insideKENT Magazine Issue 76 - July 2018 | Page 95

insideKENT’s TOP SPOT FOR A SUMMER DAY OUT:
Hever Castle // Hever
HEVER CASTLE, IN THE GORGEOUS VILLAGE OF HEVER, JUST OUTSIDE EDENBRIDGE, IS BEAUTIFUL. IT’S CHARMING.
IT’S FASCINATING. IT’S ALL OF THE ABOVE AND THEN SOME, AND IT’S PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST WELL-LOVED
OF ALL OF KENT’S CASTLES (THERE ARE 32 OF THEM IN VARIOUS STATES OF REPAIR, FROM PERFECTLY MAINTAINED
TO EXCITING RUINS, SO THAT SAYS A LOT ABOUT HOW WONDERFUL HEVER IS).
One of the reasons that Hever is so well
regarded in Kent (and around the world) is
that it is the childhood home of Henry VIII’s
second – and arguably most
famous/infamous – wife, Anne Boleyn. It’s
an awe-inspiring thought to know that the
doomed queen of England, mother to
Elizabeth I, ran through the same halls as you
are able to walk through now.
However, although Anne is probably the
castle’s most well-known inhabitant, the
building itself dates from long before her
family bought it. It was built in the 13th century,
although the stunning gardens that surround
it were designed in 1903 specifically for William
Waldorf Astor. In fact, the castle was added to
by various owners over the years, each one
wanting to make their mark. That’s another
reason why it is a popular place to visit;
different moments in time are captured here.
When you take a tour inside the castle, you
will find antique furniture, Tudor paintings,
some rather interesting exhibitions and of
course the remarkable prayer books that have
been inscribed by Anne Boleyn herself. Hours
could very easily be whiled away inside this
moated castle. Yet when you arrive you don’t
have to go inside at all – the gardens
themselves are a big draw for many, perhaps
especially in the height of summer. Hever
Castle’s grounds consist of 125 acres, and the
gardens are an integral part of it all. In the
Italian Garden there is classical statuary to
marvel at, and in the English Rose Garden
there are 4,000 rose bushes which smell
divine. Within the grounds you’ll also find a
boating lake (which takes up 38 acres just by
itself) – why not hire a rowing boat and explore
Hever in style?
On top of these excellent features there is a
lot of fun to be had when visiting Hever Castle.
Take the adventure playground, for example.
Recently refurbished and perfectly situated to
make the most of a shady spot, children can
run around to their heart’s content on their
own miniature castle. If more adventure is
needed, there are the mazes – a yew tree
version and a rather wetter water one.
Depending on when you choose to visit, you
will find a variety of special events taking place
at the castle too. During the school holidays
there are always exciting things for the kids
to do including the annual jousting
competition (where Henry VIII and Anne
herself come to watch), plus the Festival
Theatre with productions for adults and
children. In the winter Father Christmas comes
visiting and sets up his amazing grotto and
there is always a new theme for the castle such
as fairy tales or a winter wonderland. With
a fairground and a trail to follow, it’s a great
day out.
www.hevercastle.co.uk
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