A Royal Sunday - Hever Castle

We were just going out for a drive and heading for blue skies on Sunday, we had no predetermined plan.

After a great breakfast at Crystal Palace, we pushed south down Anerley Hill, back through our new home turf of Beckenham and headed towards Biggin Hill.  Beyond this we passed over the M25 and through Westerham and saw the clouds part with blue skies over  Limpsfield way.  The wind direction must have changed and as we drove through the green canopies, the rain began to fall and we drove down towards Tunbridge Wells.  As we came out of our emerald tunnel the sun shone once more and we saw the sign to Hever Castle, it only took us moments to decide our destination.

Having only been there once many years ago, this was new to me.  My previous visit was as an events manager and the visit itself had been cut short due to my director at time needing to leave, and I with him.  So I hadn't actually seen much more than the gardens approaching the main castle itself.

We parked and walked down the hill.  The rolling clouds played patchwork tricks of light across the valley below the castle shone against the shadows around it. 

My partner and I headed for the main building, only being delayed slightly by the show of knights on horseback. 

No cameras are allowed inside the castle so the variety in the maze of rooms you will need to experience for yourselves.  But worth the visit, especially the insights to the histories of the ancient residence and the more current family backgrounds of the Astors, made an excellent backdrop to such a grand building.

The gardens were the crowning glory (no pun intended).  The Tudor gardens being framed by hedges and the rose garden and Tudor chess inside these being the focal point for me.

The water maze, a great treat for the kids and adults alike was compact, but very good fun.

However, the one thing that did strike me, and which I hadn't had any experience of before was the Italian walled garden.  I think the pictures (at the end of this blog) speak for themselves.  But with its hidden alcoves, its swathing lawns and beautiful vistas, it was where we spent the most of our time.

Overall a great afternoon and less than an hour from home in Beckenham. 

An experience I would definitely recommend.

For more details go to the Hever Castle website.