Whilst in Surrey over the early Spring Bank Holiday, I suggested that my daughter and I had a day out visiting Hever Castle and Gardens in Kent. It was a hot day so we didn’t have enough energy to stroll around the lake, nor did we visit the Tudor Garden with the topiary chess set! Two good reasons to return.
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. It is well worth a visit especially of you are interested in Tudor history.
But for this post I am only exploring the beautiful gardens which were laid out between 1904 and 1908 by Joseph Cheal and Son. Until William Waldorf Astor bought Hever Castle in 1903, only a modest garden existed around the castle walls. One of the most magnificent areas of the gardens is the Italian Garden, which was designed to display William Waldorf Astor’s collection of Italian sculptures.
The impressive Loggia at the lake end of the garden is flanked by pillared colonnades and descends by balustrade steps to the piazza below with its classical sculpture inspired by the Trevi Fountain in Rome.The Italian Garden. Covering four acres, the long sweeping lawns and tall clipped yew hedges form the central area of this magnificent garden, bordered by two twelve foot high walls made from local stone.Along the south side runs the Pergola Walk with its shaded grottoes planted with ferns and moisture loving plants.Pergola WalkItalianate sculptureEntrance to the Pergola Walk and the Italian Garden with the stunning golden gatesOn the north side is the Pompeiian Wall which contains small bays showcasing antiquities in stone and marble enveloped with shrubs and climbing plants.Italianate sculptures and antiquities
In one of the recessed baysPompeiian WallHidden in the centre of the Italian Garden behind a tall hedge lies the Sunken Garden, an oasis of peace and quiet.Sunken GardenAt the beginning of May the gardens were full of tulips, irises and wisteria. The planting is stunning and there is so much to see. Far more than I can possibly put in one post.And to end, a glimpse of the lake from the Pavilion courtyard.
Then there is the Rose Garden, the setting for over 5,000 roses which flourish from June until the end of September. Yet one more reason to return.
I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.
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41 thoughts on “Hever Castle and Gardens: Part One”
So little time and so much to see…Jude, you live in the biggest garden country of all, and I am not at all envious……..I was so happy to visit some of your castles last summer – but I would love to go again. Any day. Thank you for taking us for a walk in these beautiful grounds.
We certainly love our gardens 🏡
♥
A place I know pretty well, there are some truly lovely walks in the countryside in this area too. Chartwell is our favourite in this area but Hever, as you discovered, is lovely too.
Not been to Chartwell, but there are some lovely gardens in this part of the country.
It’s possibly my favourite, try and put it on your agenda if you visit Kent again.
I’ll try to get a visit in before my daughter sells her house.
Our day at Hever Castle was one of the highlights of our trip last year. The gardens are so beautiful. You had a glorious day for your visit too.
I agree. The gardens are glorious. I would love to see that rose garden when in flower.
It was when we were there and it was glorious.
Wow Jude, this is such a gorgeous garden. And what glorious sunshine.
It was a most satisfactory day out.
That brings up memories of my childhood when we lived in Kent.
It’s a fabulous county for gardens.
Such a beautiful place Jude – the grounds are simply stunning. It may have been better for poor Anne Boleyn if she’d stayed there and led a quiet life! I’ve heard of Hever Castle and thought it was in Kent but never visited so thanks for sharing these lovely photos 🙂
Ah, yes, not her finest decision to go after Henry!
Poor judgement in her choices …..different times I guess!
TRAVEL WORDS 
So little time and so much to see…Jude, you live in the biggest garden country of all, and I am not at all envious……..I was so happy to visit some of your castles last summer – but I would love to go again. Any day. Thank you for taking us for a walk in these beautiful grounds.
We certainly love our gardens 🏡
♥
A place I know pretty well, there are some truly lovely walks in the countryside in this area too. Chartwell is our favourite in this area but Hever, as you discovered, is lovely too.
Not been to Chartwell, but there are some lovely gardens in this part of the country.
It’s possibly my favourite, try and put it on your agenda if you visit Kent again.
I’ll try to get a visit in before my daughter sells her house.
Our day at Hever Castle was one of the highlights of our trip last year. The gardens are so beautiful. You had a glorious day for your visit too.
I agree. The gardens are glorious. I would love to see that rose garden when in flower.
It was when we were there and it was glorious.
Wow Jude, this is such a gorgeous garden. And what glorious sunshine.
It was a most satisfactory day out.
That brings up memories of my childhood when we lived in Kent.
It’s a fabulous county for gardens.
Such a beautiful place Jude – the grounds are simply stunning. It may have been better for poor Anne Boleyn if she’d stayed there and led a quiet life! I’ve heard of Hever Castle and thought it was in Kent but never visited so thanks for sharing these lovely photos 🙂
Ah, yes, not her finest decision to go after Henry!
Poor judgement in her choices …..different times I guess!