Kent has more than its fair share of castles and Hever Castle is one of the oldest and most fascinating. Dating back to 1270, it consisted at that time of a gatehouse and walled bailey. The Tudor building was added in the early 1500s and was the home of Anne Boleyn as a child. It passed through many noble families until in 1903 William Waldorf Astor bought it, restored the Castle, the spectacular gardens and lake and built a ‘Tudor Village’.
Exploring the Castle today, it has a homely atmosphere with many Tudor portraits, furniture and tapestries. Two of the main features are the Books of Hours, which are beautiful, colourfully illustrated prayer books, both signed by Anne Boleyn. King Henry’s Lock and the Waldgrave Room are both wonderful pieces of history to learn about. The Long Gallery has costumed figures of Henry VIII and his six wives and the Council Chamber has a fine collection of historic swords, armour, instruments of execution, discipline and even torture! Outdoors the gardens are wonderful to explore and have a Yew Maze and a fun Water Maze.
Location: Hever, near Edenbridge
|
|
|
