Hever Castle And Gardens - The Childhood Home Of Anne Boleyn

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Hever Castle And Gardens - The Childhood Home Of Anne Boleyn

The first building at the castle took place in the 1270’s when the huge gatehouse and outer and inner walls were constructed and surrounded by a moat. Some 200 years later the Bullen (or Boleyn) family added the Tudor manor behind the walls. This was the childhood home of the more well known Anne Boleyn, who was the second wife of King Henry VIII Their daughter Elizabeth was born in 1533 but she failed to produce a son and heir Henry wanted and in 1536 was beheaded.

Hever Castle And Gardens

Over the years the castle slowly fell into disrepair until finally, in 1903, the Castle was bought by the American millionaire William Waldorf Astor who set about restoring the castle and grounds to their former glory. He had designed and planted, 30 acres of formal gardens and also built a Tudor village behind the castle to act as guest accommodation. Astor filled the Castle with period furniture, paintings and tapestries which visitors can see today and as befits the royal link, there is a costumed exhibition of Henry VIII and his six wives. The gardens are one of the attractions that draws people to Hever Castle and they can see topiary, Italian and Tudor Gardens herbaceous borders and a lake. There is also a yew maze to tempt the more adventurous and a splashing water maze. For children there is an adventure playground.

Opening Hours:

01 April - 31 October

daily Gardens open: 10:30am
Castle open: 12 noon
Last admission: 5:00pm
Final exit: 6:00pm (5:00pm 30 & 31 Oct )

Winter - 2 November - 24 December

Wednesday - Sunday
Gardens open: 10:30am
Castle open: 11: 00am
Last admission: 4:00pm
Final exit: 5:00pm

Prices:

Castle & Gardens

Adult £14.00
Senior Citizen £12.00
Child (5-15) £8.00
Family Ticket £36.00
(2 adults/2 children or 1 adult/3 children), not applicable to groups.

Gardens Only

Adult £11.50
Senior Citizen £10.00
Child (5-15) £7.50
Family Ticket £30.50
(2 adults/2 children or 1 adult/3 children), not applicable to groups.

Audio Tour

Available in English, French or German
Cost £3.00

Wheelchair access:

Hever Castle only has Wheelchair access to the ground floor.

Address:

The castle is at Hever, Edenbridge, Kent,

How to get there:

From Junction J5/6 of the M25 take the B2026 and follow signposts.

Contact details:

Tel: 0173 865224
Wed Site: www.hevercastle.co.uk

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