Hever Castle: All You Need To Know In 5 Minutes

Since 1271, Hever Castle has stood proud within the tiny English village of Hever in Kent. The grand castle is saturated in rich history and its stories and secrets permeate throughout its walls. Originally built as a country house, the castle later became the seat of the Boleyn family between 1462 and 1539. Today, Hever Castle is open to the public. For any history enthusiasts who want to see a personal side of the Tudor period, visiting Hever Castle is an opportunity not to be missed. Read below for everything you need to know about Hever Castle.

Hever Castle Main Attractions

Yew Maze

© Photo by Hever Castle

Enjoy the challenge of finding the best way out of the sculpted hedges of the 100-year old Yew Maze. The eighty-foot by eighty-foot puzzle provides huge amounts of entertainment and fun to all visitors, young and old. As one of only a few traditionally designed mazes in the United Kingdom, the Yew Maze is certainly a feature that one has to experience when visiting Hever Castle.

Water Maze

Splash about the water maze to be found deep within the grounds of Hever Castle. The Water Maze is a conundrum with a difference! The maze is comprised of stepping stone walkways sitting over a peaceful pool of water. At intervals, the stones tilt and hidden water jets spurt out streams of water to soak the unwitting visitor. The goal of the game is to get to the middle without getting wet. Although there have only been a lucky few to achieve this, the maze provides endless amounts of entertainment and laughter to visitors of all ages. Make sure you don’t fall in!

Boating

Soak in the beauty and serenity of the peaceful lake that is situated within Hever Castle. Rent a canoe, rowing boat or pedalo from the Edwardian boathouse and glide serenely along the lake and take in the stunning views of the lake and its surroundings. 

How to Get To Hever Castle

For visitors travelling by car, the castle’s postcode is TN8 7NG. Hever Castle is located in the village of Hever, 30 miles from Central London, 3 miles southeaster of Edenbridge off the B2026 between Sevenoaks and East Grinstead.

Trains run from London Victoria and London Bridge (via Oxted or East Croydon) to Edenbridge Town Station. Take a taxi from the station for three miles to the castle. Hever Station is the next stop on the train route. However, due to no taxi facilities at the station, it is a one-mile rural walk to the castle with guided signposts directing the route.

Hever Castle Opening Hours

The grounds of Hever Castle open from 10:30am and the castle itself opens at 12:00 noon. The last entry to the castle and grounds during the main season (31st March – 26th October) is at 16:30 with the final exit of visitors scheduled to be approximately 18:00.

During the winter season (27th October – 22nd November), last entry to Hever Castle is 15:00 with the last exit at 16:30. During the Christmas season (23rd November to 23rd December), doors close at 16:30 with the last exit scheduled to take place approximately at 18:00.

This is with the exception of 24th December and 27th December to the 1st January, where doors close at 15:00 and last exit at 16:30.

Hever Castle Tickets & Guided Tours

Ticket Prices

There are four separate categories of ticket types when visiting Hever Castle. Visitors may choose to visit the castle and gardens or the gardens only. However, ticket prices differ when either buying tickets on entry to the castle on the day or pre-ordering online. 

Any serving members, veterans and their families of the Armed Forces may be able to receive special discounts at certain times throughout the year.

Guided Tours

Guided tours are also available. For a private guided tour across the castle and garden, a single ticket is £30.90. A Head Gardener ticket costs £19.05 each. For the Sensory Garden Tour, tickets are £19.05 each and tickets for the ‘classic’ Garden Tour are £17.00 each. Tickets for the The Garden History Tour is also £17.00 each. Lastly, the Hidden Hever Tour is £65.00 each. The Hidden Hever Tour is only available for groups up to 15 people.

Hever Castle Dining Options

Moat Restaurant

© Photo by Hever Castle

Whether if you’re wanting to treat yourself to a quick cup of Joe or a full-fledged meal, the Moat Restaurant is the best place to dine and drink with all the family in tow. With a diverse menu of hot food, sandwiches and cake, there is something for everyone.

Pizza Van

Take in the stunning sights of the grounds of Hever Castle and munch on a slice of pizza while you’re at it. Offering a range of topping choices on deliciously authentic, freshly made wood-fired pizzas, Hever’s Pizza Van is nestled cosily within the grounds of Hever Castle, readily available for any history enthusiasts with a weakness for the Italian food.

Accommodation At Hever Castle

Hever Castle B&B

There is no need to book a hotel when you can stay within the grounds that Anne Boleyn herself once called home. The Hever Castle B&B offers 28 luxury bedrooms in the Astor Wing and Anne Boleyn Wing. Both Edwardian wings decorated in the traditional Tudor fashion, the rooms offer guests to enjoy a luxury overnight experience with a difference. With a Billiards Room and a beautiful panelled lounge in the Astor Wing and a stunning spacious Breakfast Room with natural light located in the Anne Boleyn Wing, the Hever Castle B&B provides guests with the opportunity to stay within the gorgeous surroundings of Hever Castle and enjoy the amenities and views that the castle and its grounds has to offer.

Tourist Attractions Near Hever Castle

Hever Castle Golf Club

© Photo by Hever Castle

Enjoy the other reason why Hever Castle is so popular: the golfing! As one of the best golf clubs in Kent and only one mile away from the castle entrance, The Hever Castle Golf Club offers a 27-hole golf course for all golf enthusiasts of all abilities. Whilst putting and playing, golfers can also enjoy the stunning sights of the lush greenery and placid lakes that the Hever Castle Golf Club offers.

KSY Military Museum

© Photo by Hever Castle

If you happen to be a collector of military knowledge, then the KSY Military Museum is an opportunity not to be missed. Located on the grounds of Hever Castle, visitors can learn about the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry through interactive displays that allows the stories of soldiers from 1794 to the present day truly come to life. Visitors can also spectate at the detailed reconstruction of a World War I trench equipped with sound effects and the interior of a World War II Cromwell tank turret. For authenticity, the museum is designed to resemble a military operations tent, so that visitors feel as if they have been transported through time to observe the true military experience of the past and present of the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry.

Final Thoughts on Hever Castle

For any history buffs with a specific interest in the Tudor period, Hever Castle is an inimitable opportunity to spectate and observe a different and more personal facet to the period. The museum provides visitors with the opportunity to learn interesting facts and acquire detailed knowledge about the Tudor era, Anne Boleyn and her relationship with Henry VIII. Hever Castle is located within grounds that are not only rich in history, but also a gorgeous spectacle to admire and appreciate.