hever castle fun facts

Hever Castle - Wikipedia These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Hever Castle & Gardens: 100% of travelers recommend this experience. The gatehouse was built in 1270 and is the oldest part of the castle. We endeavour to ensure an enjoyable, engaging and memorable experience for all in a beautiful, fun and safe environment. Thomas and Elizabeth had three children which survived childhood: George, Anne and Mary. Both Edwardian wings decorated in the traditional Tudor fashion, the rooms offer guests to enjoy a luxury overnight experience with a difference. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. They rented rooms to farmers who charged the public to see some of the older parts of the building. It has the oldest working original portcullis in England. all set within the stone structures. Take in the stunning sights of the grounds of Hever Castle and munch on a slice of pizza while youre at it. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Discover magnificent award-winning gardens set in 125 acres of glorious grounds. Enjoy the challenge of finding the best way out of the sculpted hedges of the 100-year old Yew Maze. This informative Hever Castle fact file is great to use with KS2 as a quick guide to this interesting building. Subscribe Newsletter. Online tickets cannot be purchased on the day of your visit. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. This page was last modified on 25 April 2023, at 23:22. Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the intriguing second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I. Is there at least air circulation? Explore different ways to experience this place. The castle was used as the location for a music video by Libera in 2006. Geoffrey Boleyn's grandson, Thomas Boleyn, inherited the castle in 1505. Enjoy Easter Family Fun at Hever Castle, Kent 9 / 27 Make some special family memories this Spring with an Easter quest and egg-cellent craft egg decorating workshop at Hever Castle. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Wed definitely recommend it theyve never been so quiet! Please contact the Estate Office Mon - Fri (9am-5pm) by calling 01732 865224 or emailing info@hevercastle.co.uk. Henry VIII often used the nearby Bolebroke Castle to conduct his courtship with Anne. It was then owned by James Fiennes, 1st Baron Saye and Sele. We were sorry to hear you were disappointed by your visit. The gardens and lake were beautiful and boat trips and boat hire were available, although we did not participate in either. History Hit brings you the stories that shaped the world through our award winning podcast network and an online history channel. No matter what time of year you visit you are guaranteed a breath-taking display. There is also a water maze, opened in 1999, the object of which is to reach the folly at the centre without getting wet. I just recently read that there's no air conditioning in this wing. Today, Hever Castle is open to the public. Thank you for taking the time to feedback on your experience. There are four separate categories of ticket types when visiting Hever Castle. Hello~ I've reserved 2 nights in the Astor Wing for late July. 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. For a private guided tour across the castle and garden, a single ticket is 30.90. The oldest part of the castle is the outer fortified wall and the massive gatehouse. The grounds are kept in pristine condition with lake, fountains and the imposing backdrop of the Castle itself. . You can hire arowingboator pedalo for thelake during some summer monthsand the whole area feels simply magical and special. Thank you for taking the time to feedback on your experience. Take a taxi from the station for three miles to the castle. We have kids aged 11, 9, 6 and 3 so sometimes its hard to find a play area which they all enjoy. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. Equally we stock a carefully chosen selection of everyday gifts, toys, food and drink that are well made, competitively priced with many being sourced from the local area or the UK. 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.. [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. 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. So it was 40 for a stroll round a park. It formed the unlikely backdrop to a sequence of tumultuous events that changed the course of Britain's history, monarchy and religion. In June 2013, a Japanese tea house folly was opened in the grounds of Hever Castle. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. "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. 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. Day out in Kent at Hever Castle & Gardens Hever Castles natural play areas didnt disappoint. The castle's oldest part dates to 1270 and consisted of the gatehouse and a walled bailey. Hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and subscriber rewards. 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. Tickets - Hever Castle Despite its modest architecture, it played an essential role in the history of England. Visit it today to explore its early medieval keep, its Tudor rooms, and its 125 acres of exquisite gardens. Castles did not have toilets, instead people sat on wooden seats called 'garderobes'. www.hevercastle.co.uk 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. Family (2 children + 2 adults, 1 adult + 3 children). Hever is 30 miles southeast of London, 3 miles southeast of the village of Edenbridge. The grounds of the castle include a yew maze, planted in 1904. Annual Membership provides unlimited admission for 12 months from the date of issue. 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. A superior selection of unique, self-catering holiday cottages situated throughout the UK in areas of outstanding natural beauty. 9. Enjoy Easter Family Fun at Hever Castle, Kent - Easter Egg Hunts and There are over 4000 types of roses (who knew there were that many?!) The original medieval defensive castle, with its gatehouse and walled bailey, was built in 1383. Since 1271, Hever Castle has stood proud within the tiny English village of Hever in Kent. Perfect For The Kids 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. From those you see out in the gardens and Castle, to those typing away in the offices thank you. But no, it seems all they want to do is take your money as if making up for the losses of lockdown as so many businesses are doing without providing the service you are paying for. 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. Annual Membership provides unlimited admission for 12 months from the date of issue. The gatehouse was built in 1270 and is the oldest part of the castle. It covers an area of almost 600 square metres, and has hedges up to 2.75 metres high. 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 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. From 1462 to 1539, it was the seat of the Boleyn (originally 'Bullen') family.[1]. Its a great option to visit as a day trip to bring some of what kids learn in KS2 History to life! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Good location, lovely room, excellent breakfast, helpful staff, what more could you ask of a b&b plus the added attraction of being able to enjoy the castle grounds with nobody else around. And if not does anyone know if there are restrictions on bag sizes in the castle? 