Welcome to Stately Homes

Hever Castle dates back to the 13th century and is best known as the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. In the Castle's history there have been three main periods of construction. The oldest part of the Castle being built in 1270, consisted of a massive Gatehouse together with a walled Bailey surrounded by a moat and approached via a wooden drawbridge.

Two hundred years later, around 1505, the Bullen family, who had acquired the Castle in 1462, added a comfortable Tudor dwelling house inside the protective wall.

This was the beginning of the glory days for Hever Castle, although sadly short-lived when Anne Boleyn (Bullen) failed to produce a son and heir for King Henry VIII. The rest, as they say, is history.

Despite the fact Hever Castle had been the home of two queens (Anne Boleyn and Anne of Cleves) the Castle slowly fell into disrepair until finally, in 1903, the Castle was bought by an American, William Waldorf Astor. With a keen appreciation for quality and a true respect of history he set about restoring the Castle and Gardens, lavishing millions of dollars of his personal fortune filling it with treasures, building the 100 room Tudor Village and creating the Gardens and lake making Hever Castle what it is today.

Opening Times - 2010:

Main Season:
3rd - 31st March: Wednesday - Sunday, Gardens open 10.30 am - 4 pm. Castle open 12 noon . Last admission 4 pm with final exit is at 5 pm.
1st April - 31st October: Daily, Gardens open 10.30 am - 5 pm. Castle open 12 noon . Last admission 5 pm with final exit is at 6 pm.

Winter: 1st November - 24th December: Thursday - Sunday. Castle, Christmas Shop and restaurant only. The Castle opens at 12 noon. Last admission is at 3 pm with final exit at 4 pm.

3rd - 20th December: Thursday - Sunday. The Gardens open at 11 am. The Castle at 12 noon. Last admission is at 3 pm with final exit is at 4 pm.

Please note that the Yew Maze and the Water Maze open Easter - October only weather permitting.

We regret that pushchairs are not permitted inside the Castle.

Admission Prices - 2010:
Castle & Gardens
Adult - £13
Child (5-14yrs) - £7
Seniors - £11
Family (2+2) - £33

Gardens Only
Adult - £10.50
Child (5-14yrs) - £6.50
Seniors - £9
Family (2+2) - £27.50

Corporate Events, Fine Dining and Accommodation

The 1st Viscount Astor of Hever built the Tudor Village as a splendid country house extension to the Castle to accommodate his family and guests. It is built to the exact style of the Tudor period. The rooms are internally linked by corridors and enjoy modern day comforts and facilities.

The unique atmosphere of the Tudor Village at Hever Castle provides a complete range of separate and exclusive use facilities for residential and day conferences, group incentive travel, corporate entertainment, product launches, receptions and private dining.

Tudor Village Tariff: (All prices quoted are exclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated). For Corporate Enquiries - Click Here.

Accommodation:
£130 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin bedded room
£150 for single occupancy

Room Hire: Exclusive use of the Dining Hall of Hever Castle £1175
Maximum of 40 guests
Exclusive use of the Tudor Suite Dining Hall £350
Maximum of 64 guests

Private Dining:
Buffet Luncheon from £25.00 per person
Three Course from £38.00 per person
Four Course from £42.00 per person
Afternoon Tea from £12.50 per person

Wedding Receptions:
Wedding Receptions may be held in the Tudor Suite for a maximum of 64 guests. Please note that they also hold a civil ceremony licence.
There is a facility fee of £950 including VAT for a five-hour period

Administrators

Day Visitor Manager: Sarah Lewis
Tudor Village Manager: Mr David Jennings

More information on this garden can be found on The Gardens Guide.