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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Cromer beach from the car park.

Cromer

a Seaside Town in the county of Norfolk

The Pantiles at Royal Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells

in the county of Kent

Six Arches, near the River Wye, Scorton, Lancashire

Scorton

in the county of Lancashire

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.

Recommended towns & villages near Hever

Chiddingstone, Kent

Chiddingstone (46 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Kent

(1.3 miles, 2.0 km, direction E of Hever)

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...

Groombridge Station

Groombridge (9 Pictures) in the county of East Sussex

(6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction SE of Hever)

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...

The Old Mill on Spring Lane, Oxted, Surrey

Oxted (14 Pictures) in the county of Surrey

(6.9 miles, 11.0 km, direction NW of Hever)

A walk around the village reveals a riot of attractive 17th and 18th century cottages all standing on a rise surrounded by pretty flower-filled gardens...

Tonbridge Castle Gatehouse

Tonbridge (32 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Kent

(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction E of Hever)

Fine streets show a rich variety of architecture including typical Wealden tile-hung properties, and handsome Georgian and Victorian buildings dominating the river scene...

The Pantiles at Royal Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells (67 Pictures) in the county of Kent

(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction SE of Hever)

Also known as Royal Tunbridge Wells and only a short distance from London, this popular spa town gained a reputation as the place to see and be seen during Georgian Times frequented by royalty and fashionable members of aristocracy. It also happens to be surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in England. ..

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Nearby attractions..

Hever Castle - UK_flag

Hever Castle (317 Pictures)

(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.....

Chiddingstone Castle in Kent. taken in 1987

Chiddingstone Castle (28 Pictures)

(1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction E)

..

Penshurst Place, Kent

Penshurst Place and Gardens (93 Pictures)

(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction E)

A beautiful Medieval Manor House set in 11 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, which date back to 1346. The manor House has.....

Chartwell- The home of Sir Winston Churchill. Kent

Chartwell (53 Pictures)

(4.2 miles, 6.7 km, direction N)

The home of Sir Winston Churchill, from 1924 until his death. Churchill purchased it for its magnificent views across the weald.....

Blue bell bank, Emmetts Garden, Kent

Emmetts Garden (86 Pictures)

(4.9 miles, 7.8 km, direction N)

This must be the most perfectly positioned of all the gardens in the care of the National Trust. It occupies a majestic hill-top.....

Tonbridge Castle

Tonbridge Castle (16 Pictures)

(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction E)

A fire in 1088 destroyed the first castle at Tonbridge, and the evocative remains we see today are of a later castle which was.....

Knole House

Knole House & Deer Park (64 Pictures)

(7.0 miles, 11.2 km, direction NE)

This is one of England's most glorious houses. Set as it is in the midst of a magnificent park studded with ancient trees, the.....


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