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Hotels near Hever Castle
Brook Hotels have one hotel near Hever Castle, Kent.
Royal Oak Hotel, Sevenoaks
is approx. 9 miles from Hever Castle.
Hever Castle, Kent
Located in the small village of Hever in Kent is Hever Castle - an attractive fortified
manor house surrounded by a moat and set within 125 acres of gardens. The original
castle was built in 1270 and consisted of a massive gatehouse and walled bailey
which is approached by a wooden drawbridge.
In the early 1500s the Bullen family bought the castle, added a Tudor dwelling within
the walls and it became the childhood home of its most famous inhabitant, Anne Boleyn,
future wife of King Henry VIII and mother of Queen Elizabeth I. After she was executed
by Henry VIII, the castle was later passed into the ownership of his fourth wife,
Anne of Cleves. She remained at Hever Castle until her death in 1557, when the castle
was bought by the Waldegraves. Since 1983, the castle has been owned by Broadland
Properties Limited and open to the public.
Hever Castle has a warm and homely atmosphere and houses historic 16th century Tudor
portraits, furniture and tapestries. A recently acquired rare 16th century portrait
of Catherine Howard, the 5th wife of Henry VIII hangs in the Long Gallery alongside
a temporary exhibition 'Losing Your Head Over Henry'. Also in the Long Gallery are
figures in costume of Henry VIII and his six wives.
Other artefacts include two Anne Boleyn Books of Hours, personal prayer books, both
signed and inscribed by Anne Boleyn and in the thirteenth century gatehouse; the
Council Chamber contains collections of historic swords, armour, instruments of
execution and torture. Comprehensive information on the history of Hever Castle
can be found in the guide book and audio tours which are available from the Hever
Shop, Visitor Centre or castle entrance.
Outside visitors can explore the wonderful 125 acre gardens, laid out between 1904
and 1908 by Joseph Cheal & Son which includes a series of separate gardens. One
of these is the magnificent Italian Garden, designed to display William Waldorf
Astor's collection of Italian sculpture on a 30 acre plot of classical and natural
landscape with over 3,000 plants. The Tudor Garden, Rhododendron Walk and Anne Boleyn's
Walk with its collection of trees planted over 100 years ago, are all ideal for
a stroll through.
Around the gardens are many water features and a fairly recent Millennium Fountain
which can be found on Sixteen Acre Island. The gardens contain many activities to
keep all amused. The enclosed wooden adventure playground is suitable for children
up to the age of 14 and is guaranteed to keep the children entertained.
The Yew Maze was planted in 1906, is one of only a few traditionally designed mazes
in the country and measures eighty feet by eighty feet. Its hedges reach eight feet
in height and there is almost a quarter of a mile of pathways inside. There is also
a splashing water maze, built on Sixteen Acre Island which consists of a series
of stepping stone walkways sitting over water. The stones tilt when stood on and
hidden water jets spring into action to soak the unwary visitor. The aim is to reach
the stone grotto in the centre without getting wet and this unique feature is especially
popular with the children. Rowing boats are available to hire so that you can enjoy
the huge lake and throughout the year Hever Castle hosts a number of special events
including gardening events and Jousting Tournaments each summer.
Address
Hever Castle
Hever
near Edenbridge
Kent
TN8 7NG
Official website
www.hevercastle.co.uk
Hotels Near Hever Castle...
Royal Oak Hotel In Sevenoaks
 Royal Oak Hotel
High Street
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 1HY
Tel: 01732 451109
Fax: 01732 740187
» Check Availability at: Royal Oak Hotel
» Brochure at:
Royal Oak Hotel
Distance from Hever Castle: 8.8 Miles
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