And it is not just Kings and Queens that can be seen
at Hever. The Castle itself and the village of Hever
are the subject of many oil paintings on display.
Many visitors to Hever Castle will not be aware that
there are many other works of art that they will not
see unless they are guests at the luxury B&B. The
walls of the Astor Wing (joined to the Castle and part
of previous owner William Waldorf Astor’s Tudor
Village) are adorned with artwork. Of particular
significance are eight pictures from a series done
by Renold Elstrack of monarchs of England. There
are more from the series in the National Portrait
Gallery in London.
There are also several pieces by impressionist
artist Dorothea Sharp, one of Mrs Faith Guthrie’s
favourite artists. In 2008 Dorothea was the subject
of an exhibition at the Castle celebrating the
100th anniversary of its renovation by William
Waldorf Astor.
Ballerina Lydia Lopokova is the subject of an
unfinished painting in the Astor Wing by Augustus
John and you can also see a portrait of Britain’s
first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher by
June Mendoza.
Staff at Hever Castle take conservation of its paintings
very seriously and every five years they are assessed
by conservator Francis Downing who reports on any
needing work and a priority list.
For more information about the Castle, events and
staying in the Astor Wing go to
www.hevercastle.co.uk
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