Hever Castle and Gardens Summary

• Address: Hever, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG (Map)
• Tel: +44 (0)1732 865224
• Fax: +44 (0)1732 866796
• Owner: Hever Castle Limited
• Administrator: Ann Watt
• E-mail: Click here to contact
• Website: Go to the Hever Castle and Gardens website

This was the beginning of the glory days for Hever Castle, although sadly short-lived when Anne Boleyn (Bullen) failed to produce a son and heir for King Henry VIII. The rest, as they say, is history.

Despite the fact Hever Castle had been the home of two queens (Anne Boleyn and Anne of Cleves) the Castle slowly fell into disrepair until finally, in 1903, the Castle was bought by an American, William Waldorf Astor. With a keen appreciation for quality and a true respect of history he set about restoring the Castle and Gardens, lavishing millions of dollars of his personal fortune filling it with treasures, building the 100 room Tudor Village and creating the Gardens and lake making Hever Castle what it is today.

Opening Times - 2011

Main Season:

• 3rd - 31st March: Wednesday - Sunday, Gardens open 10.30 am - 4 pm. Castle open 12 noon
• Last admission 4 pm with final exit is at 5 pm
• 1st April - 31st October: Daily, Gardens open 10.30 am - 5 pm. Castle open 12 noon
• Last admission 5 pm with final exit is at 6 pm

Winter:

1st November - 24th December: Thursday - Sunday

• Castle, Christmas Shop and restaurant only
• The Castle opens at 12 noon
• Last admission is at 3 pm with final exit at 4 pm

3rd - 20th December:

• Thursday - Sunday
• The Gardens open at 11 am
• The Castle at 12 noon
• Last admission is at 3 pm with final exit at 4 pm

Please note that the Yew Maze and the Water Maze open Easter - October only weather permitting

We regret that pushchairs are not permitted inside the Castle

Admission Prices - 2011

Castle & Gardens

• Adult - £13.00
• Child (5-14 years) - £7.00
• Seniors - £11.00
• Family (2+2) - £33.00

Gardens Only

• Adult - £10.50
• Child (5-14 years) - £6.50
• Seniors - £9.00
• Family (2+2) - £27.50

Corporate Events, Fine Dining and Accommodation
The 1st Viscount Astor of Hever built the Tudor Village as a splendid country house extension to the Castle to accommodate his family and guests. It is built to the exact style of the Tudor period. The rooms are internally linked by corridors and enjoy modern day comforts and facilities.

The unique atmosphere of the Tudor Village at Hever Castle provides a complete range of separate and exclusive use facilities for residential and day conferences, group incentive travel, corporate entertainment, product launches, receptions and private dining.

Tudor Village Tariff: (All prices quoted are exclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated). For Corporate Enquiries - Click Here.

Accommodation:

• £130 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin bedded room
• £150 for single occupancy
• Room Hire: Exclusive use of the Dining Hall of Hever Castle £1175
• Maximum of 40 guests
• Exclusive use of the Tudor Suite Dining Hall £350
• Maximum of 64 guests

Private Dining:

• Buffet Luncheon from £25.00 per person
• Three Course from £38.00 per person
• Four Course from £42.00 per person
• Afternoon Tea from £12.50 per person

Wedding Receptions:

• Wedding Receptions may be held in the Tudor Suite for a maximum of 64 guests
• Please note that they also hold a civil ceremony licence
• There is a facility fee of £950 including VAT for a five-hour period

Administrators

Day Visitor Manager: Sarah Lewis

Tudor Village Manager: Mr David Jennings

More information on this garden can be found on The Gardens Guide.

Further information including opening times and prices

Image Gallery

Your Reviews of Hever Castle and Gardens

Mrs Ivory (25 February 2005)

We held our wedding in the Tudor Village in May 04, amazing venue and very helpful staff. A dream came true to get married in a castle (well nearly).

Events for Hever Castle and Gardens

• Snowdrop Trails - 11 February 2012 to 19 February 2012
  Follow the snowdrop trail through the grounds and at the same time enjoy the early camellia and quince blossoms. Fop the more energetic take the challenge of the one hour Hever Lake Walk looking for signs of wildlife (weather permitting).
• Half-Term Activities - 13 February 2012 to 19 February 2012
  11.30 am, 1.30 pm, 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm: In the Workshop Centre the Lady of the Wildwoods will be telling interactive stories of spring and a holding a workshop. This is the ideal opportunity for parents and friends to enjoy a hot drink and snack while the children are entertained.
• Annual Easter Egg Trail - 10 April 2012 to 15 April 2012
  Hunt for clues on the Annual Easter Egg Trail in the garden Henrietta the Hen will be there to help, then claim your chocolate reward. There is a clutch of hens to look out for and you can learn about the rare breeds from their owner. Find out how to set up your own chicken coop at home and to collect your own eggs each morning. Brass bands will be playing during the weekend too. Brass rubbing activities in the drop-in workshop.
• Dancing Round the Maypole - 05 May 2012 to 07 May 2012
  Over the centuries, Maypole dancing has brought local communities together to celebrate spring - join costumed dancers here as they circle the Maypole intertwining brightly coloured ribbons. Morris Men decked out with bells perform 15th century dances to traditional tunes wielding sticks, swords, handkerchiefs or bells. Then stroll through the Gardens to enjoy the many floral attractions available to all ages.
• Tudor Jubilee Celebrations - 02 June 2012 to 05 June 2012
  Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn celebrate Anne's coronation with Tudor music and jesters, period demonstrations from a selection of craftsmen including a jeweller to the crown and have-a-go archery. Children can dress up and join the parade a prize will be given to the best dressed prince and princess.

