Hever Castle
Kent, England
Photo: Christoph Matthias Siebenborn, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christoph Matthias Siebenborn, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Hever Castle Ltd (Guthrie family)
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Nearest station
- Hever, 0.9 miles (straight-line)
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
- Note
- B&B in Astor Wing
Pinpoint
Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG
Telephone 01732 865224
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM |
The childhood home of Anne Boleyn, restored at the turn of the 20th century by the Astor family, who added the lakeside gardens and the Tudor-style Astor Wing that now runs as a B&B. It's less a single visit than a full day out - moated castle, extensive gardens, mazes, and play areas - and reviewers who've stayed overnight rate the B&B breakfast as highly as the castle tour itself.
At a glance
Who to know
Anne Boleyn · the castle was her childhood home
Worth the trip
The gardens - Italian, rose, and lakeside, added by the Astors and consistently the thing repeat visitors say keeps improving year on year.
Before you go
Book the Astor Wing B&B directly with the estate if you want to stay on-site, and set aside a full day - the grounds alone (mazes, play areas, water gardens) can easily take as long as the castle.
What visitors say
Hever Castle reviews · 4.8 / 5 across 13,800 Google reviews
Recent reviewers were all highly positive about Hever, repeatedly praising the beautifully maintained gardens (especially the Italian Garden), the well-run castle tour and audio guide, and its Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII history.
Several also highlighted good food options and, for those staying overnight, a comfortable B&B experience.
No notable complaints appear in this review set.
“A beautiful setting with history spanning several centuries. The gardens were unexpected and welcoming. Although we didn't visit with children, there were several well equipped play areas that would keep them…”- Warren Larkins, visitor review
Within reach of London (24 miles), Southend-on-Sea (36 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Getting in - what Hever Castle Ltd (Guthrie family) says
Award-winning gardens and multiple visitor facilities. Accessibility information available; site mentions accessible features including adventure playground and multiple on-site venues.
Taken from Hever Castle Ltd (Guthrie family)’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
Weddings at Hever Castle
Hever Castle is on our wedding roll because Hever Castle Ltd (Guthrie family) mentions weddings on their own site. Visit their site.
Comparing options? See every castle wedding venue in England, or the full UK wedding roll.
Dates, capacity, licensing and exclusivity change constantly and we hold none of it - treat this as a starting point and speak to the venue before you plan anything around it.
History
James Fiennes · 1270
Hever Castle dates to 1270 and served as the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. William Waldorf Astor restored the castle comprehensively in 1903, adding the Tudor-style Astor Wing and celebrated Italian gardens.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Plan your visit
- Combine this with
- Chiddingstone Castle is only 1.2 miles away - worth pairing into the same day. See Chiddingstone Castle →
- Tickets & opening times
- Check current prices and hours with the operator before travelling - details change more often than any directory can track.
- Data checked
- Ratings, review counts and the visitor-note quotes above were drawn from publicly available Google reviews. Castles change hands and adjust hours faster than any directory can track in real time.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Guided tours
- “They offer an audio guide as well, which made the visit even more convenient and informative.” - Rifa Adelisa
- How long to allow
- “It was such a peaceful walk that we didn’t even realise it would take us around 1 to 1.45 hour to explore the grounds.” - Rifa Adelisa
- Facilities
- “Ice cream and cafe dots are placed in each corner which is very handy, as well as toilets.” - Dorota Trapl
For your stay
As an Amazon Associate we keep the site funded from qualifying purchases. More on how this works →
gear
LEGO Creator 3in1 Medieval Horse Knight Castle Toy
1,371 pieces that rebuild three ways - castle, joust scene or town - with six minifigures, for age 9 and up. Something for the kids to enjoy during a family day out at Hever Castle.
Find it on Amazon
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Amazon Basics Picnic Blanket with Waterproof Backing (Leaf Design)
200x200cm with a waterproof backing - big enough for a family group to sit on grass that's rarely as dry as it looks around a British ruin. A good fit for a wander through the gardens.
Find it on Amazon
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Mountain Warehouse Pace 20L Rucksack
A packaway rain cover is tucked into the base - worth having on a site with no cover between the car park and the gatehouse. Keeps things to hand during a full day exploring the castle.
Find it on Amazon
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Columbia Men's Crestwood Low Rise Trekking And Hiking Shoes
More tread than a trainer without a boot's weight - useful on the grassy banks and gravel paths around a ruin's outer walls. Solid underfoot for a walk round the grounds.
Find it on AmazonCommon questions about Hever Castle
Where is Hever Castle?
Hever Castle is in Kent, England, at Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG.
Do you need a ticket to visit Hever Castle?
Yes - Hever Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Hever Castle Ltd (Guthrie family). Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Can you stay overnight at Hever Castle?
Yes - Hever Castle offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the castle itself or within its grounds. See the Castles You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
What is the highlight of visiting Hever Castle?
The gardens - Italian, rose, and lakeside, added by the Astors and consistently the thing repeat visitors say keeps improving year on year.
Is Hever Castle a ruin or still intact?
Hever Castle is largely intact - B&B in Astor Wing.
