Day Trip From London: Exploring Hever Castle & Gardens
Hever Castle & Gardens: A Day Trip From London
When it comes to castles and palaces I had always thought bigger was better. But a recent visit to Hever Castle sure proved me wrong! Compact can actually be as cute, charming and impressive…as long as you know what to do with it.
Here is what to see inside Hever Castle on a daytrip from London.
Inside Hever Castle
Once you walk over the drawbridge (yes! It comes with a drawbridge and not just one, but two moats!) through the courtyard and into the castle you’ll follow a route from room to room where you can explore how the Boleyns (you might know them from the Anne Boleyn tragedy) lived there in Tudor times and then the Astors in the early 1900s.
Though it’s a short route, it’s far from boring: everything from family portraits and a secret chapel to instruments of torture will keep you immersed in medieval and modern history. And for your inner child there is a little ‘can you spot it’ game in each room and let me tell you…it was hard sometimes.
Sadly there’s no rooftop access, so I wasn’t able to brace the winds and let my hair blow majestically atop the battlements (so back to Dover I must go!)
Hever Castle Gardens: Walking Route, Lake & Maze
One the grounds you can explore several ornate Italian-style gardens, get lost in the maze, check out the miniatures museum or escape the crowds and take a peaceful stroll around the lake, which has a little Japanese-style teahouse perched on its banks.
Taking in the nature alongside the calm waters all at my own pace was one of the favourite things I’ve done recently. I also enjoyed the mini pier where I got to recreate my own Dawson’s Creek moment (though it should have been called Pacey’s Creek in my opinion…).
The main target audience is families and people with dogs so you’ll see a lot of those. There is also a huge and enviable playground area with a mini castle for kids, which I didn’t get a chance to test as that would just be frowned upon. Also chances are that you will probably wait longer for an ice-cream than you might spend walking around the castle, but I can tell you that the salted caramel is definitely worth it.
How To Get There – Train from London To Hever Castle
The best bit? Hever Castle is only 1-hour train from central London and a 20-minute walk to the castle grounds so it’s perfect for a fun day out to escape from the city! Trains run from Victoria Station and London Bridge Station.
You can also take a taxi from the station, but it’s a really easy walk.
And even better? You can book a room in the Tudor Village that the Astors built and actually let your inner princess out. I loved parading around in my favourite dress through the grounds once they were closed for the public…but more on that later.