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 and a Splashing Water Maze.
- Location:
- Situated in the village of Hever, 3 miles East of Edenbridge. Exit M25 junction 5 or 6 and follow the signs
- Address:
- Hever Castle, Hever, Nr Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG
- Access:
- Open to the public. Admission fee.
- Website:
- For further information visit www.hevercastle.co.uk
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