Hever Castle & Gardens in Kent today reported its best 12-month visitor figures since 1997 and the first time in almost 20 years that the historic Castle welcomed over 300,000 visitors annually.
The attraction reports its annual visitor intake from 1 October – 30 September, and experienced a year on year increase of 7%, welcoming 319,308 visitors in 2015/2016.
Hever Castle & Gardens CEO, Duncan Leslie, said: “The entire team works tirelessly to offer a superb visitor experience, so we are delighted to have reported such good figures. Of particular note is an increase in annual memberships purchased, up 12%, and a raise in the number of visits by our annual members, up 17%.”
The increase was seen across the board with greater numbers of groups, day visitors, private guided tours and bed and breakfast guests. Visits to the website were also up by 24% on the 2014/2015 period.
Duncan Leslie continued: “This success ensures that we can continue to conserve and repair the historic castle and gardens and preserve them for future generations. All profit is reinvested into the Estate and allows us to regenerate and open up new parts of the gardens that Astor created.”
Good visitor numbers have been seen by attractions across Kent, with a recent Visit Kent press release reporting a boom for tourism across the county over the summer, with visits to tourist attractions up by 18.8% in July alone – the biggest increase year on year since 2013.
Hever Castle & Gardens is now gearing up for what is set to be a busy Christmas season, with Marketing & Communications Manager, Sarah Cole, saying: “Our Christmas events have increased in popularity each year, and in 2016 our Twilight Christmas evenings sold out in record time.”
Book your visit to Hever Castle & Gardens.
Within the grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, there are two opportunities for you to stay the night with us.
Hever Castle has played host to many important events and celebrations for over 600 years. In 1903 when William Waldorf Astor set about restoring Hever Castle to its former glory, he added the Astor Wing, to accommodate his family and guests, before creating a lake and the spectacular Italian Garden to house his impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman statuary.
There are multiple places to eat & drink across the Hever Castle Estate. Select between the Castle & Gardens and Golf Club below to discover more.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, Hever Castle Golf Club is a 27 hole Kent golf course that will encourage and inspire all golf enthusiasts.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, the Wellbeing Centre consists of five smart treatment rooms.
