added by William Waldorf Astor. We were sorry to hear you were disappointed by your visit. !and it really was! . 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. Bring over 600 years of Hever Castle history to life with private guided tours, guide books and enjoyable trails to follow with young visitors. If you happen to be a collector of military knowledge, then the KSY Military Museum is an opportunity not to be missed. DIY Childrens Room Door Letters: Craft Challenge #1. However, the kids did get very wet as they had so much fun going in and out of the fountains so make sure you pack waterproofs or a spare change of clothes for a family day trip. Multisport Event Kent | Hever Castle | Castle Race Series This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Throughout the weekend, athletes and spectators will be able to enjoy the award winning gardens and a fun-packed festival village . The second period was when the castle, then in need of repair, was converted into a manor in 1462 by Geoffrey Boleyn, younger brother of Thomas Boleyn, Master of Gonville Hall, Cambridge. Touristsecrets.com uses cookies to improve your experience and to show you personalized ads. There is no added cost to you as a consumer. he must have liked the location so much that he spent 6,500 on it for the duration of 9 years between 1179 and 1188, which was most of his income! Today our mission is to conserve and improve the Hever Castle Estate whilst maintaining its integrity, and making its important history available to inform and educate our visitors. We had been so looking forward to this. But she was so witty and amusing that they remained friends. The Boleyns transformed it into a stunning Tudor residence and when in 1505 Thomas Boleyn inherited Hever, he further added to its splendour. Staying here for bed and breakfast is a charming and immersive historical experience. It's said he brought $100 million (almost $27 billion today) with him when he settled in England. Hever Castle: Directed by Karl Beattie. The property subsequently passed through various owners, including the Waldegrave family from 1557 to 1715, the Humfreys family to 1749 and the Meade-Waldo family from 1749 to 1903. The third period of repair and renovation was in the 20th century, when it was acquired by William Waldorf Astor. Learn how your comment data is processed. +44 (0)1732 865224 Also the beds were so comfortable it was like sleeping on a soft pillow. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. And given that by, the time they married, he was obese and gouty with a festeringand probably smellyleg ulcer, she perhaps wasn't enchanted with him either. It has the oldest working original portcullis in England. I'm trying to get my head round this. He lived there with his wife Lady Elizabeth Howard and their children George, Mary and Anne (the future wife of Henry VIII). This page was last modified on 25 April 2023, at 23:22. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Your email address will not be published. Hever Castle Fact File (Teacher-Made) - Twinkl The room, grounds and staff were first class and my wife and I really enjoyed our short stay. Hever Castle, 30 miles southeast of London, was the home of two of Henry VIII's queensone tragic and one luckyand the pet project and home of America's richest man in the late 19th century. Hever Castle still has one of Henry VIII's private locks, taken with him on his various visits to noblemen's houses and fitted to every door for his security. She currently lives in London. The 13th-century childhood home of Anne Boleyn is back in business and packed full of family fun. 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.Children will be able to conduct their own research after reading this fact file, including finding out more about what they . We booked on the Easter weekend so I felt nervous of how busy it was!! Hever Castle: Facts and Information - Primary Facts In the latter half of the 15th century, the castle was bought, along with Blickling Hall (in Norfolk) by Geoffrey Bullen. We also got a childrens audio guide for the kids to listen to as they walked around the castle- something Ive not done before but they loved it! Are you passionate, hardworking and social? Eventually, he had acquired a large personal fortune, became Lord Mayor of London and was knighted. With a choice of four function spaces each venue has its own unique character and all areas are available for corporate and private events. In the 15 th and 16 th 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. Annual Membership provides unlimited admission for 12 months from the date of issue. During the next few centuries, Hever Castle passed through several owners. To help our visitors with accessible needs enjoy a more memorable experience, we ask that they/you pay the normal entry fee and admit their/your carer free of charge on a 1:1 ratio. The rooms are very airy and as so quiet windows can be kept open too. Hever castle have set up a great idea to listen to the audio guide while you queue for the castle which gives you the information before you enter so you know what youre looking at. Here are some facts about Hever Castle. The castle is very interesting, but it is the grounds that make the trip worthwhile. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. [4], The property came into the possession of Henry VIII after the death of Anne's father, Thomas Boleyn, in 1539. Hever Station is the next stop on the train route. Get in touch to book your stay +44 (0)1732 861800. Visit it today to explore its early medieval keep, its Tudor rooms, and its 125 acres of exquisite gardens. Multi-media tour guides can be rented near the entrance, and guidebooks are available for self-guided tours. This is what I call a castle surrounded with its splendid grounds loved hiring the headphones made its magic come alive knowing all the history cant wait to visit again. At one point the King noticed Anne herself, and began to visit her at Hever. In the 14th century Hever was further crenellated during which time the walls, towers, moat, and Great Hall were constructed, before in 1462 it came into the possession of the Boleyn family. It covers an area of almost 600 square metres, and has hedges up to 2.75 metres high. Other features include the 13th century Gatehouse that houses the oldest working portcullis in England, while a number of mazes are also scattered throughout the grounds including a yew maze, water maze, and tower maze. One of the most amazing facts about Dover Castle is that Henry II spent virtually all of his money on the renovations. Hever Castle is a proper English Castle with a moat drawbridge, pillars, stone walls, and huge topiary guarding the entrance. 