Hever Castle & Gardens
Free RHS Member days
11 February–12 November, Monday–Friday when open (excluding school holidays)
About the garden
Hever Castle Gardens, located in the beautiful Weald of Kent, were designed by American millionaire William Waldorf Astor. When he acquired Hever Castle, virtually all remnants of the previous gardens had disappeared, leaving only a few ancient fruit trees and the moat surrounding the historic building.
Between 1904 and 1908, over 1,000 men worked on this grand project, with an additional 800 men dedicating two years to digging the lake. In just four years, 125 acres of classical gardens and natural landscapes were transformed from marshland and rough meadows.
Each area of the gardens has its own style and character, from the magnificent Italian Garden to the Tudor Garden and Walled Rose Garden. Visitors can also enjoy Sunday Walk and Church Gill Walk, which follow a stream through peaceful woodland; Anne Boleyn’s Walk, featuring an impressive collection of trees; and Diana’s Walk, adorned with drifts of perennials.
Facilities
- Children’s play area
- Dogs welcome
- Parking
- Plant sales
- Refreshments
- Toilets
Key features
- Herbaceous border
- Autumn colour
- Mediterranean/Italian garden
- Winter garden
Get involved
The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.