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Hever Castle

The home of Anne Boleyn, lavishly remodelled for the Astor family.

Hever, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7NG

Hever Castle, Kent

Experience this house

History

Historic Houses members may benefit from reduced rates, or free entry on selected dates.
Historic Houses members may benefit from reduced rates, or free entry on selected dates.
for the latest information.
Accessibility
  • Accessible toilets
  • Accessible parking
  • Hearing loops
  • Large font signs and leaflets
  • Wheelchair ramps/routes
  • Access statement available
Does our information need updating?
Let us know here

Dating back to the 14th century, Hever Castle was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and Mother of Elizabeth I.

Set within 125 acres of award-winning gardens, the Castle offers breathtaking displays throughout the year, showcasing nature’s beauty in every season.

Steeped in history, Hever Castle was the unlikely backdrop to a series of tumultuous events that shaped Britain’s monarchy and religion. Its panelled rooms are adorned with fine furniture, tapestries, antiques, and one of the country’s most impressive collections of Tudor portraits. The Book of Hours Room is particularly captivating, featuring two illuminated prayer books, inscribed and signed by Anne Boleyn herself.

Much of the Castle’s current grandeur is thanks to William Waldorf Astor, who restored and expanded the property in the early 20th century. The ground floor now celebrates this Edwardian transformation, with displays of memorabilia from the Astor family’s time at Hever.

The Boleyn Apartment on the first floor is a highlight for history enthusiasts. This remarkable suite of rooms, largely unchanged structurally, offers a glimpse into the domestic life of the Boleyn family. Thoughtfully restored and reimagined, the apartment is decorated to reflect its appearance during Anne Boleyn’s time.

Visitors can also explore the role Hever Castle played in the passionate and ultimately tragic love affair between Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII.

Opening Times

Please note: The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.

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2025

12 Feb – 29 Mar, daily, 10:30 – 16:30 (last entry 15:00)
30 Mar – 25 Oct, daily, 10:30 – 18:00 (last entry 16:30)
26 Oct – 2 Nov, daily, 10:30 – 16:30 (last entry 15:00)
3 Nov – 14 Nov, Wed – Sun, 10:30 – 16:30 (last entry 15:00)

Admission

For regular admission prices and to buy tickets, see the castle’s website.

Free access to the Castle and Gardens for Historic Houses members only applies from Monday to Friday, between 12 Feb 2025 and 14 Nov 2025 (closed some Mondays and Tuesdays in November), and excludes weekends, Kent school holidays, bank holidays, group bookings and Christmas.

Free and discounted tickets are no longer available to book online. Please book on arrival, subject to availability and the T&Cs stated.

Group Visits

Whether you are a group travel organiser or member of the travel trade planning trips and tours in Kent, Hever Castle & Gardens has a selection of experiences and packages to suit the interests and needs of groups.

They have a dedicated member of staff who will assist you with your planning and will guide you every step of the way to ensure that your group visit is a memorable one.

Whatever type of group visit you are planning, large or small we look forward to helping you plan your perfect day out.

Tel: 01732 861 701 Email: groups@hevercastle.co.uk

Educational Visits

A visit to Hever Castle & Gardens offers informative educational school trips for UK and overseas groups and provides a stimulating opportunity for learning outside the classroom. School and student groups must book their visits in advance. Their Group Visits Coordinator will be happy to talk through the best type of visit to suit your class learning objectives.

Tel: 01732 861 701 Email: groups@hevercastle.co.uk

for the latest information.
Accessibility
  • Accessible toilets
  • Accessible parking
  • Hearing loops
  • Large font signs and leaflets
  • Wheelchair ramps/routes
  • Access statement available
Does our information need updating?
Let us know here

The Anne Boleyn Rose Portrait

Anne Boleyn The Rose Portrait

Hever Castle in Kent has an impressive collection of Tudor portraits, second only to the collection in the National Portrait Gallery in London. This portrait of Anne Boleyn, who grew up at Hever Castle, is on display in the historic attraction’s Long Gallery. The Long Gallery depicts the saga from the Wars of the Roses to the Reformation through its art collection.

Although it is an iconic image of the monarch who was only queen for 1,000 days, Hever Castle knows very little about the Anne Boleyn portrait itself and when exactly it was acquired.

Believed to have been bought by one of the Astor family who previously owned the Castle at some point between 1919 and 1965, it is first mentioned in a valuation for insurance document (listing all items in the collection) in 1965. The oil painting is attributed to the English school and is believed to have been painted around 1550, 14 years after Anne’s execution.

It bears a strong resemblance to the Radclyffe portrait, believed to be in a private collection. Known as the Anne Boleyn rose portrait, Hever Castle staff are keen to do more research into the image to find out more about who purchased it and when and where it was purchased.

The valuation for insurance document has the value in 1965 of £400, but staff do not know how much it was originally bought for.

If it was bought at an English auction house then there would be provenance information and a sale invoice.
Hever Castle would also be keen to find out more about the age of the portrait.

Images credit Hever Castle.

Anne Boleyn's prayerbook discovery at Hever Castle with Kate McCaffrey

A new discovery on Anne Boleyn’s historic prayer book

On the anniversary of Anne Boleyn’s execution Hever Castle reveals new research on her historic prayer book, unveiling what happened to it after her death.

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Hever Castle gardens in the summer

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