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Hever Castle South East England
  Hever, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7NG Privately Owned  
Hever Castle

Hever Castle is an attractive fortified manor house surrounded by a moat. The original moated castle was built in 1270 and consisted of a massive gatehouse and a walled bailey, approached by a wooden drawbridge. In the late 15th century the castle became the home of the Bullen family who built a comfortable Tudor house within the walls. The castle was the childhood home of Anne Bullen (Boleyn), future wife of King Henry VIII and mother of Queen Elizabeth I. After failing to provide Henry with the son he wanted, she was executed on a trumped-up charge of High Treason. Following the death of her father two years later, Henry seized the castle and gave it to Anne of Cleves, his fourth wife. She remained at Hever Castle until her death in 1557, when the castle was bought by the Waldegraves. Sir Edward Waldegrave became the first Baronet of Hever Castle in 1642.

Between 1749 and 1903 the castle was owned by the Meade-Waldos, but by the end of the 19th century the castle was in a state of neglect. In 1903, the wealthy American, William Waldorf, purchased Hever castle and commenced an extensive restoration of the castle, the creation of the lake and gardens and the construction of a Tudor style village to provide more accommodation.

Visitors can view the restored castle and explore the gardens, which also contain a Yew Maze, a Splashing Water Maze and an adventure playground.

Information
Please contact the property or visit their official website for the latest opening times and price of admission www.hevercastle.co.uk
Telephone Number Tel: 01732 865224
mail@hevercastle.co.uk
Parking There is a car park
Toilets There are toilets and baby changing facilities
Shop There are a selection of shops
Food & Drink There are two self-service restaurants
Picnics Suitable for picnics
Dogs Dogs are permitted in the grounds on leads only
Guided Tours Stewards are on duty at all times within the castle and are pleased to assist and answer questions
Audio Tour No audio tour
Disabled

Gardens: Most of the gardens are accessible to wheelchairs as they are mainly on one level and the majority of steps are ramped. The paths are gravel, tarmac or stone. The water maze on 'Sixteen Acre Island' is also accessible for wheelchairs.

Castle: The steps into the Inner Courtyard make access into the castle difficult as there are no ramps. The ground floor only is accessible to wheelchairs as there are spiral staircases to other floors.

Facilities: There is wheelchair access to both restaurants, the Book Shop, Gift Shop and the Miniature Model Houses exhibition. There are toilet facilities for the disabled near the Entrance Lodge, in the Moat Restaurant and next to the Pavilion Restaurant.

Admission: All wheelchair bound visitors are admitted free of charge to the castle and gardens. Those pushing or accompanying wheelchair users will be charged admission at the normal rate.

Hire of Wheelchairs: A limited number of wheelchairs are available for a refundable deposit at the Gift Shop. It is advisable to book these prior to a visit.

Guide Dogs: Guide dogs for the blind and hearing dogs for the deaf are admitted into all facilities including the castle.

Parking: Cars and minibuses are able to park in a designated area near to the Moat Restaurant. Please ask on arrival.

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