Hever Castle & Gardens

Anne Boleyn’s Childhood Home & Award-Winning Historic Castle

Hever Castle & Gardens stands as one of England’s most romantic and historically significant attractions, famous as the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I. This magnificent 13th-century double-moated castle near Edenbridge combines Tudor heritage with 125 acres of award-winning gardens, creating an unforgettable destination for history enthusiasts, families, and garden lovers. Visitors discover authentic Tudor rooms where Anne Boleyn lived, explore spectacular Italian Gardens featuring classical statuary and fountains, navigate the challenging water maze, and enjoy year-round events from jousting tournaments to Christmas festivities across this stunning Kent estate.

Tudor History & Royal Heritage

Hever Castle’s fascinating history spans over 700 years, from medieval fortified farmhouse to Tudor manor where the Boleyn family entertained King Henry VIII during his courtship of Anne Boleyn. The castle witnessed pivotal moments in English history as Henry VIII’s pursuit of Anne led to England’s break with Rome and the English Reformation. Following Anne’s execution in 1536, Henry VIII acquired Hever Castle, giving it as a wedding gift to his fourth wife Anne of Cleves. Today’s preserved Tudor rooms showcase period furniture, tapestries, and the atmospheric Long Gallery where royal courtships unfolded, while fascinating exhibitions reveal Anne Boleyn’s life, her controversial reign as Queen, and her tragic downfall.

What to Expect at Hever Castle

Experience authentic Tudor architecture exploring the castle’s Great Hall with its impressive fireplace, intimate Tudor bedchambers revealing 16th-century life, and the Astor Suite displaying treasures collected by American millionaire William Waldorf Astor who restored Hever in 1903. The castle’s stunning location on two islands surrounded by defensive moats creates a fairytale setting, while costumed interpreters bring Tudor history alive through engaging demonstrations and storytelling. Seasonal exhibitions explore Tudor life, Henry VIII’s six wives, and medieval castle defense, complemented by interactive displays perfect for families discovering English royal history.

Award-Winning Gardens & Grounds

• Italian Garden: Spectacular formal garden featuring classical sculptures, fountains, and the magnificent Pompeian Wall with authentic Roman columns
• Rose Garden: Over 4,000 rose bushes creating spectacular displays from June through September with heritage and modern varieties
• Water Maze: Challenging puzzle featuring fountains, bridges, and water features where visitors navigate to reach the central grotto
• Tudor Garden: Authentic recreation of 16th-century garden design with herbs, medicinal plants, and period planting schemes
• Yew Maze: Traditional hedge maze offering family-friendly puzzle-solving challenges with elevated viewing platform
• Lake & Water Features: 38-acre lake with lakeside walks, ornamental bridges, cascades, and stunning reflections of castle and gardens
• Woodland Walks: Scenic trails through ancient woodland featuring bluebells in spring and stunning autumn colors
• Loggia: Italian-style covered walkway with spectacular views across formal gardens to the castle

Family Adventures & Activities

Hever Castle excels at family entertainment with Hever Explorer adventure playground featuring castle-themed towers, climbing nets, zip wires, and slides nestled in woodland settings. Children discover Tudor life through interactive trails, dress-up opportunities in period costumes, and hands-on activities in the Discovery Room. The castle hosts spectacular seasonal events including the Hever Castle Halloween Events with spooky trails and ghostly tales, jousting tournaments featuring armored knights on horseback, medieval festivals with archery demonstrations, and Christmas celebrations transforming the castle into a winter wonderland with festive markets and carol concerts.

Special Events & Seasonal Experiences

Throughout the year, Hever Castle delivers world-class events attracting visitors from across Britain and beyond. The famous Hever Festival features outdoor performances including theater, opera, and concerts against the stunning castle backdrop. Summer brings jousting tournaments with professional knights competing in medieval combat sports, while autumn welcomes classic car shows displaying rare vintage vehicles in the grounds. The Christmas season transforms Hever into a magical destination with festive decorations, artisan markets, ice skating, and enchanted woodland trails, creating perfect family memories.

Complete West Kent Heritage Experience

Explore magnificent Leeds Castle, England’s loveliest castle with gardens and maze just 45 minutes away. Discover historic Knole Park in Sevenoaks, one of England’s largest houses with deer park and National Trust collections. Experience interactive history at Historic Dockyard Chatham with warships and submarine tours. Visit impressive Rochester Castle with Norman keep and Medway views. Explore family adventures at Kent Life Heritage Farm Park. Enjoy entertainment at Stag Theatre Sevenoaks. Discover more Kent castles including Dover Castle with dramatic cliff-top location.

Dining & Visitor Facilities

Moat Restaurant: Licensed restaurant serving seasonal British cuisine, cream teas, light lunches, and homemade cakes with beautiful views across the castle moat and gardens.

Guthrie Pavilion Café: Self-service café offering hot meals, sandwiches, snacks, children’s menu, and barista coffee near the Italian Garden with lakeside terrace seating.

Facilities: Free parking for all visitors, accessible routes throughout grounds (castle has stairs), wheelchair hire available, mobility scooter rental, baby changing facilities, pushchair-friendly main paths, extensive gift shop, plant center selling garden-grown specimens, picnic areas, and dedicated accessible facilities.

Function Venue: Exclusive castle and grounds available for weddings, corporate events, and private functions with luxury accommodation in the Tudor-style village cottages.

Additional Information

• Built: Original castle 1270, major additions 1462-1539 during Boleyn ownership
• Famous Resident: Anne Boleyn (1501-1536), second wife of Henry VIII, lived at Hever during childhood and courtship
• Royal Connections: Henry VIII visited regularly 1525-1527 during courtship, later owned castle until death in 1547
• Restoration: William Waldorf Astor purchased 1903, invested millions creating Italian Garden and Tudor Village
• Gardens Size: 125 acres featuring formal gardens, woodland, lake, and landscaped grounds
• Rose Collection: 4,000+ rose bushes representing 150+ varieties in award-winning displays
• Sculptures: Italian Garden contains over 100 classical Roman and Greek statuary pieces
• Lake: 38-acre lake created by Astor, largest private lake in Kent at that time
• Opening Times: March-October 10:30am-6pm, November-February 10:30am-4:30pm, closed December 24-26
• Admission: Adults from £19.75, children (5-16) from £11.50, under 5s free, family tickets and annual passes available
• Location: Near Edenbridge, between Sevenoaks and East Grinstead, excellent M25 access
• Parking: Free parking for all visitors with dedicated disabled spaces near castle entrance
• Dogs: Dogs welcome in grounds on leads, not permitted inside castle
• Photography: Photography permitted in gardens, restricted in castle interior, commercial photography requires permission
• Events: Year-round program including jousting, festivals, outdoor theater, classic cars, Christmas markets
• Awards: Gold Award VisitEngland, Kent Tourism Award winner, RHS Partner Garden, Green Tourism Gold