With spring finally in full bloom, it’s time to shake the winter blues away with bluebells, cherry blossoms, and beyond. Hever Castle & Gardens in Kent is an ideal place to add some much-needed spring to your step, with award-winning gardens to explore featuring plentiful bulbs, blooms, and beautiful quirks that have made it one of the best in the world.
On top of this, the grounds possess a rich history being the childhood home to Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII’s second queen consort. Nestled in the enchanting village of Hever in Kent, the castle started as a country house built back in the 14th century. It was inherited by the Boleyn family in 1505, and even came into possession by Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, making it steeped in royal history.
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The Castle
Although renowned for its fantastical gardens, the castle itself is not to be missed. Nestled within its 125 acres of glorious grounds, Hever Castle began as a country house in the fourteenth century. From the perfectly panelled walls to their eclectic collection of historic furniture, delve into 600 years of history by exploring this enchanting castle.
The house and castle has had many royal residents that have had a direct impact on British history, politics, and religion. Most notably Anne Boleyn, the second wife and queen consort of Henry VIII, as well as the Mother of Elizabeth I.
Artefacts connected to this magnificent slice of history include two prayer books which belonged to Boleyn and feature her inscriptions and signature throughout. However, there are so many more fantastical things to see inside Hever Castle thanks to their undeniable commitment to the conservation of their precious collection, which has undergone several ownerships and preservation projects.
Since the castle was built back in 1383, it has had many more lives before housing the future Queen consort. It was originally built as a defensive castle, and there’s even a gatehouse, a walled bailey, and a ‘Tudor Town’ (now known as the ‘Astor Wing’) to scout around and explore.
The Garden
No visit to Hever Castle is complete without visiting their award-winning gardens, which are considered some of the best in the world. The gorgeous landscaping and its picture-perfect quirks make it an awesome place to visit no matter the weather, as the forever-changing colours evolve with the seasons.
Whether it’s the Pompeiian Wall or the 5,000 rose bushes in the English Rose Garden, prepare yourself for a visual feast of seasonal blooms and an impressive collection of ancient trees which were planted more than 100 years ago.
The Loggia in the Italian Gardens overlooks the magnificent 38-acre lake, and is the perfect place to kick-start your self-guided tour of the grounds. However, you can also enjoy seasonal tours of the gardens with a professional guide, telling you more about the history and biology of the grounds.
Famed flowers and blooms in the castle gardens include daffodils, hyacinths, wallflowers, and beyond. Be sure to follow Hever Gardens on social media to stay up to date with their garden blooms and blossoms to perfectly sync your visit with your favourite flowers.
Things to do
Beyond the castle and gardens, there are so many fantastic things to do at Hever Castle. As we mentioned above, you can experience tours of not only the gardens, but the castle as well. There’s also a fabulous line-up of programmed events throughout the year with something for everyone.
From springtime celebrations to live theatre, jousting performances to winter experiences and walks, we’re truly spoilt for choice when it comes to both educational and insightful events, as well as fully-rounded family fun. There are courses and workshops, craft fairs, and more. Click here to view Hever Castle’s full events calendar.
Also, other fantastic things to do on the grounds include kids’ play areas, their iconic mazes, a military museum, and many places to eat and drink. Picnics are also encouraged if you fancy an idyllic setting for your midday pick-me-up for castle exploration. There are even opportunities to stay the night with enchanting accommodations.
How to get there
The easiest and fastest way to get to Hever Castle is by train. Trains run from London Victoria and London Bridge (via Oxted or East Croydon) to Edenbridge Town Station, or to Hever Station. Hever Castle is a three-mile taxi ride from Edenbridge or a one-mile rural walk from Hever Station. The castle is located at Riverside Flat Hever Castle, Hever TN8 7NG.
How much does it cost?
There are several ticketing options available, including garden-only tickets and castle-combos. Booking online guarantees the best price with the Castle & Garden ticket costing £22.00 for adults. For more information and tickets, click here to visit Hever Castle’s website.