The childhood home of Anne Boleyn
Hever Castle
The story
Hever Castle is where Anne Boleyn — the second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I — spent her childhood. The castle dates back to 1270, and its double-moated setting makes it one of the most romantic historic houses in England.
Inside you'll find Tudor portraits, a prayer book written in by Anne herself, and rooms furnished much as the Boleyn family would have known them. Outside, 125 acres of gardens include William Waldorf Astor's stunning Italian Gardens, a maze and a boating lake.
What you'll see
- Anne Boleyn's childhood rooms and her signed prayer book
- The double moat and working drawbridge
- 125 acres of award-winning gardens
- The water maze and Italian Gardens
Paul's take
"Hever is the house my visitors ask for most, and it never disappoints. I always suggest we allow plenty of time in the gardens — the Italian Gardens in late spring are something special, and the walk down to the lake is the quietest, prettiest part of the day."
Visit Hever Castle with Paul
Pair it with another of Kent's great houses and a country pub lunch — £299 for up to 4 people, your day, your way.