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. The maze is comprised of stepping stone walkways sitting over a peaceful pool of water. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 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. Hever Castle & Gardens England is the childhood home of Anne Boleyn the second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I. The Castle was then owned by a number of families before William Waldorf Astor invested time, money and imagination in restoring the Castle, building the Tudor Village and creating the gardens, lake and golf club. Do you need to book in advance to visit Hever Castle & Gardens? 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 barbecue stand ran out of burgers and the carousel and stalls in front of the castle were very overpriced (10 for 12 mini doughnuts) and did detract somewhat from the castle itself, which was decorated beautifully inside. The third period of repair and renovation was in the 20th century, when it was acquired by William Waldorf Astor. +44 (0)1732 865224 Your email address will not be published. It can be reached via Junction 10 of the M23, and is signposted from Junctions 5 and 6 of the M25. 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). //-->. What hotels are near Hever Castle & Gardens? Very disappointing! Discover the history of Hever Castle, its owners and inhabitants as you travel through time from its construction in 1383 to the present day. William Shakespeares Wife: Who Was Anne Hathaway? 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. Food aside, it's an amazing day out and I highly recommend it! 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.'. It later came into the possession of King Henry VIII's fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. [4], The property came into the possession of Henry VIII after the death of Anne's father, Thomas Boleyn, in 1539. 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. For visitors travelling by car, the castles postcode is TN8 7NG. Anti-Slavery and human trafficking statement. The nearest train station is Hever, a one-mile walk down country lanes and cross country paths. Hever Castle: Facts and Information - Primary Facts 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. There was a strange space themed light display in the forest walk, which had absolutely nothing to do with Christmas. The castle gardens contain a wide range of features, including an Italianate garden (including Fernery), rose gardens, herb garden, and topiary. Hever Castle Fact File (Teacher-Made) - Twinkl Hever Castle: All You Need To Know In 5 Minutes | TouristSecrets Bring over 600 years of Hever Castle history to life with private guided tours, guide books and enjoyable trails to follow with young visitors. Beautifully landscaped grounds surrounding a very cosy castle. The Road to the Crown - Elizabeth I's Coronation Procession, Built by a Giantess? On a sunny day the water maze is massively popular, but we had it all to ourselves, which was brilliant! 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. Trains run from London Victoria and London Bridge (via Oxted or East Croydon) to Edenbridge Town Station. "Most Haunted" Hever Castle (TV Episode 2007) - IMDb Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. How much is it to get in to gardens but not castle? He added a Tudor dwelling within the walls. [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. Splash about the water maze to be found deep within the grounds of Hever Castle. 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. Much of what you see when touring the house is a recreation, dating from William Waldorf Astor's reconstruction of Hever, but there are many real Tudor treasures to be found. The Guthries, a Yorkshire family based in Scarborough are the current owners of the Hever Castle Estate. Hever Castle is every child's imaginary castle complete with a moat. [12], Hever Castle is now a tourist attraction, drawing on its links to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, its mazes, gardens and lakes. People also hung their clothes in the garderobes as the foul smell kept the moths away. During this latter period of ownership, the castle fell into a poor state of repair, during which time it was leased to various private tenants. Upon Sir Thomas' death, Hever Castle went to . To get into the castle, you had to cross the moat by a wooden drawbridge and then pass through the gatehouse with the large wooden doors and portcullis. We were sorry to hear that you were dissatisfied with your visit. A Head Gardener ticket costs 19.05 each. The majestic location of Hever Castle in Kent is inextricably linked to the doomed relationship between King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. 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. . The high standard of facilities available in such a magnificent setting will be hard to find elsewhere. From visitor experience executive to events coordinator, weve got something for everyone. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. He bestowed it upon Anne of Cleves in 1540 as part of the settlement following the annulment of their marriage. The beautiful Hever Castle, situated in the lovely Kent countryside in England, dates back more that 700 years but was lovingly restored in the early 20th century by William Waldorf Astor, a wealthy American. [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. You also have various activities available including archery and hiring a boat for a trip around the lake. Enjoy the other reason why Hever Castle is so popular: the golfing! Hiya, google_ad_height = 90; Are you trying to find the best British castles to capture with your camera? This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. X. Dreadful. Hever Castle, built in approximately 1270, consisted of a gatehouse and walled bailey surrounded by a moat. The afternoon tea looked really nice although we did not have one. 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. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. 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 King Henry VIII pub is literally just across from the entrance to Hever Castle. During the winter season (27th October 22nd November), last entry to Hever Castle is 15:00 with the last exit at 16:30. She Grew Up In Hever Castle Anne, along with her siblings Mary and George, was brought up in Hever castle in Kent. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Join our Adventure: Get all ourtips for kids outdoor activities and grab your FREE nature scavenger hunt! Hever Castle ( pronounced HEE-vr) is located in the village of Hever, Kent, near Edenbridge, 30 miles (48 km) south-east of London, England. There is a large lake where during some months to can ride on pedalos or row boats. 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. Chapter 2 : History of the Castle. All in all, very disappointing and we certainly wont be going back again next year. You could spend an entire day on the grounds alone. In the children's adventure playground, there is a tower maze (currently undergoing reconstruction). Totally delightful! Uncover more about the 12 different families that have owned Hever Castle from 1383 to the present day. Check out our selection here. [7] He completed a restoration, added the Tudor village (also known as the Astor Wing)[8] and also added the Italian Garden to display his collection of statuary and ornaments. GET IN TOUCH ABOUT VENUE HIRE +44 (0)1732 861 800.