At the beginning of 1906 operations were in progress for making the moat watertight, replacing the solid brick bridge with an oak drawbridge and repointing the stone of the ancient gatehouse.
The site of Hever Castle is on low ground close to the River Eden and only 120 feet above sea level. The single moat around the castle was once joined to the river with whose level it rose and fell – occasionally resulting in the castle courtyard flooding.
The subsoil of the surrounding area was waterlogged, and in wet weather water rose to within a foot of the surface of the ground.
It was for these reasons that the idea was conceived to convert thirty acres of meadow east of the castle to a lake with lock gates which could control the level of the water upstream from the castle.
Visit the Castle today to see how the moat now looks!
To find out more about Hever Castle’s interesting history, please see our archives.
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.
