VISIT HEVER CASTLE & GARDENS THIS SUMMER TO ENJOY AN ENTERTAINING PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES SET AMIDST AWARD-WINNING GARDENS.
VISITKENT
ENJOY A SUMMER OF FAMILY FUN AT HEVER CASTLE
VISIT HEVER CASTLE & GARDENS THIS SUMMER TO ENJOY AN ENTERTAINING PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES SET AMIDST AWARD-WINNING GARDENS.
Discover 700 years of history in the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. The splendid rooms of the doublemoated castle contain fine furniture, tapestries, antiques, an important collection of Tudor paintings and two prayer books inscribed and signed by Anne Boleyn herself.
Today, much of what you see is the result of the remarkable efforts of William Waldorf Astor, who in the early 20th century used his fortune to restore and extend the castle and transform the garden.
At a time when many grand gardens in England still bore the unmistakable legacy of Capability Brown, Hever Castle’ s gardens broke the mould. Astor’ s passion for the Tudors and love for Italy, resulted in an eclectic garden design that is recognised today as one of the great gardens of the world. Each area of the gardens has its own style and character, from the magnificent Italian Garden, which leads to the majestic Loggia overlooking a 38- acre lake, to the Tudor Garden and walled Rose Garden containing over 4,000 fragrant roses.
MAIN EVENTS THIS SUMMER
The Knights of Royal England will once again delight crowds with the annual Summer Jousting Tournament, taking place on July 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd, 29th and 30th, as well as August 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 25th and 28th.
Discover what life was like when English archers ruled the battlefield, learn about the history of the bow and its use in Tudor times and wander among the encampments as part of Tudor Tales on 22nd and 23rd July.
Kids can experience what it was like to grow up and serve in a royal household in medieval time during Knights & Princesses School( from July 22nd to August 28th). At the end of each session, children will take part in a fun sword practise activity before receiving their‘ Knight School Certificate’ and being officiated as knights and princesses of Hever.
Enjoy a weekend dedicated to our four legged friends on August 5th-6th with Castle Canines – with informative displays and entertainment on offer, you can also enter your pooch into a dog show, complete with rosettes for the winners in each category.
Don’ t forget to visit the Water Maze, which consists of a series of concentric stepping stone walkways sitting over water, or the 100-year-old Yew Maze, as well as‘ Havea-Go’ Archery * and boating * on the 38-acre lake(* additional charge, only available during weekends and school holidays).
Brand new for 2017: Tudor Tower Adventure Playground
A new adventure playground, Tudor Towers, aimed at children aged 7-14, is due to open at the end of this month. Bigger than a four-bedroom house, the nine-metre tall castle will have its own moat, drawbridge and three turrets, as well as three slides, two poles and lots of interactive elements split into three houses: Hawk, Bull and Squirrel.
Children can experience a castle under siege with one side incomplete as if it’ s been attacked, with a cargo net to climb, noises of archers, a drawbridge and 10 model knights to battle past. In addition, instruments to play and a roof maze to solve, as well as hidden boxes to find, mean it is sure to entertain everyone from the younger child to the teenager.
For more information and timings go to www. hevercastle. co. uk / whats-on.
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