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Castles in Edenbridge, Kent
Hever Castle & Gardens
Edenbridge
Kent
TN8 7NG
Tel: +44 (0)1732 865 224
Fax: +44 (0)1732 866 796
Email: click here
Hever Castle & Gardens online: information and bookings
Hever Castle is a romantic, double moated castle set deep in the heart of the Kent countryside. Its rich and varied history stretches back over seven centuries when the impressive stone gatehouse and outer walls were constructed. However the castle is best known as the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Queen Elizabeth I. It was her family who added the comfortable Tudor manor house within these walls in about 1500. Henry VIII is thought to have wooed Anne at Hever and there are exhibitions in the castle celebrating this romantic part of English history. Henry VIII later gave Hever Castle to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.
The American millionaire, William Waldorf Astor, acquired the estate in 1903 and invested a great deal of time, money and imagination in restoring the castle, building the Tudor Village and creating the glorious gardens. Inside the Castle, the walls were covered with magnificent carving and panelling and the rooms were filled with wonderful antiques and works of art, most of which can still be enjoyed by visitors today. Recent attractions include Tudor portraits. The Tudor Village adjoining the castle, with its historic interiors and modern facilities provides a unique setting for wedding ceremonies, residential and day conferences with accommodation suitable for both corporate and private clients.
The award winning gardens surrounding Hever Castle have now reached their full maturity and are a blaze of colour for most of the year. The spectacular Italian Garden contains William Waldorf Astor’s collection of antique sculpture and statuary set amongst the shrubs and herbaceous plants. The formal gardens include a walled rose garden, fine topiary, a 110 metre herbaceous border and a yew maze. There is also a 35 acre lake and a unique water maze on ‘Sixteen Acre Island’.
The Castle’s current owner, John Guthrie, has further added to its charms by opening a collection of miniature model houses in a purpose built exhibition centre in the grounds. This exquisite collection contains three one-twelfth scale period houses, a number of room views and two formal miniature gardens. The ‘From Castles to Country Houses’ exhibition tells the history of English country houses from Norman to Victorian times.
Facilities
Historic House, Gardens, Wheelchair Access, Restaurant, Picnic Area, Children's Play Area, Car Park, Private Tours Available, School Tours Available, Dogs on Leads Allowed
Exclusive conference facilities
Weddings and Conferences
Hever Castle, once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, is set in spectacular award winning gardens.
Hever provides an ideal romantic setting for your special wedding day
There are twenty individually designed luxurious bedrooms with lavish amounts of oak panelling in truly unique surroundings. There is the possibility of dining in the Dining Hall of Hever Castle, which is steeped in history, and is able to cater for up to 40 guests, or alternatively the Tudor Suite Dining Hall, able to cater for up to 64.
In addition to the historic nature of Hever Castle Tudor Village there is the opportunity of utilising the estate for team building activities including using quad bikes and apache cars. The facilities provide up to date technology including wire free connections at broadband speeds. In 2002 Hever Golf Club was purchased by Hever Castle. Now named Hever Castle Golf Club the course consists of an extremely attractive par 72 Championship 18 hole Course with a separate nine hole course.
Additional Services
Conferences, Banquets and Weddings
Yew Maze, Water Maze, Adventure Playground, Miniature Model Houses
In case of alteration, please check prices, opening times and any specific important information before booking or visiting
Go Back to Kent?
More Castles in Kent?
Places to Stay near Hever Castle & Gardens
Ye Old Crown, Edenbridge The Wheatsheaf, Hever
The Whithorse Inn , Holtye
The Kentish Horse, Markbeech
The Castle Inn, Chiddingstone
