Celebrate spring by helping the Easter Bunny find their sweet treats as part of an Easter egg hunt around the grounds. The original medieval defensive castle with its gatehouse and walled bailey was built in 1270. Find out more about the biomass woodchip boiler and ecologically sound sewage systems that are in place. Amazon specifically requests I tell you this: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 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. We have kids aged 11, 9, 6 and 3 so sometimes its hard to find a play area which they all enjoy. The castle passed to him upon the death of his father, Sir William Boleyn. The castle was used as the location for a music video by Libera in 2006. It is extremely misleading. That was the only down side for me but I do realise that the staff were just following regulations and at all times were friendly and courteous, apologising non-stop for the long delays. Uncover more about the 12 different families that have owned Hever Castle from 1383 to the present day. X. Ive reserved a room in the Anne Boleyn wing but wondering if the Astor Wing is inside the actual castle and would be better? Hever Castle - Tudor History "Most Haunted" Hever Castle (TV Episode 2007) - IMDb He bestowed it upon Anne of Cleves in 1540 as part of the settlement following the annulment of their marriage. . Learn how your comment data is processed. I suggest you email the website to see if you can enter with larger bags.However as there are some steep stone staircases I think it would be totally impracticable to take anything but a small bag with you. Is there at least air circulation? Henry was just not attracted to her. The castle offers three floors containing antique furniture, Anne Boleyn's prayer books, instruments of torture, and a large collection of Tudor paintings. 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. Got off at Hever Station ( Trains run every hour back to London ) and walked across paths and grass, Look out for the signs for the castle, Which took about 20mins, I pre paid on line for my adult ticket (18.25 Concession cos I was over 60) Ticket price April 2023.. Great visit as always, but manage your expectations. It began as a country house, built in the 13th century. Tickets for the The Garden History Tour is also 17.00 each. Set in the Garden of England, it is the ultimate place to visit with historical beauty, and events going on all year round. Within the shop we sell a wide range of award winning bespoke items with Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII and Hever Castle images, these appeal to many visitors who would like a memento of their visit. 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! They built the Tudor family home within its outer walls. A separate self-catering cottage that sleeps eight can be rented as well. The only slight thing is the price of the food but they are aware of that and encourage you to bring your own picnic so I'd definitely recommend doing that instead of paying nearly 20 for a drink, a couple of sausage rolls and a cupcake! Get in touch to book your stay +44 (0)1732 861800. When his father, John Jacob Astor III, died in 1890, he became the richest man in American. Your email address will not be published. No matter what time of year you visit you are guaranteed a breath-taking display. Hever Castle Facts for Kids - Kiddle Hever Castle has a great set of play areas well kitted out for kids of all ages. There have been three main periods in the construction of this historic castle. The Water Maze is a conundrum with a difference! Hever Castle in Kent intrigued the kids the most because theyve heard of Henry VIII and his infamous wives! Take a taxi from the station for three miles to the castle. Great Castles - Ghost of Anne Boleyn at Hever Castle Towering cathedrals, ancient Roman wall art, huge wartime forts and Charles Darwin's house are just a few of the historic attractions that Kent has to offer. What restaurants are near Hever Castle & Gardens? Coupled with some amazing play areas for kids of all ages its a brilliant day out for families. 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 castle gardens contain a wide range of features, including an Italianate garden (including Fernery), rose gardens, herb garden, and topiary. One of the most amazing facts about Dover Castle is that Henry II spent virtually all of his money on the renovations. Hiya, Take in the stunning sights of the grounds of Hever Castle and munch on a slice of pizza while youre at it. Totally delightful! $$ - $$$ British Pub Vegetarian Friendly. Soak in the beauty and serenity of the peaceful lake that is situated within 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. For a private guided tour across the castle and garden, a single ticket is 30.90. We struggled to find any. Hello, Comprehensive information on the history of Hever Castle can be found in the guide book and audio tours are available from the Hever Shop, Visitor Centre or castle entrance. The rooms are very airy and as so quiet windows can be kept open too. At other times of year, the house and gardens are open Wednesday through Sunday. 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. 