The annual Rose Week at Hever Castle this year expresses the decadence of the Edwardian period as it celebrates the 100th anniversary of William Waldorf Astor's restoration of the castle and gardens.
Famous as the romantic childhood home of Anne Boleyn the rooms of this 13th century castle will be adorned with displays of fragrant summer flowers and roses in the opulent style of the Edwardian era by our floral artist Pamela Brise and her team.
Join the head gardener Neil Miller and his team on a guided tour of the gardens including the Tudor Garden billowing with Rosa Ballerina, the velvet petals of Rosa Deep Secret at Half Moon Pond, the magnificent formal Italian Gardens with its large collection of classical statuary and profusion of summer bedding. Inside the walled Rose Garden the evocative scents of Champagne Cocktail, Belle Epoque and Buxom Beauty fills the air.
The 110 metre herbaceous border overflows with richness of colour in the traditional Gertrude Jekyll style and the Rose Bank on Two Sisters' Lawn is a delight with the musky fragrance of the Gallica, Bourbon, Moss and Damask roses.
Delicious lunches and cream teas will be available in the restaurants and the event will take place daily from Friday 20 until Thursday 26 June There is no extra charge for this event.
Notes to Editors
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 38-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.
Opening times
Open 10.45am - 6pm. Last entry to castle 5pm Adults £11.50, Children £6.30, Family ticket £29.30. Annual Passes available online Tel: 01732 865224 www.hevercastle.co.uk
Directions
Hever Castle and gardens is situated three miles SE of Edenbridge Kent 30 miles from London. Exit M25 junctions 5 or 6. 30 minutes from Gatwick, 1 hr from Heathrow, 1.5 hrs from Folkestone and Dover. Free parking.