Hever Castle
The home of Anne Boleyn, lavishly remodelled for the Astor family.
Hever, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7NG
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking
- Hearing loops
- Large font signs and leaflets
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Access statement available
Spanning more than 700 years, the history of Hever Castle is rich and varied. The original medieval defensive castle, with its gatehouse and walled bailey, was built in 1270. In the 15th and 16th centuries it was the home of one of the most powerful families in the country, the Boleyns, who added the Tudor dwelling within the walls.
The Castle was to become the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII’s second wife, who became Queen of England for just 1,000 days. It was Henry’s love for Anne and her insistence that she became his wife rather than his mistress that led to the King renouncing Catholicism and creating the Church of England.
Hever later passed into the ownership of another of Henry VIII’s wives, Anne of Cleves, and from 1557 onwards it was owned by a number of families including the Waldegraves, the Humphreys and the Meade Waldos.
Gradually it fell into decline before William Waldorf Astor invested time, money and imagination in restoring the Castle. He commissioned the ’Tudor Village’, now called the ‘Astor Wing’ and the construction of the magnificent gardens and lake. At Hever, his wealth and vision enabled him to create a lavish family home that also indulged his passion for history.
Please note: The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.
2024
7 Feb – 28 Mar, daily
29 Mar – 26 Oct, daily
27 Oct – 3 Nov, daily
4 Nov – 21 Nov, Wed – Sun
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 7 Feb 2024 and 21 Nov 2024 (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.
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: groups@hevercastle.co.uk
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: groups@hevercastle.co.uk
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking
- Hearing loops
- Large font signs and leaflets
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Access statement available
The Anne Boleyn Rose Portrait
Images credit Hever Castle.
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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