insideKENT Magazine Issue 76 - July 2018 | Page 62

VISITKENT
ENJOY A SUMMER OF FAMILY FUN AT
HEVER CASTLE
VISIT HEVER CASTLE & GARDENS THIS SUMMER TO ENJOY AN ENTERTAINING
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES SET AMIDST AWARD-WINNING GARDENS.
Discover 700 years of history in the childhood
home of Anne Boleyn. The splendid
rooms of the double-moated castle contain
fine furniture, tapestries, antiques, an
important collection of Tudor paintings and
two prayer books inscribed and signed by
Anne Boleyn herself.
Two gift shops stock a wide selection of gift
ideas, souvenirs, books, local produce and
plants. The Moat and Guthrie Pavilion
restaurants serve delicious hot and cold
food and there are a number of picnic areas
in the grounds for visitors wishing to make a
day of it.
Photos © Hever Castle & Gardens
The Knights of Royal England will once again
delight crowds with the annual Summer
Jousting Tournament beginning on 14th and
15th July. Throughout the summer, spectators
will be treated to exhilarating displays of action,
stunts, falls and fights in an authentic arena
complete with a royal box. Join the procession
from the castle forecourt as Henry VIII, Anne
Boleyn and the Knights of Royal England make
their way to the Jousting arena. Jousting
tournaments take place on July 14th/15th;
21st/22nd; 29th/30th, August 11th/12th;
18th/19th; 24th-27th.
Discover what life was like when English
archers ruled the battlefield, learn about the
history of the bow and its use in Tudor times,
and wander among the encampments as part
of Tudor Tales on 28th and 29th July.
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Kids can experience what it was like to grow
up and serve in a royal household in medieval
time during Knights & Princesses School (from
21st July). Youngsters can learn how to prepare
and protect armour, discover the best way to
arm and disarm their master before battle and
find out the correct way to give a proper and
perfect greeting.
Children are encouraged to get into the
spirit by coming in costume. At the end of
each session they can take part in a fun
sword practise before receiving their certificate
and being officiated as knights and princesses
of Hever.
Enjoy a weekend dedicated to our four-legged
friends on 4th and 5th August with Castle
Canines. With informative displays and
entertainment on offer, you can also enter
your pooch into a dog show, complete with
rosettes for the winners in each category.
There is also the 100-year old Yew Maze
(how long will it take you to get out?), the
popular Water Maze and the thrilling Tudor
Towers adventure playground, as well as
‘Have-a-Go’ Archery and boating on the
38-acre lake (additional charge for archery
and boating; only available during weekends
and school holidays).
For more information, please visit
hevercastle.co.uk/whats-on.