Monday 11 March 2019

Hever Castle


Hever Castle is located in the village of Hever, near Edenbridge in Kent. It was originally built in the 13th century as a country house. Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn is surrounded by beautiful gardens set in 125 acres of glorious grounds. It is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in history of this magnificent Castle and to absorb the beauty of the stunning gardens.

The oldest part of the castle is the gatehouse and walled bailey which dates back to 1270. In 1462 Geoffrey Boleyn added a Tudor dwelling within the walls converting it into a Manor. In 1505 Thomas Boleyn inherited the castle from his grandfather Geoffrey and lived there with his wife and three children. His daughter Anne married Henry VIII and after the death of Thomas in 1539 Henry came into possession of the castle bestowing it upon Anne of Cleeves in 1540 as part of the annulment settlement. 

From 1557 to 1715 the castle was owned by the Waldegrave family, the Humphrey's family until 1749 and the Meade Waldo family from 1749 to 1903. By 1903 the castle had fallen into a poor state of repair and was acquired by William Waldorf Astor, an Americam Millioinaire, who restored the castle and added the Italian Garden using it as a family residence. In 1983 the castle was sold and opened to the public.

The magnificent gardens are set in 125 acres of glorious grounds which include a 38-acre lake, Italian Garden, Tudor Garden and fabulous rose displays, a maze and wonderful, peaceful woodland. 









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