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. Hever Castle & Gardens is the perfect setting for enjoying time alone, with family or friends. Check the website to see when jousting is available. [4], The property came into the possession of Henry VIII after the death of Anne's father, Thomas Boleyn, in 1539. She was the lucky one. Food aside, it's an amazing day out and I highly recommend it! It is about 48 km south east of London and has been open to the public since 1983. 17 Historic Facts About Dover Castle | The Ultimate LIst We endeavour to ensure an enjoyable, engaging and memorable experience for all in a beautiful, fun and safe environment. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Astor's heirs continued to use Hever as one of their family homes until the 1970s when it was sold to a Yorkshire family who maintains it as part of their private property group. Absolutely fab experience! Kids are little for such a small amount of time..were here to help you create their wildhood full of magical outdoor adventures. There is no added cost to you as a consumer. Ghost of Anne Boleyn at Hever Castle. Whether if youre wanting to treat yourself to a quick cup of Joe or a full-fledged meal, the Moat Restaurant is the best place to dine and drink with all the family in tow. 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. Hever Castle was built in the 13th century as country house belonging to James Fiennes, 1st Baron Say and Sele, and first consisted of a large Hall and a number of surrounding outbuildings. The castle was used as the location for a music video by Libera in 2006. The castle has also become the venue for a triathlon and open water swimming. 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. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. 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Hever was built as a small fortified castle in around 1270. 10 Most Beautiful Castles in New York State, Top 18 Things to Do in the Midlands of England, Stay Cheaper By Staying Close to - Not in - London, Every UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK, Anne Hathaway's Cottage - The Complete Guide to Shakespeare in Love, 48 Hours in Stratford upon Avon - A Pictorial Guide, Top 20 Most Popular UK Cities for International Visitors. During our visit we noticed several family friendly/children activities taking place, such as archery and children's 'slaying the dragon'. Here are some facts about Hever Castle. Join our Adventure: Get all ourtips for kids outdoor activities and grab your FREE nature scavenger hunt! It began as a country house, built in the 13th century. Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the 2nd wife of Henry VII. +44 (0)1732 865224 It was Henrys love for Anne and her insistence that she became his wife rather than his mistress that led to the King splitting from the Church in Rome and creating the Church of England, forever altering the course of English and European history. The grounds of the castle include a yew maze, planted in 1904. In 1983, the Astor family sold the castle to John Guthrie (1906-1992), chairman of the family-run business, Broadland Properties Limited. When Anne's father, Thomas Boleyn, died in 1539, the house reverted to the CrownHenry VIII. It is a very special place. There is also a museum of the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry. Parking at the site is free. Tickets for the gardens are 17.15 if booked in advance or 19.05 if purchased on the day. Thank you for taking the time to feedback on your experience. Day tickets can be purchased on admission or online. But! The ground open at 10:30 a.m. and the castle opens at noon. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. 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. Hever Castle (/hivr/ HEE-vr) is located in the village of Hever, Kent, near Edenbridge, 30 miles (48km) south-east of London, England. 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. Any serving members, veterans and their families of the Armed Forces may be able to receive special discounts at certain times throughout the year. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. [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. The gardens are for some family fun in a place teeming with history, much like Warwick Castle. The Hever Castle Estate has a wealth of history; most recognisably it was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Visit it today to explore its early medieval keep, its Tudor rooms, and its 125 acres of exquisite gardens. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. We felt it was a bit of a missed opportunity, especially given that the tickets cost 50 for the two of us! This place is bursting with vibes, memories and secrets untold. Thank you for taking the time to feedback on your experience. In 1903, it was acquired and restored by the American millionaire William Waldorf Astor, who used it as a family residence. Touristsecrets.com uses cookies to improve your experience and to show you personalized ads. Hever Castle & Gardens England is the childhood home of Anne Boleyn the second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I. Its also a great time to visit the water maze. Hever hosts a number of special events throughout the season including gardening events with the head gardener and his team. 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. Hever Castle is every child's imaginary castle complete with a moat. Bullen came from Norfolk and began his career as an apprentice mercer. For visitors travelling by car, the castles postcode is TN8 7NG.