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Hever Castle

The home of Anne Boleyn, lavishly remodelled for the Astor family.

Hever, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7NG

Hever Castle, Kent

Experience this house

History

Historic Houses members may benefit from reduced rates, or free entry on selected dates.
Historic Houses members may benefit from reduced rates, or free entry on selected dates.
Accessibility
  • Accessible toilets
  • Accessible parking
  • Hearing loops
  • Large font signs and leaflets
  • Wheelchair ramps/routes
  • Access statement available
Does our information need updating?
Let us know here

Dating back to the 14th century, Hever Castle was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and Mother of Elizabeth I.

Set within 125 acres of award-winning gardens, the Castle offers breathtaking displays throughout the year, showcasing nature’s beauty in every season.

Steeped in history, Hever Castle was the unlikely backdrop to a series of tumultuous events that shaped Britain’s monarchy and religion. Its panelled rooms are adorned with fine furniture, tapestries, antiques, and one of the country’s most impressive collections of Tudor portraits. The Book of Hours Room is particularly captivating, featuring two illuminated prayer books, inscribed and signed by Anne Boleyn herself.

Much of the Castle’s current grandeur is thanks to William Waldorf Astor, who restored and expanded the property in the early 20th century. The ground floor now celebrates this Edwardian transformation, with displays of memorabilia from the Astor family’s time at Hever.

The Boleyn Apartment on the first floor is a highlight for history enthusiasts. This remarkable suite of rooms, largely unchanged structurally, offers a glimpse into the domestic life of the Boleyn family. Thoughtfully restored and reimagined, the apartment is decorated to reflect its appearance during Anne Boleyn’s time.

Visitors can also explore the role Hever Castle played in the passionate and ultimately tragic love affair between Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII.

Opening Times

Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.

The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.

View website

Hever Castle & Gardens offers various admission policies and discounts for different groups and events. Below is a detailed breakdown of the opening times, conditions, and offers:

RHS Members

Hever Castle & Gardens is an RHS partner garden. RHS members are entitled to free entry to the gardens under the following conditions:

  • Free access is available Monday to Friday from 11 February 2026 to 19 November 2026.
  • Exclusions: Weekends, Kent school holidays, bank holidays, group bookings, and the Christmas event from 21 November 2025 to 2 January 2026.
  • Exceptions for weekend access during specific garden events:
    • Dazzling Daffodils: 21 & 22 March 2026
    • Celebration of Spring: 25 & 26 April 2026
    • Hever in Bloom: 27 & 28 June 2026 and 4 & 5 July 2026

Tickets must be booked on arrival, subject to availability. RHS membership cards are required for validation.

Tesco Clubcard Vouchers

Visitors can exchange Tesco Clubcard vouchers for admission tickets. Conditions include:

  • Tickets must be pre-booked online using the Reward Partner code.
  • Codes are valid for individual tickets only and cannot be used for family tickets, guidebooks, or items from the gift shop.
  • Not valid for special events, group bookings, or Christmas experiences from 21 November 2025 to 2 January 2026.

Gardeners’ World 2-for-1 Entry Cards

Holders of the Gardeners’ World 2-for-1 card can enjoy one free entry with one full-paying adult. Conditions include:

  • Valid for Gardens Only or Castle & Gardens tickets.
  • Not valid for online ticket prices or on specific event days (e.g., Bugs, Boots & Backpacks, Easter Family Fun, May Day Weekend, and others).

Tickets must be booked on arrival, and the card must be presented for validation.

Historic Houses Members

Historic Houses members receive free admission to the Castle and Gardens under the following conditions:

  • Free access is available Monday to Friday from 11 February 2026 to 20 November 2026.
  • Exclusions: Weekends, Kent school holidays, bank holidays, group bookings, and the Christmas event from 21 November 2025 to 2 January 2026.

Tickets must be booked on arrival, and membership cards are required for validation.

Armed Forces

Members of the Armed Forces and their families are eligible for a 20% discount on tickets. Conditions include:

  • Discount applies to three ticket types: KSY Military Museum Only, Castle & Gardens, and Gardens Only.
  • Not valid during school holidays, bank holidays, or special ticketed events such as Christmas experiences.

Tickets must be booked on arrival, and proof of service is required.

KSY Military Museum

The KSY Military Museum offers a "Friends of the Museum" program with benefits such as:

  • 50% discount on tickets and annual memberships.
  • News and updates on museum activities.

Tickets must be booked on arrival, and discounts are not valid during special ticketed events.

Things to Do

Attractions at Hever Castle & Gardens include play areas, mazes, miniature model houses, and the KSY Military Museum.

Admission

For regular admission prices and to buy tickets, see the castle’s website.

Free access to the Castle and Gardens for Historic Houses members only applies from Monday to Friday, between 12 Feb 2025 and 14 Nov 2025 (closed some Mondays and Tuesdays in November), and excludes weekends, Kent school holidays, bank holidays, group bookings and Christmas.

Free and discounted tickets are no longer available to book online. Please book on arrival, subject to availability and the T&Cs stated.

Group Visits

Whether you are a group travel organiser or member of the travel trade planning trips and tours in Kent, Hever Castle & Gardens has a selection of experiences and packages to suit the interests and needs of groups.

They have a dedicated member of staff who will assist you with your planning and will guide you every step of the way to ensure that your group visit is a memorable one.

Whatever type of group visit you are planning, large or small we look forward to helping you plan your perfect day out.

Tel: 01732 861 701 Email: [email protected]

Educational Visits

A visit to Hever Castle & Gardens offers informative educational school trips for UK and overseas groups and provides a stimulating opportunity for learning outside the classroom. School and student groups must book their visits in advance. Their Group Visits Coordinator will be happy to talk through the best type of visit to suit your class learning objectives.

Tel: 01732 861 701 Email: [email protected]

Accessibility
  • Accessible toilets
  • Accessible parking
  • Hearing loops
  • Large font signs and leaflets
  • Wheelchair ramps/routes
  • Access statement available
Does our information need updating?
Let us know here

The Anne Boleyn Rose Portrait

Anne Boleyn The Rose Portrait

Hever Castle in Kent has an impressive collection of Tudor portraits, second only to the collection in the National Portrait Gallery in London. This portrait of Anne Boleyn, who grew up at Hever Castle, is on display in the historic attraction’s Long Gallery. The Long Gallery depicts the saga from the Wars of the Roses to the Reformation through its art collection.

Although it is an iconic image of the monarch who was only queen for 1,000 days, Hever Castle knows very little about the Anne Boleyn portrait itself and when exactly it was acquired.

Believed to have been bought by one of the Astor family who previously owned the Castle at some point between 1919 and 1965, it is first mentioned in a valuation for insurance document (listing all items in the collection) in 1965. The oil painting is attributed to the English school and is believed to have been painted around 1550, 14 years after Anne’s execution.

It bears a strong resemblance to the Radclyffe portrait, believed to be in a private collection. Known as the Anne Boleyn rose portrait, Hever Castle staff are keen to do more research into the image to find out more about who purchased it and when and where it was purchased.

The valuation for insurance document has the value in 1965 of £400, but staff do not know how much it was originally bought for.

If it was bought at an English auction house then there would be provenance information and a sale invoice.
Hever Castle would also be keen to find out more about the age of the portrait.

Images credit Hever Castle.

Anne Boleyn's prayerbook discovery at Hever Castle with Kate McCaffrey

A new discovery on Anne Boleyn’s historic prayer book

On the anniversary of Anne Boleyn’s execution Hever Castle reveals new research on her historic prayer book, unveiling what happened to it after her death.

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Hever Castle gardens in the summer

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