Hever Castle has many claims to fame.
Its glorious gardens set in 125 acres of grounds; its remarkable restoration by William Waldorf Astor; as a retreat for the British wartime leader Winston Churchill. But this 14th-century building in the Kent countryside is best known as the castle of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I.
Hever Castle is set in rural countryside on the Kent/Surrey/Sussex border, southeast of the capital, and is an easy and rewarding day trip from London. Here’s how to do it and what to expect.
Visiting Hever Castle: Essential Information
My Hever Castle Day Trip
I started my day out at Hever Castle in the Moat Cafe for a much-needed coffee and a homemade sausage roll. This is open year-round, and sells excellent coffee, cold drinks and hot and cold food.
The Guthrie Pavilion Café and Waterside Bar in the gardens have seasonal opening hours. There were also a few food trucks when I visited
I entered Hever Castle through the Medieval Gatehouse and the outer bailey, which date back to the 14th century. The Boleyn family were responsible for the timber-framed Tudor additions built in the 15th and 16th centuries.
An interactive audiotour was included with the entrance ticket, which provided enough information, but not too much. There were also information boards in the rooms.
Arrows guided me on a prescribed route through 500 years of the castle’s history, starting on the lower floor before moving upstairs.
The Astors at Hever Castle
In the early 20th century, William Waldorf Astor used a tenth of his $100 million fortune to save the Castle from ruin. No expense was spared, and no detail was overlooked as Astor’s workmen strived to use the same materials and tools as Tudor and Elizabethan craftsmen.
Much of the ground floor looks like it did in Astor’s time.
Inner Hall is the first room you enter. This was the Great Kitchen in the Tudor period and has intricately carved panels and walnut columns.
Hever Castle’s Drawing Room was designed by the architect Frank Loughborough Pearson and has oak panelling inlaid with bog oak and holly. In the Tudor period, this space was split into five rooms. I love that William Waldorf Astor converted the redundant medieval defensive tower in this room into a cocktail cabinet.
The former Tudor administrative offices were transformed into the Library in 1905.
Winston Churchill at Hever Castle
The Astors entertained many famous figures at Hever Castle, not least of whom was Sir Winston Churchill. He served as Prime Minister from 1940 – 1945 and again from 1951 – 1955.
He lived at nearby Chartwell and shared a love of art with John Jacob Astor V, William Waldorf’s son. Churchill found inspiration in Hever’s Italian Garden, and one of his paintings hangs in the Castle.
Anne Boleyn’s Castle
The Boleyns owned Hever Castle from 1462 until 1540, one of several grand properties they acquired in their rise to fame and fortune. Anne Boleyn spent much of her early life here.
From the outside, the Castle has changed little, and the layout of the major rooms is unaltered. The Boleyn apartments on the upper floor have been restored to their early 16th-century splendour.
The Boleyns would have entertained publicly in the Great Hall, kept warm by a roaring fire.
Look at the ornate locks on the wooden doors as you enter the room. Henry VIII travelled with his own locks, which he applied to his bedchamber for security reasons. Astor purchased one of these locks when he renovated the Castle.
It is thought that Thomas and Elizabeth Boleyn – Anne Boleyn’s parents – would have slept in the Best Bedchamber. Anne probably stayed here during the love scandal years of her relationship with the king (c. 1526-1528).
Although Henry VIII is thought to have visited Hever Castle during his courtship with Anne Boleyn, it is unlikely he spent the night here. In all likelihood, Henry VIII’s Bedchamber was a servant’s dormitory, due to its location over the kitchens.
The Book of Hours Room would have also been part of the servants’ dormitory and houses illuminated manuscripts protected in glass cases. Dating from around 1527, it is thought that Anne Boleyn took a small prayer book – a Book of Hours – to the Tower of London as she awaited her fate.
She wrote this poignant rhyming couplet inside the book:
Remember me when you do pray that hope doth led from day to day
Anne Boleyn
Exploring Hever Castle Gardens
Although the Castle is good, the gardens are superb. Astor renovated and expanded them, transforming the landscape by combining English and Italianate styles with his trademark attention to detail and artistry.
Beyond the formal gardens are woodland walks, tranquil ponds and extensive lawns that blend with the surrounding Kent countryside. The Castle’s topiary work is superb.
If I were to visit again, I would be tempted to bring a packed lunch and eat it in the gardens (I saw other visitors doing this).
Italian Garden
If you only have time to explore one area of the Castle’s grounds, make it the Italian Garden.
Designed to display his collection of Italian sculpture, this formal garden is meticulously landscaped and features Classical columns, fountains and statues. Covering four acres, it’s a peaceful, elegant space for strolling, with shaded walkways and beautifully maintained flower beds.
Its centrepiece is the Loggia, an impressive terrace with a monumental fountain that overlooks a large lake.
Rose Garden
Hever Castle’s Rose Garden is at its best during the summer months when it bursts into full bloom. That said, when I visited in September, it still looked impressive.
Tudor Garden
The Tudor Garden pays homage to the Castle’s historical roots with elements characteristic of 16th-century gardens. These include formal, geometric layouts, trimmed hedges and decorative topiary.
The standout feature is the unique Tudor Chess Set, an extraordinarily large-scale garden chessboard with pieces carved from golden yew. Each chess piece is designed to resemble a figure from the Tudor period, with kings, queens, knights and pawns styled in the fashion of Tudor courtiers.
Be amazed at Hever Castle Gardens
If you have a taste for adventure, there are not one, but two mazes.
The Yew Maze is a traditional hedge maze, dating back over 100 years. But I preferred the quirky Water Maze, where you have to try to reach the centre without getting splashed by hidden water jets.
A Stop in Hever Village
I paused in Hever Village before catching the train back to London.
Hever Church, formally known as St Peter’s Church, dates back to the 13th century and served the spiritual needs of the Boleyn family during their time at the Castle. It houses the tomb of Thomas Boleyn.
There’s the aptly named King Henry VIII pub that serves food (it has a lovely beer garden).
Enjoy your day out in Hever Castle
I hope that you love it as much as I did. If you are looking for more day trip inspiration, take a look at my guide to the best places to visit near London.
Happy travels!
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.