Explore different ways to experience this place. The Bullen family added to the castle, building the apartments inside the fortified walls. Castles did not have toilets, instead people sat on wooden seats called 'garderobes'. The castle has also become the venue for a triathlon and open water swimming. What restaurants are near Hever Castle & Gardens? 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. Thomas Boleyn and his wife Lady Elizabeth Howard raised their three children George, Mary, and Anne Boleyn at Hever Castle all three of whom would grow to become central figures of the Tudor court. Attractions at Hever Castle & Gardens 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 castle has two of Anne Boleyns prayer books, or Books of Hours. The gift shop was also kept in immaculate condition. During the 14th and 16th centuries, the Boleyn family-owned Hever. This is with the exception of 24th December and 27th December to the 1st January, where doors close at 15:00 and last exit at 16:30. /* horizontal */ Winter is here! Hever Castle has a great set of play areas well kitted out for kids of all ages. You'd think (wouldn't you?) 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. The third period of repair and renovation was in the 20th century, when it was acquired by William Waldorf Astor. It later came into the possession of King Henry VIII's fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. all set within the stone structures. After Anne's "affair" with Henry Percy, she was sent from Court to once again take up residence at Hever. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. You can hire arowingboator pedalo for thelake during some summer monthsand the whole area feels simply magical and special. Get in touch to book a tee time or find out more about membership +44 (0)1732 700771. The rooms are very airy and as so quiet windows can be kept open too. Henry VIII often used the nearby Bolebroke Castle to conduct his courtship with Anne. The room, grounds and staff were first class and my wife and I really enjoyed our short stay. Hever was built as a small fortified castle in around 1270. Some believe that Anne was born at Hever, perhaps in 1501, although the evidence for this is sketchy at best. top ten best things to do in South East London with kids! Day tickets can be purchased on admission or online. John Guthrie, a chartered surveyor by training, chairs the private property group Broadland Properties founded in 1950. On a sunny day the water maze is massively popular, but we had it all to ourselves, which was brilliant! X. The grounds of the castle include a yew maze, planted in 1904. Hever Castle: Facts and Information - Primary Facts He added the Italian Garden to display his collection of statuary and ornaments. It formed the unlikely backdrop to a sequence of tumultuous events that changed the course of Britain's history, monarchy and religion. A number of rooms may be explored throughout Hever Castle that each represent the elegance of the Tudor era and the wealth of its past inhabitants. We visited on 10th February after seeing the promotion for the 'free snowdrop self guided walk' on the official website. Although it is called a castle it is more like a large stately home and the rooms are beautifully furnished and you can easily imagine the Boleyn family living here all those years ago. Your email address will not be published. Today the Estate has something for everyone. Hever Castle & Gardens - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Hever Castle is located within grounds that are not only rich in history, but also a gorgeous spectacle to admire and appreciate. Thank you for taking the time to feedback on your experience. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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.. Spectacular aerial footage of Hever Castle - watch the video There is an annual events programme with assorted events, including jousting tournaments and archery displays in the summer months and an annual patchwork and quilting exhibition in September. How much is it to get in to gardens but not castle? Continue with Recommended Cookies. Hever is 30 miles southeast of London, 3 miles southeast of the village of Edenbridge. Cant take dog in the castle sadly but gardens are fine. Hever Castle in Kent intrigued the kids the most because theyve heard of Henry VIII and his infamous wives! Our hard work has been recognised by various organisations so we wanted to share the good news with you. Hever Castle Facts for Kids - Kiddle At one point the King noticed Anne herself, and began to visit her at Hever. Just over ninety years later, in 1383, the then owner, Sir John Cobham, received a further licence to . 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. Lovely gardens and the roses were spectacular. Food aside, it's an amazing day out and I highly recommend it! Ferne Arfin is a freelance travel writer who covers the U.K. and Greece for TripSavvy. People also hung their clothes in the garderobes as the foul smell kept the moths away. Hever Castle is a proper English Castle with a moat drawbridge, pillars, stone walls, and huge topiary guarding the entrance. If you happen to be a collector of military knowledge, then the KSY Military Museum is an opportunity not to be missed. A range of classes and treatments are available to members and visitors at the Golf Club. [15], The remains of the original country house timbers can still be seen within the stone walls of the fortification, while the gatehouse is the only original part of the castle. 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. It is a very special place. With Yvette Fielding, David Wells, Johnnie Fiori, Ciarn O'Keeffe. Celebrate spring by helping the Easter Bunny find their sweet treats as part of an Easter egg hunt around the grounds. You should have no problems. 