Hever Castle Penshurst Place Edenbridge Eden Valley Kent UK

Hever Castle & Gardens Home of Anne Boleyn

Hever Castle to the north west of Tunbridge Wells holds a particular fascination as the Kent Castle home of Anne Boleyn. Interest has been reignighted again with the release of Hollywood film 'The Other Boleyn Girl' staring Scarlett Johansson as Mary Boleyn and Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn. The film is derived from the best selling novel of the same name by award winning historical novelist Phillipa Gregory.

Not only was Hever Castle the childhood home of Anne Boleyn during the 1500s, it was later owned by Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII's fourth wife. The oldest parts of the building include the gatehouse which dates from 1270. Anne Boleyn spent her childhood here from 1505, marrying Henry VIII in 1533.

Hever's celebrated castle gardens came later in the 20th century under the ownership of William Waldorf Astor. Astor bought the much delapidated Hever in 1903 and invested considerable money in the project, adding the Tudor Village, lake and garden. The gardens were laid between 1904 to 1908 on what was then marshland! The Italian Garden is a particular highlight, but there are a host of surprises everywhere including the Tudor Garden, Rhododendron Walk and the Anne Boleyn Walk with a display of trees planted over 100 years ago. Hever alongside Sissinghurst is one of Kent's best gardens. The gardens are open daily from 1 March until 30 November, 11am to 6pm. Boating on Hever's lake is popular in the Summer and various events run through high season particularly, such as annual jousts!

Hever Castle, Hever, Nr Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG, Tel. 01732 865224. The Gardens at Hever open 10.45am, whilst the Castle opens 12 noon. Check the Hever Castle webguide right for up-to-date opening times. Main Season commences from 1st March. See also Chiddingstone Castle, Near Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7AD. Tel. 01892 870347.

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Penshurst Place & Gardens

The history of Penshurst Place Stately home and gardens and its preservation and additions through the centuries is a fascinating one, with a fair bit of luck thrown in. Penshurst is a huge mix of an estate, with a medieval manor house at its heart, and later additions within the grounds including the character Tudor Village. Within the manor house highlights include the Baron's Hall dating from 1341. In here is the famous wooden chestnut roof with intricate carvings. The tomb of the first owner in the 13th century, Sir Stephen de Penchester can be found in on-site Penshurst Church. In the hands of the Sidney family on and off for centuries, Penshurst was owned by Henry VIII for a time after he had then owner the 3rd Duke of Buckingham beheaded in the Tower of London as a traitor.

Twentieth century restoration is credited to William Sidney, 1st Viscount De L'Isle who earned the Victoria Cross and Knight of the Garter. Penshurst would not be what it is today without his efforts, and today Penshurst stately home and gardens is one of the Kent Weald's best days out. Catering well for families, within the grounds there's a kids adventure playground, a toy museum, walking trails and a gift shop.

Penshurst Place Gardens are spectacular. Essentially an 11 acre formal walled garden dating back in parts to 1346, the Italian Garden here is not to be missed, changing as it does through the seasons offering new delights. Visit in April for the Bluebells and Tulips, or late July for the Magnolia Grandiflora and Fuschia.

Penshurst Place & Gardens, Penshurst, Kent TN11 8DG. Tel. 00 44 (0)1892 870307. Well worth a visit alongside a trip to Penshurst Place is the nearby Eden Valley Museum at Edenbridge. This museum has a social history edge, exploring the history of workers in the area primarily through the 19th century. Photographs on display here include some at Penshurst Place. Around 700 plus photographs are held within Eden Valley's archives. Eden Valley Museum, Church House, High Street, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 5AR. Tel. 01732 868102.

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Eden Valley & Edenbridge

The stunning Eden Valley in the very South West corner of Kent boasts a selection of picturesque historic towns and villages. Main centre Edenbridge is famed for its superb choice of antique shops, fine restaurants and specialist arts and craft shopping alongside welcoming country pubs.

As you tour around the glorious countryside of the Eden Valley it's hard to believe you're a mere 25 miles for London city centre!

The landscape is a mix of the Kent Downs to the north around Westerham (home to Chartwell, famous home of Winston Churchill) to the Kent High Weald south of Penshurst. The Eden Valley nestles between the Kent Downs and Weald and is mostly a low lying area with heavy clay soils put to good agricultural use. Numerous footpaths and trails criss-cross the region. Find out more via the comprehensive Eden Valley webguide link right and visit Edenbridge's main Tourist Information point in the town centre. Tour the many historic churches in the Eden Valley villages. The area has a choice of acclaimed golf courses, gardens and some of Kent's best known historic sights including Hever and Penshurst. Main centre Edenbridge also has a weekly market.

Edenbridge Visitor Information Point, Doggetts Barn, 72A High Street, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 5AR. Tel. 01732 865368. Open 10am to 2pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

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