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. In 1983, the Astor family sold the castle to Broadland Properties Limited, which is run by the Guthrie family. Hever Castle is really well known for its jousting events and theyre very popular. Hever Castle Hever Edenbridge Kent TN8 7NG Tel: +44 (0)1732 865224 Email: info@hevercastle.co.uk CONTACT US Discover more about the different ticket types available at Hever Castle & Gardens. Very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The castle was used as the location for a music video by Libera in 2006. The goal of the game is to get to the middle without getting wet. Hever Castle in Kent is a picturesque Tudor mansion famous for being the family home of Anne Boleyn, the ill-fated second wife of Henry VIII. It would be like saying Pay 20 to come and look at my back garden and I'll throw in an unlimited view of the sky and all the air you can breathe for free! all set within the stone structures. Hever hosts a number of special events throughout the season including gardening events with the head gardener and his team. Come and explore our top picks. Beautiful grounds, especially the Italian garden. 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. Ultimate Guide To Planning A Trip To Komodo National Park For First-Timer, Best Time to Visit Egypt: A Season-by-Season Guide, 16 National Parks in Alaska: A Complete Guide. Other productions that have filmed on the property include The Princess Bride and Inkheart. 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. We felt it was a bit of a missed opportunity, especially given that the tickets cost 50 for the two of us! The Road to the Crown - Elizabeth I's Coronation Procession, Built by a Giantess? Hever Castle & Gardens - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. For any history buffs with a specific interest in the Tudor period, Hever Castle is an inimitable opportunity to spectate and observe a different and more personal facet to the period. I will remember my trip to Hever forever. He also created a "Tudor village" beside the castle, parts of which are now a 28-room boutique hotel. I didn't notice any lockers before entering the castle. Today the Estate has something for everyone. It was then owned by James Fiennes, 1st Baron Saye and Sele. It has the oldest working original portcullis in England. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter with Transportation, Boutique Winery Experience in the Fredericksburg Texas Hill Country, Classic 3-Hour Food Tour in Colorado Springs, Evening Food Tour with Girl Power Riders in Ho Chi Minh City | Kiss Tours, See all 9 Hever Castle & Gardens tours on Tripadvisor, See all Hever Castle & Gardens experiences on Tripadvisor, View all hotels near Hever Castle & Gardens on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Hever Castle & Gardens on Tripadvisor, View all attractions near Hever Castle & Gardens on Tripadvisor. Since 1271, Hever Castle has stood proud within the tiny English village of Hever in Kent. The Meade Waldo family bought Hever Castle in 1749. There are various eatery options, from takeaway pizza, BBQ to a bookable restaurant. Chapter 2 : History of the Castle. 5 Best Mountain Biking Locations in Chicago, Illinois, 20 Best Cenotes in and near Tulum to Visit in 2022, 12 Abandoned Ghost Towns in Arizona You Can Explore, 10 Best Tandem Kayaks For Every Adventurer In 2020, 12 Best Travel Adapters and Converters for Every Traveler, 10 Toddler Travel Beds That Can Do Wonders To Any Parents & Kids. This year we launched snowdrop watch so that visitors can see how the gardens are progressing https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/news/snowdrop-watch/ in advance of organising their day out. What attractions are near Hever Castle & Gardens? Heres what you need to know to plan your day trip to Hever Castle with Kids. Ghost of Anne Boleyn at Hever Castle. As one of the best golf clubs in Kent and only one mile away from the castle entrance, The Hever Castle Golf Club offers a 27-hole golf course for all golf enthusiasts of all abilities. [11] The Loggia on the lake was used as the location for a peace conference in the comedy-drama The Great. Rent a canoe, rowing boat or pedalo from the Edwardian boathouse and glide serenely along the lake and take in the stunning views of the lake and its surroundings. Hotels near Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry Museum, The 10 Tastings of Singapore With Locals Private Street Food Tour, The Jungle Book Trip (The Sundorbon Forest of Bangladesh), 'Magic Phantom' Black Light Theater Show in Prague, African American Heritage Tour of Chicago with Soul Food Meal included, Gaucho Day Tour Don Silvano Estancia From Buenos Aires, Black and White Desert Tour 2 Days 1 Night, Warner Bros. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The castle has two of Anne Boleyns prayer books, or Books of Hours. Experience 700 years of history at the romantic double-moated 13th century castle once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and Mother of Elizabeth I. There's a beautiful lake that you can take a leisurely walk around too. Parking was a bit chaotic, as a previous review has mentioned, and the carpark itself was like an ice skating rink and had obviously not been gritted. Tickets - Hever Castle The castle is now open to the public as a tourist attraction. Hever Castle: All You Need To Know In 5 Minutes | TouristSecrets "Fiennes Family - Fiennes Family Owners of Hever Castle", "Hever Castle History, tourist information, and nearby accommodation", "History, Topiary, Beauty: Why You Should Visit Hever Castle", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hever_Castle&oldid=1152132569, Buildings and structures in Sevenoaks District, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 April 2023, at 12:07.