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 Loggia on the lake was used as the location for a peace conference in the comedy-drama The Great. Ghost of Anne Boleyn at Hever Castle. Visitors can explore the magnificent gardens for all seasons which include Italian, Rose and Tudor gardens, topiary, yew maze and splashing water maze, or take a stroll around the informal areas of Sunday Walk and Anne Boleyn's Walk. Very disappointing! It later came into the possession of King Henry VIII's fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. See 987 traveller reviews, 1,417 candid photos, and great deals for Hever Castle Bed and Breakfast, ranked #1 of 3 B&Bs / inns in Hever and rated 5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Splash about the water maze to be found deep within the grounds of Hever Castle. No matter what time of year you visit you are guaranteed a breath-taking display. Tripadvisor gives a Travelers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. . [11] The Loggia on the lake was used as the location for a peace conference in the comedy-drama The Great. The museum provides visitors with the opportunity to learn interesting facts and acquire detailed knowledge about the Tudor era, Anne Boleyn and her relationship with Henry VIII. [5], 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. This years unprecedented heatwave has identified the need for air conditioning in public spaces however we are not permitted to install units in all buildings within the grounds, notably the castle itself. 9 Games you can play with your kids while Camping. Day tickets can be purchased on admission or online. For more fun family castles to visit there are plenty to choose from in Dorset! The gardens are for some family fun in a place teeming with history, much like Warwick Castle. 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 response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC. This diverse offering and the independent ownership of the Castle make Hever a truly unique place to visit, stay, work and experience. The castle is now open to the public as a tourist attraction. Bring over 600 years of Hever Castle history to life with private guided tours, guide books and enjoyable trails to follow with young visitors. The ground open at 10:30 a.m. and the castle opens at noon. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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). If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The nearest train station is Hever, a one-mile walk down country lanes and cross country paths. 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. Kind Regards document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Multisport Event Kent | Hever Castle | Castle Race Series 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. Hi there, Hever Castle & Gardens is privately owned and not part of the National Trust. According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Hever Castle & Gardens: 100% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. Hever Castle's tulip event may be over, but there are still a number of gorgeous tulips in bloom in the garden. 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. Part of their courtship is thought to have taken place Hever, with the king often staying at the castle itself and at the nearby Penshurst Place. By clicking ACCEPT ALL, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. +44 (0)1732 865224 Day out in Kent at Hever Castle & Gardens . This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. 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. 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. This informative Hever Castle fact file is great to use with KS2 as a quick guide to this interesting building. Hever hosts a number of special events throughout the season including gardening events with the head gardener and his team. "Most Haunted" Hever Castle (TV Episode 2007) - IMDb - it's like something out of a fairy tale! 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. Perfect For The Kids In the 15th and 16th centuries the Boleyn family added the Tudor dwelling within the walls. The gardens and lake were beautiful and boat trips and boat hire were available, although we did not participate in either. //-->. www.hevercastle.co.uk It would be like buying a ticket to a concert to see a band plus support and only when you got to your seat would you find out the main attraction weren't performing and only the support were on all evening. Thank you for taking the time to feedback on your visit, we are so glad to hear how you enjoyed the Castle & Gardens and we hope to see you again soon! The 13th-century childhood home of Anne Boleyn is back in business and packed full of family fun. 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. Hever Castle (@hevercastle) / Twitter This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. As one of only a few traditionally designed mazes in the United Kingdom, the Yew Maze is certainly a feature that one has to experience when visiting Hever Castle. All in all, very disappointing and we certainly wont be going back again next year. Tickets for the gardens are 17.15 if booked in advance or 19.05 if purchased on the day. Henry VIII often used the nearby Bolebroke Castle to conduct his courtship with Anne. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 17 Historic Facts About Dover Castle | The Ultimate LIst . You can row boats on the 38 acre lake, wander through yew and water mazes, sniff roses, or try your hand at archery. 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. Find out more about the biomass woodchip boiler and ecologically sound sewage systems that are in place. Heres where to dine out when nothing else but a show-stopping historical setting will suffice. He commissioned the Tudor Village, now called the Astor Wing and the construction of the magnificent gardens and lake. I feel privileged to say I got married here. Join our Adventure: Get all ourtips for kids outdoor activities and grab your FREE nature scavenger hunt! 