• Jubilee Festival Theatre - 02 June 2012 to 21 June 2012
  A variety of chargeable events throughout June - 2nd June: Royal Variety Performance - 3rd & 4th June: Cinema Under the Stars - The King's Speech - 7th & 8th: The Twits by Roald Dahl - 9th June: On the Funny Side of the Street by Barry Cryer - 10th: Folk Night - 14th & 21st June: Comedy Night. Please see Hever Castle's website for further information.
• Royal Half-Term Fun - 06 June 2012 to 10 June 2012
  Specialists on life in Tudor times give interactive demonstrations on dressing a Knight and young visitors are invited to dress in Tudor costumes to recreate the court life.
• Best of British Garden Festival - 14 June 2012 to 24 June 2012
  NAFAS - Sevenoaks Flower Club will fill the Castle rooms with colour and fragrance with their beautiful floral displays to celebrate the Jubilee. Red, white and blue planting schemes give a patriotic theme to the gardens. On Sunday June 24 Classic car lovers will be indulged with a display of 150 Aston Martin cars.
• The Knights of Royal England Jousting Tour - 14 July 2012 to 15 July 2012
  The King and Queen will arrive from the Castle at 2pm and then the Knights of Royal England proceed with an exciting display of action, stunts, falls and fights while bringing the medieval sport of jousting to life. There will be dancing, minstrels and visitors can also try the 'Have-a-go Archery' on the Winter Garden Lawn.
• The Knights of Royal England Jousting Tour - 21 July 2012 to 22 July 2012
  The King and Queen will arrive from the Castle at 2pm and then the Knights of Royal England proceed with an exciting display of action, stunts, falls and fights while bringing the medieval sport of jousting to life. There will be dancing, minstrels and visitors can also try the 'Have-a-go Archery' on the Winter Garden Lawn.

• The Knights of Royal England Jousting Tour - 27 July 2012 to 29 July 2012
  The King and Queen will arrive from the Castle at 2pm and then the Knights of Royal England proceed with an exciting display of action, stunts, falls and fights while bringing the medieval sport of jousting to life. There will be dancing, minstrels and visitors can also try the 'Have-a-go Archery' on the Winter Garden Lawn.
• The Knights of Royal England Jousting Tour - 10 August 2012 to 12 August 2012
  The King and Queen will arrive from the Castle at 2pm and then the Knights of Royal England proceed with an exciting display of action, stunts, falls and fights while bringing the medieval sport of jousting to life. There will be dancing, minstrels and visitors can also try the 'Have-a-go Archery' on the Winter Garden Lawn.
• The Knights of Royal England Jousting Tour - 17 August 2012 to 19 August 2012
  The King and Queen will arrive from the Castle at 2pm and then the Knights of Royal England proceed with an exciting display of action, stunts, falls and fights while bringing the medieval sport of jousting to life. There will be dancing, minstrels and visitors can also try the 'Have-a-go Archery' on the Winter Garden Lawn.
• The Knights of Royal England Jousting Tour - 24 August 2012 to 25 August 2012
  The King and Queen will arrive from the Castle at 2pm and then the Knights of Royal England proceed with an exciting display of action, stunts, falls and fights while bringing the medieval sport of jousting to life. There will be dancing, minstrels and visitors can also try the 'Have-a-go Archery' on the Winter Garden Lawn.
• New Country Life at the Castle - 14 September 2012 to 16 September 2012
  Stalls will be set up on Half Moon Pond Lawn with a variety of craftspeople demonstrating country crafts such as aromatherapy, ceramics, felt making, rug making, wood turning and wood carving plus spinners, weavers and dyers. Advice on hen and bee keeping from experts. See Hever Castle's annual Patchwork and Quilting Exhibition plus a display from Members of The Quilters’ Guild from Kent, Surrey and Sussex. There are also patchwork and quilting techniques, lacemaking demonstrations and much more!

• Halloween Half-Term spooky Fun - 29 October 2012 to 04 November 2012
  Discover Hever Castle's intriguing past by following a pumpkin and scarecrow trail (from information centre) through the grounds. A family ticket and goody bag to be won in a prize draw at the end of the week. In the drop-in Halloween workshops you can make your own trick-or-treat to take home. The Lady of the Wildwoods will be telling scary stories from 12 - 12.45 pm. Plus the Adventure Playground and the Yew Maze and also drop-in workshops (2 - 4 pm, limited numbers - first come first served).

Additional Info for Hever Castle and Gardens

• Gardens
• Groups
• Dogs allowed
• Weddings
• Disabled Access
• Education
• Refreshments
• Guides
• Meals Available
• Conferences
• Filming
• Gifts
• Nursery
• Shop
• Car Parking

Heritage Groups

• Historic Houses Association

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