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. It formed the unlikely backdrop to a sequence of tumultuous events that changed the course of Britain’s history, monarchy and religion.
Its panelled rooms house fine furniture, tapestries, antiques and what is regarded by some as ‘one of the best collections of Tudor portraits after the National Portrait Gallery’. Also, two prayer books which belonged to Anne Boleyn and bear her inscriptions and signature are on display to visitors in the Castle.
Today, much of what you see is the result of the remarkable efforts of William Waldorf Astor, who used his fortune to restore and extend the Castle in the early 20th century. The Astor Suite is dedicated to its more recent history, showcasing pictures and memorabilia relating to the Astor family and the Edwardian period. Hever Castle is what every child wants a castle to be: crenellated, moated and haunted. The permanent exhibition in the Long Gallery depicts the saga from the Wars of the Roses to the Reformation through its art collection.
Audio guides are available.
About the Gardens
Discover magnificent award-winning gardens set in 125 acres of glorious grounds at Hever Castle. Marvel at the Pompeiian Wall and classical statuary in the Italian Garden; admire the giant topiary chess set and inhale the fragrance of over 5,000 rose bushes in the quintessential English Rose Garden.
The Loggia, overlooking the 38-acre lake, is the perfect spot to relax before exploring the many cascades, grottoes and fountains. A stroll through the Tudor Garden, Blue Corner or Rhododendron Walk, provide colour and interest throughout the year.
Wander further afield and enjoy Sunday Walk and Church Gill Walk that follow the course of a stream through peaceful woodland or Anne Boleyn’s Walk, with its impressive collection of trees planted more than 100 years ago.
Dazzling daffodils
With 80,000 daffodil bulbs set to bloom across Hever Castle’s gardens this spring, feel uplifted by the cheerfulness of this exquisite bloom which symbolises new beginnings.
Yew Maze
Enjoy the challenge of finding your way through the 100 year old Yew Maze. Hugely popular with visitors of all ages, it is situated next to the castle forecourt and measures eighty feet by eighty feet. It was built in the Edwardian era by William Waldorf Astor, who along with a number of other wealthy people created mazes for their own enjoyment. The hedges reach eight feet in height and there is almost a quarter of a mile of pathways inside to get lost in! It is one of only a few traditionally designed mazes in the country.
The maze is open all year round, subject to weather.
Miniature Model Houses
Discover the fabulous Miniature Model Houses, which can be accessed via the Hever Shop. This unique collection of 12th scale model houses, was commissioned by the current owners of Hever Castle, from the master English miniaturist furniture maker, John J. Hodgson.
The models are set in a permanent display and each house was designed to faithfully reflect architectural features and every aspect of the period. The models are set within a permanent 12th scale exhibition to illustrate the development of English country houses through the ages, from Tudor to Victorian times.
KSY Military Museum
Learn about the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry through interactive, imaginative displays that bring to life the stories of their soldiers from 1794 to the present day.
Learn more about the history of the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry Museum here.
Attractions in the museum include reconstructions of a World War I trench, with sound effects, and the interior of a World War II Cromwell tank turret. Four touch screens tell fascinating life stories of people who served in the regiment through the ages, with video clips and quizzes. Exhibits include original artefacts such as photographs, diaries, uniforms and equipment dating back to 1797, as well as guidons (flags), and medals. You can also research ancestors who may have served in the regiments.
For authenticity, the museum has been designed to resemble a military operations tent and has a Saladin armoured car and a 25lb field gun on site.
Mobility
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Access to/from the coach
We will need to cross the road from the coach park to reach the main entrance. There will be a golf buggy at available to help less mobile members of your group to navigate the drive. The golf buggy will stop outside the Moat Cafe and Gift Shop; unfortunately it cannot go any further into the grounds. From the drop off point the main paths in the gardens are flat. To catch the buggy back up the drive we can collect it from the information hut.
Inside the castle
From the Castle Forecourt, three small steps lead to the ground floor entrance. Inside, visitors can explore five rooms on this floor. To reach the first floor, there is a stone spiral staircase equipped with a handrail for support due to its steep incline. Ascending to the second floor, wide wooden steps provide access with ease. Exiting the Castle also involves descending a stone spiral staircase.
Unfortunately it is not possible for visitors to use motorised wheelchairs or mobility scooters inside the Courtyard or Castle due to the historic nature of the building and its contents. Manual wheelchairs are allowed on the ground floor of the Castle however from the drawbridge there is one step down to the Gatehouse followed by three steps down to the Courtyard. We regret that it is not possible to install a ramp for these steps for health and safety reasons. From the Courtyard there is one step up and down into the Castle’s Entrance Hall. Wheelchairs cannot be taken up staircases inside the Castle for health and safety reasons. More information about accessibility.
Walking in the grounds
Approximate distances for walking:
- From the main ticket huts to the information hut, shop and Moat Café 225 metres (golf buggy available for this distance if required)
- From the Information Hut to the Castle Forecourt 95 metres
- From the Castle Forecourt to the Lake 360 metres
These routes are all tarmac and most of the gardens can be reached by tarmac paths.
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Your bookings
Cost of the visit is £40 per HIU3A member
There are 53 bookable places.
Number awaiting payment: 2, confirmed bookings: 36, waiting list entries: 0.
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