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. Then there is Tudor Towers which is aimed at children aged 7-14. In 1983, the Astor family sold the castle to John Guthrie (1906-1992), chairman of the family-run business, Broadland Properties Limited. Is there anywhere to leave bags there? There's more than enough to do at Hever Castle, both inside and out, to fill at least a day and maybe more. With a diverse menu of hot food, sandwiches and cake, there is something for everyone. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. This informative Hever Castle fact file is great to use with KS2 as a quick guide to this interesting building. Would highly recommend Hever Castle to anybody interested in English history and in particular, the story of the Boleyns. It was then owned by James Fiennes, 1st Baron Saye and Sele. Joe, No - You would still have to pass all of the ticket booths as the castle is in the middle of the grounds. Is there at least air circulation? Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. It began as a country house, built in the 13th century. Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the intriguing second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. And if not does anyone know if there are restrictions on bag sizes in the castle? 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. The gift shop had a good selection of souvenirs with a price range to suit all budgets. The Castle was to become the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIIIs second wife, who became Queen of England for just 1,000 days. St. George's Chapel at Windsor: The Complete Guide, Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Lots to do for the whole family and great place for children to discover English history. Do you need to book in advance to visit Hever Castle & Gardens? The Italian rose garden has to be one of the highlights of Hever Castle. Get in touch to book a tee time or find out more about membership +44 (0)1732 700771. The original medieval defensive castle, with its gatehouse and walled bailey, was built in 1383. Located on the grounds of Hever Castle, visitors can learn about the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry through interactive displays that allows the stories of soldiers from 1794 to the present day truly come to life. Take in the stunning sights of the grounds of Hever Castle and munch on a slice of pizza while youre at it. Comprehensive information on the history of Hever Castle can be found in . The grounds of Hever Castle open from 10:30am and the castle itself opens at 12:00 noon. We will send you the latest TV programmes, podcast episodes and articles, as well as exclusive offers from our shop and carefully selected partners. There are four separate categories of ticket types when visiting Hever Castle. Hever Castle is a very interesting and historic castle and is a great place to visit for everyone. There are over 4000 types of roses (who knew there were that many?!) Thank you for your feedback Katie. [16] The grounds of the castle include a yew maze, planted in 1904. There are also an adventure playground and water maze on the grounds. [1] You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. It began as a country house, built in the 13th century. It really was the day of my dreams! Enjoy the other reason why Hever Castle is so popular: the golfing! From 1462 to 1539, it was the seat of the Boleyn (originally 'Bullen') family.[1]. The grand castle is saturated in rich history and its stories and secrets permeate throughout its walls. Hever Castle still has on display one of the personal locks that Henry took with him on visits to homes. Very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. From 1462 to 1539, it was the seat of the Boleyn (originally 'Bullen') family. The castle, never fully completed because of Buckingham's early demise, gradually fell into ruin, before its restoration in the 20th century and reopening as a luxury hotel. Get in touch to book your stay +44 (0)1732 861800. Bullen came from Norfolk and began his career as an apprentice mercer. For part of our 12 Family Adventures, we decided to visit a castle as it seems a very Englishy thing to do!! The high standard of facilities available in such a magnificent setting will be hard to find elsewhere. Although we did not have children with us we did notice a play castle for children in the grounds. Indeed, we were proud to offer our visitors 3 kilometres of lighting on site, our Festive Forest Trail (a unique concept that was written, illustrated, designed and handmade by our Design Manager), character actors, owl encounters, huskie encounters and Castle as part of their entry ticket with no additional charge for parking. Throughout the weekend, athletes and spectators will be able to enjoy the award winning gardens and a fun-packed festival village . The remains of the original country house timbers can still be seen within the stone walls of the fortification, while the gatehouse is the only original part of the castle. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Top ways to experience Hever Castle & Gardens, Private Day Tour to Historic Hever Castle from London, Full-Day Tudor Tour to Hampton Court Palace and Hever Castle from London, Dover Shore Excursion. Hever Castle - Tudor History Nestled in the Kent countryside, Hever Castle is a relatively small fixture in the rural landscape. A range of classes and treatments are available to members and visitors at the Golf Club. Set in the Garden of England, it is the ultimate place to visit with historical beauty, and events going on all year round. Hever Castle Reopens: Visiting With Families | Kidadl We felt it was a bit of a missed opportunity, especially given that the tickets cost 50 for the two of us! 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. I will remember my trip to Hever forever. What next?