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 famous historic castle in England. It's located in the village of Hever, Kent, near Edenbridge. This beautiful place is about 30 miles (48 km) south-east of London.

Hever Castle started as a country house way back in the 13th century. From 1462 to 1539, it was the home of the important Boleyn family.

Anne Boleyn, who later became the second queen consort of King Henry VIII, spent her younger years here. Her father, Thomas Boleyn, inherited the castle in 1505. Later, the castle even belonged to King Henry VIII's fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.

Today, Hever Castle is a Grade I listed building. This means it's a very important historic site. It is currently owned by the Guthrie family's Broadland Properties.

History of Hever Castle
Visiting Hever Castle: Fun for Tourists
Gallery
See also

History of Hever Castle

Hever Castle has been built and changed over three main periods. Each period added something new to its story.

Early Beginnings: The 13th Century Castle

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

The Boleyn Family Home: Tudor Changes

By 1462, the castle needed repairs. It was then bought by Geoffrey Boleyn, who was the younger brother of Thomas Boleyn. Geoffrey turned the castle into a grand manor. He added a new Tudor-style house inside the old castle walls.

Geoffrey Boleyn's grandson, Thomas Boleyn, became the owner in 1505. He lived there with his wife, Lady Elizabeth Howard, and their children. Their children were George, Mary, and Anne. Anne later became the wife of King Henry VIII.

We don't know for sure if Anne Boleyn was born at Hever. But she definitely lived there until 1513. That's when she was sent to the Netherlands to study at the court of the Archduchess Margaret. King Henry VIII often visited the nearby Bolebroke Castle when he was trying to win Anne's heart.

Royal Ownership and Later Years

After Anne's father, Thomas Boleyn, passed away in 1539, King Henry VIII took ownership of the property. In 1540, he gave Hever 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 personal locks. He used to carry these locks with him. He would have them fitted to doors for his safety when he visited noblemen's homes.

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

Over the years, the castle had many different owners. These included the Waldegrave family from 1557 to 1715. Then came the Humfreys family until 1749. After them, the Meade-Waldo family owned it from 1749 to 1903. During this time, the castle started to fall apart. It was rented out to different people.

Modern Restoration: The Astor Family

In 1903, an American millionaire named William Waldorf Astor bought Hever Castle. He restored it and made it his family home. He added a "Tudor village" (also called the Astor Wing). He also created the beautiful Italian Garden to show off his collection of statues and decorations.

The castle was officially listed as a Grade I historic building on September 10, 1954. This happened after the Tudor village was added. The village was described as "a picturesque cluster of guest cottages."

In 1983, the Astor family sold the castle to John Guthrie. He was the chairman of Broadland Properties Limited, a family business.

Hever Castle in Film and TV

Hever Castle has been a filming location for many productions. In 2006, the choir Libera filmed a music video there. The Loggia, a building by the lake, was used for a peace conference scene in the TV show The Great. Other famous movies filmed at the castle include The Princess Bride and Inkheart.

Visiting Hever Castle: Fun for Tourists

Today, Hever Castle is a popular place for tourists. People love to visit because of its connections to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. The castle also has amazing mazes, beautiful gardens, and lovely lakes.

Events and Activities

Hever Castle hosts many events throughout the year. In the summer, you can watch exciting jousting tournaments and archery shows. Every September, there's an annual patchwork and quilting exhibition. The castle is also a venue for triathlon races and open water swimming events.

Inside the Castle

When you explore the castle, you'll find three floors filled with interesting things. There's antique furniture, Anne Boleyn's prayer books, and even some old instruments of torture. You can also see a large collection of Tudor paintings. There's also a museum dedicated to the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry.

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

Gardens and Mazes

The castle grounds are huge and full of fun things to explore. There's a yew maze that was planted in 1904. It's a fun challenge to find your way through!

In 1999, a water maze was opened. The goal is to reach the center without getting wet – but it's harder than it sounds! There's also a children's adventure playground with a tower maze.

The castle gardens are truly beautiful. They include an Italianate garden with a Fernery, lovely rose gardens, a herb garden, and amazing topiary (plants shaped into designs).

Staying Overnight

If you want to stay longer, Hever Castle offers overnight accommodation. There are 28 rooms available in a bed and breakfast style. You can have breakfast in the Astor wing or the Anne Boleyn wing. The castle also has three restaurants located in the gardens.