Hever Castle Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Hever Castle
Hever, Edenbridge, Kent
Hever Castle in 2014
Hever Castle
Coordinates	51°11′14″N 0°6′51″E / 51.18722°N 0.11417°E / 51.18722; 0.11417
Grid reference	grid reference TQ478452
Type	Castle
Site information
Owner	Broadland Properties Limited
Open to the public	Yes
Condition	Intact

The bedroom of Henry VIII at Hever Castle

Hever Castle is a historic castle located in the village of Hever, Kent, near Edenbridge, England. It's about 30 miles (48 km) south-east of London. The castle started as a country house in the 13th century.

From 1462 to 1539, Hever Castle was the home of the famous Boleyn family. Anne Boleyn, who later became the second queen of King Henry VIII, spent her childhood here. Her father, Thomas Boleyn, inherited the castle in 1505.

After the Boleyn family, the castle was owned by King Henry VIII himself. He later gave it to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. Today, Hever Castle is a beautiful and popular tourist attraction. It is owned by the Guthrie family's Broadland Properties.

Castle History
Visiting Hever Castle
Gallery
See also

Castle History

Hever Castle has a long and interesting history. It was built in three main stages over many centuries.

Early Beginnings

The oldest part of the castle was built around 1270. This included the main gatehouse and a walled area called a bailey. At this time, it was owned by James Fiennes, 1st Baron Saye and Sele.

Boleyn Family Home

In 1462, the castle was bought by Geoffrey Boleyn. He was the great-grandfather of Anne Boleyn. Geoffrey turned the old castle into a comfortable manor house. He added a Tudor-style home inside the existing walls.

His grandson, Thomas Boleyn, inherited Hever Castle in 1505. He lived there with his wife, Lady Elizabeth Howard, and their children. These children included George, Mary, and Anne. Anne later became queen to Henry VIII.

Anne Boleyn lived at Hever Castle during her early years. In 1513, she left to study in the Netherlands. King Henry VIII often visited a nearby castle, Bolebroke Castle, when he was trying to win Anne's affection.

Royal Ownership

After Anne's father, Thomas Boleyn, passed away in 1539, Hever Castle became property of King Henry VIII. In 1540, the King gave the castle to Anne of Cleves. This was part of their agreement after their marriage was ended.

Hever Castle still has one of King Henry VIII's special private locks. He would bring these locks with him when he visited other noblemen's homes. He used them to make sure his doors were secure.

Hever Castle from the Moat, painted around 1850 by David Cox Jr.

Later Owners and Restoration

Over the years, many different families owned Hever Castle. From 1557 to 1715, it belonged to the Waldegrave family. Later, it was owned by the Humfreys and then the Meade-Waldo families. During these years, the castle became quite run down.

In 1903, an American millionaire named William Waldorf Astor bought Hever Castle. He spent a lot of money and time restoring it. He made it a beautiful family home once again. Astor also added a "Tudor village" of guest cottages and a lovely Italian Garden. He used the garden to show off his collection of statues.

In 1983, the Astor family sold the castle to John Guthrie. His family business, Broadland Properties Limited, owns it today.

Visiting Hever Castle

Hever Castle is now a very popular place for tourists to visit. People come to learn about its history, especially its connections to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. They also enjoy the castle's mazes, gardens, and lakes.

Fun Activities

The castle hosts many events throughout the year. In the summer, you can often see exciting jousting tournaments and archery shows. There are also special exhibitions, like a patchwork and quilting show in September. Hever Castle is also a venue for triathlons and open water swimming races.

Inside the Castle

Inside the castle, you can explore three floors. You will see old furniture, Anne Boleyn's prayer books, and a large collection of Tudor paintings. There is also a museum about the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry, a local military group.

You can still see parts of the original 13th-century country house inside the stone walls. The gatehouse is the only part of the castle that remains from its very first construction. It has the oldest working original portcullis (a heavy gate that slides down) in England.

Gardens and Mazes

The castle grounds are huge and beautiful. They include a large hedge maze made of yew trees, planted in 1904. There is also a fun water maze, which opened in 1999. The goal of the water maze is to reach the center without getting wet! There is also a tower maze in the children's adventure playground.

The castle gardens have many different styles. These include an Italianate garden with a Fernery, beautiful rose gardens, a herb garden, and amazing topiary (plants shaped into designs).

If you want to stay longer, Hever Castle offers 28 bed and breakfast rooms. There are also three restaurants located in the gardens where you can enjoy a meal.