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Pictures of Hever

in the county of Kent

About Hever

The beautiful town of Hever is dominated by the magnificent moated castle that was the girlhood home of Anne Boleyn who was the second ill-fated wife of King Henry VIII.

The oldest part of this historic castle dates 1270 when it was little more than a fortified farmhouse. The Bullen family purchased it in the early 1500's and it is they who built the comfortable crenellated mansion that became the romantic castle we see today. Anne gave King Henry a daughter who later became Queen Elizabeth Ist but Henry soon tired of Anne when he realised she was unlikely to provide him with the son and heir that he craved. Henry quickly disposed of Anne and in time this great castle passed into the possession of Henry's 4th wife, Anne of Cleeves.

Hever Castle, and the 14th-century church of St.Peter have remained very much at the heart of this town which receives visitors form all over the world. Within the church , in the chancel is a 15th-century brass to a Lady but of greater importance is the one on an alter-tomb in the north chapel to Sir Thomas Boleyn, the father of Anne Boleyn who died in the year 1538. He lies with his head rested on his helmet and is resplendent in full gater robes.

To not visit this historic castle and church is to miss out on a rich and varied chapter in English history which stretches back over many centuries. The double moated castle is filled with the finest 16th-century furniture and many beautiful objects, including personally inscribed prayer books belonging to Anne Boleyn.

In the year 1903 the castle was bought by the American Millionaire, William Waldorf Astor who spent a vast fortune and a great deal of time and imagination on restoring the castle to it's former glory. Betwen the years that span the period 1904 to 1908 on the instruction of William Waldorf Astor the gardens were laid out by Joseph Cheal. The Italian garden is simply stunning and has many beautiful roman statues. The Tudor garden has a Yew hedged maze and the Rose garden, a place of quiet reflection, is spectacular in high summer when the roses are in full bloom. The 35 acre lake is also a place of quiet serenity. Wander these grounds in the hush of evening when the last of the sun's rays are fading fast, glance across the great lake and you will swear you saw The Lady Anne, a laughing young girl, happily enjoying a stroll with a band of friendly courtiers - this is the magical effect the Castle at Hever has on all who visit her!

Attractions close to Hever include; the Tudor village of Chiddingstone, Penshurst Place, the Town of Edenbridge and at nearby Haxted there is a Watermill and museum.

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History of Hever

Recommended towns & villages near Hever

	Chiddingstone (1.3 miles, 2.0 km, direction E) Fascinating village, owned by the National Trust which is crammed with beautiful properties from the 16th and 17th-century probably built with iron-industry money... Information \| Pictures (19) \| Hotels \| Holiday Cottages
	Groombridge (6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction SE) In an area of attractive, outstanding villages, Groombridge with its 18th-century tiled cottages against the back-drop of a beautiful village green, stands out as being the very epitome of the perfect English village... Information \| Pictures (1) \| Hotels \| Holiday Cottages
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Recommended attractions near Hever

	Hever Castle (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) The very mention of Hever Castle conjures up memories of Anne Boleyn, the bewitching young girl for whom Henry VIII divorced..... Information \| Pictures (178) \| Hotels
	Chiddingstone Castle (1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction E) .. Information \| Pictures (5) \| Hotels
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Hotels & Accommodation in Hever

Our Hever pages are sponsored by Your Business Here.

Hever Hotels Hever Cottages Hever Bed & Breakfast

	Hever Castle Luxury Bed and Breakfast Edenbridge, Kent, England (0.2 miles, 0.3 km) Set in 125 acres of formal gardens, this 13th-century double-moated castle offers luxurious yet modern bedrooms with free Wi-Fi. Guests also have free parking.... More info and book online.. Price from £95.00
	Lingfield Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club Lingfield, Surrey, England (5.0 miles, 8.1 km, direction W) With an 18-hole golf course and a leisure facility, this hotel is a luxurious base close to Lingfield Park Racecourse. Bedrooms have free Wi-Fi and some overlook the racecourse.... More info and book online.. Price from £69.00
	Kings Arms Hotel Westerham, Kent, England (5.8 miles, 9.4 km, direction N) The Kings Arms Hotel is in the centre of the old English town of Westerham, 5 minutes’drive from the M25. Traditional food is served in the friendly bar and restaurant.... More info and book online.. Price from £49.00
	The Grasshopper Inn Westerham, Kent, England (5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction NW) Set in a restored Tudor building, The Grasshopper Inn is surrounded by picturesque Kent countryside and offers free Wi-Fi and free on-site parking.... More info and book online.. Price from £75.00
	Cranston House East Grinstead, West Sussex, England (6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction SW) A 15-minute drive from Gatwick Airport, Cranston House has a quiet residential location. It offers rooms with free Wi-Fi, and there is free parking available on site.... More info and book online.. Price from £47.00

All Accommodation in Hever..

Nearby travel help

Hever Station	(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)
Edenbridge Town Station	(2.0 miles, 3.3 km, direction NW)
M25 Junction 5	(7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction N)
M25 Junction 6 (Godstone Interchange)	(9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction NW)
London Gatwick Airport	(12.8 miles, 20.5 km, direction W)
London City Airport	(22.1 miles, 35.5 km, direction N)
Hever to London	(24.5 miles, 39.5 km, direction NW)