Hever Castle (KENT)

Accommodation at Hever is ‘top shelf’. We were a bit miffed that we had to share and change rooms initially (first world problem). On arrival we learned they had had a cancellation so we could have our own rooms but still had to change tomorrow night. Others at reception had the same situation.

When we saw our rooms we did a complete turnaround as the thought of checking out more of this lovely decor was something to look forward to. I had the twin room the first night and Candice took the cancellation room with its four poster bed so high she had to use steps to get in.

The second night the rooms were both doubles, still with interesting decor but perhaps 5 per cent less wow.

Hever Castle was established around 1200 by Walter de Hevere. The castle was built in 1383 during the period of The Hundred Years War with France. Geoffrey Boleyn purchased it in 1461. His granddaughter was Anne Boleyn who spent much of her childhood at Hever and married Henry VIII in 1533. Henry purchased Hever from James Boleyn for £200 in 1540.

Henry VIII left the leasehold of Hever to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleeves who oversaw some additions and improvements to Hever. After her death the property reverted to crown ownership and was sold.

The estate was some 1300 acres and was owned by several disinterested parties who leased it to local farmers. Jane Waldo inherited it around 1830 and took some interest hoping to turn it into a countryside holiday home.

After her death future owners paid little interest, although one tenant, a Captain Sebright made some major desperately needed restorations in the late 1800’s.

In 1903 Hever Castle was sold to William Waldorf Astor, a wealthy American tycoon, who created The Castle we see today. It is currently owned by a Yorkshire based, family run, property business ‘Broadland Properties Ltd. who purchased Hever from an Astor heir.

The buildings and gardens are now very well maintained. The Castle contains so much history of its many occupants. The second night we stayed at Hever my view was of the Castle lit up and it was truly something special. We loved our stay here in amazing and tasteful surroundings.

The gardens at Hever are also on another level. From the Tudor Garden to the 5 acre Italian Garden built to show case an incredible statuary and sculpture collection, from the huge lake and associated stream connections, the maze and the water maze, the spectacular rose gardens, the ferneries, and the vast gardens with lovely mature trees.

Like many of these historic gems, you could revisit and enjoy over and over. Our stay here was on a par with Scone Palace, in Perthshire, Scotland, where we stayed two years ago. Unimaginable bliss!Read more