CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS 100 Years of Astor's Restorations at Hever Castle 2nd - 29th June 2008
This JUNE, Hever Castle in Kent celebrates the 100th anniversary of William Waldorf Astor's transformation of the castle and grounds with a series of Edwardian themed events.
Edwardian Evening
On 13th June the castle hosts an Edwardian Evening in the majestic gardens. Soak up the atmosphere of this romantic evening by enjoying a picnic while listening to jazz music, as the sun sets over the beautiful 34-acre lake. Or perhaps take a gentle trip on a rowing boat or stroll around the stunning Rose Garden, alive with the magnificent evening scent of these beautiful flowers.
Rose Week
Rose Week from 20th - 26th June is a glorious opportunity to enjoy roses of all varieties with tours of the gardens with castle gardeners. Inside, the castle will be alive with fragrance and colour, as displays of roses adorn the rooms. The Rose Garden at Hever Castle is home to over 3000 roses of many varieties and colours, including the Anne Boleyn Rose, Deep Secret and L'aimant, many of which are available to purchase in the castle shop.
The Restorations
William Waldorf Astor bought Hever Castle in 1903 and lavished his great wealth on extensively renovating and extending the castle and gardens.
Astor's work included meticulously restoring the inside of the castle, filling it with antique treasures and building a 100-room private wing. Outside, he dug a 34-acre lake and transformed the marshland surrounding the castle into acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, including the award winning Italian Gardens and a yew hedge maze.
Hever Castle, best known as the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, boasts a collection of Tudor portraits second only to the National Portrait Gallery including a full set of portraits of Henry VIII's Queens.
Open 11am - 6pm. Adults £11.50, Children £6.30, Family ticket £29.30. Tel: 01732 865224 www.hevercastle.co.uk
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Other events in Edwardian June include an exhibition of Dorothea Sharpe paintings (2nd - 9th June), Astor weekend celebrated with music and playlets (14th - 15th June) and a weekend of playlets in the Italian Gardens for children based on Roman legends (28th - 29th June)
- Inside the castle highlights include the Henry VIII armorial tapestry, prayer books inscribed by Anne Boleyn and the rooms of the King and his ill-fated second wife
- Outside enjoy the 40-acres of gardens, maze, adventure playground, water maze, boating lake, various walks, restaurants and a shop