FAQs

Yes, this access guide does not contain personal opinions as to our suitability for those with access needs, but aims to accurately describe the facilities and services that we offer all our visitors. Further information and the current accessibility statement can be found here.

We welcome dogs in the grounds as long as they’re kept on a lead at all times and in all areas of the grounds including Lake Walk, Woodland Walk, the jousting field and even on the Rowing Boats. With the exception of assistance dogs, dogs or other animals are not allowed inside the cafés, restaurants, shops, Castle, mazes, play areas or Festival Theatre.  There are water bowls provided for them at both our Moat Restaurant and at the Guthrie Pavilion Café  where there is also outside seating. There is a stand where dogs can be tied and left in the Castle Courtyard if you wish to visit the castle, but this is not supervised and they are left at your own risk. We request that you do not leave dogs in your car whilst visiting on warm days. Dogs are not permitted in the Luxury Bed & Breakfast accommodation.

Please clear up after your dog.

Please consider the wellbeing of your dog before deciding whether to bring them along on a hot day.

We do allow picnics. You are welcome to bring your own picnic to enjoy at one of the many picnic areas in the grounds. Horse Shoe Lawn provides a perfect setting with sun and shade and a picturesque castle view. Half Moon Lawn is another popular choice with views of the pond, fountain and pretty bridges across the moat. Venture further afield and you will discover Two Sisters’ Lawn adjacent to the Theatre which is surrounded by delightful flower beds and an abundance of ornamental trees. Or follow signs for Lake Walk and choose a secluded spot.

During our Christmas event there are limited areas for picnics but visitors are welcome to bring them.

No, for health and safety reasons and because the gardens are Grade I listed we do not allow bikes or scooters in the grounds. Bike racks are available at the main entrance for cyclists.

Hever Castle and Gardens is privately owned and we are not part of the National Trust or English Heritage.

We have four manual wheelchairs available for hire with a refundable deposit of £25.00 per wheelchair. Advance booking is essential (same-day bookings are not available). To reserve a wheelchair, please call the Shop between 10am and 3pm at +44 (0)1732 861718. Payment can be made by cash or card on the day, though please note that card refunds may take up to 10 days to process.

For your safety, we recommend that wheelchair users and mobility scooters remain on the hard-surfaced shingle paths. Wheelchairs are thoroughly cleaned before each use.

Please note, we are unable to supply wheelchairs for Festival Theatre performances.

Photography is allowed for personal and non-commercial use within the Gardens, Castle and surrounding buildings. To protect paintings and objects, copyright of loans, individual privacy and the overall visitor experience we do not permit tripods, selfie sticks and flash photography in the Castle. In the grounds, please use tripods with caution and awareness of other visitors. Should they cause a hazard we may ask you to stop or move.

Hever Castle & Gardens offers an extensive range of filming and photography locations for film, TV, fashion shoots, commercial shoots and wedding shoots. Find out more about filming and photography.

If you make a reservation for the Guthrie Pavilion Restaurant you must also purchase at least a Gardens Only ticket, this is because the restaurant is located well within our gardens and grounds.

The Moat Café serves a wide range of hot and cold meals. The food is seasonal and so changes often, but you can expect to find a selection of fresh baguettes and sandwiches, light bites such as quiche and soup and full meals such as fish and chips. Children’s portions are also available. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know. Find out more about our Eateries.

At the Castle & Gardens, you can only book for Mother’s Day Weekend and select dates at Christmas.

Located one mile from the Castle & Gardens at Hever Castle Golf & Wellbeing is The Waterside Bar, Restaurant & Terrace. Discover more here.

Yes! Bring your reusable cup and you’ll receive 25p off any hot drink at the Moat Grab & Go, Guthrie Pavilion Restaurant and other onsite catering outlets. Annual Members enjoy even more – you’ll get the 25p reusable-cup discount plus 10% off your total bill.

If you lose your Annual Membership card we can replace it for you, simply ask on entry or at the Information Hut. If you need your details to make a booking, please contact the Estate Office on 01732 865224.

We can now accept payments from outside of the UK. Diners cards are not accepted.

Please find all the benefits of annual membership here.

Standard charges apply to visitors with accessible/special needs, carers are free of charge and should select/request a Carer Ticket at the time of booking. To help our disabled visitors have a more memorable experience, we provide carer tickets free of charge on a 1:1 ratio.

Proof of disability will be requested on arrival, which may include a Blue Badge, statement of special educational needs from LEA or NHS, a letter from a medical professional on NHS headed paper, a DLA or PIP letter from the Department of Work & Pensions, Attendance Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or National DID Card. We do not accept Carer Cards or Access Cards. If you arrive without this information payment in full will be requested on arrival.

For general day visits, please use the Carer ticket option when pre-booking for either Garden Only or Castle & Garden tickets.

Annual Members can apply for a carer membership. Membership renewals that include a carer must be completed in person at the Information Hut as we need to verify your documentation. The proof of disability is listed above. Once the membership has been set up, we will then only require proof of disability at the time of renewal.

Carer memberships will be required during the member priority booking for our Christmas event.

We consider the following to be events days for the Gardener’s World 2-for-1 offer is not valid on these days:

Gardeners’ World 2-for-1 offer is not valid on these event days:

Bugs, Boots & Backpacks – 14 – 22 February 2026
Easter Family Fun – 28 March – 19 April 2026
May Day Weekend – 2 – 4 May 2026
Dog Show – 10 May 2026
May School Holidays – 22 –31 May 2026
Cars at The Castle – 13 & 14 June 2026
Hever’s Home Front – 20 & 21 June 2026
Jousting – 11, 12, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 July 2026
Supercar Sunday – 1 & 2 August 2025
Jousting – 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 28 – 31 August 2026
Hever in History – tbc
Autumn Craft Fair – 10 – 13 September 2026
Hever Castle Triathlon – 26 & 27 September 2026
Halloween Half Term Fun – 17 October – 1 November 2026
Christmas Fair – 6 November 2026
Christmas at Hever Castle – from 20 November 2026

Please read more about terms and conditions here:

Tesco Clubcard
RHS Member
Gardeners’ World 2 for 1 Card
Historic Houses

Hever Castle & Gardens is a Historic Houses Member. Please read more about terms and conditions here.

No – Hever Castle & Gardens is not free to Historic Houses Membership card holders over the Christmas period between 21 Nov 2025 – 2 Jan 2026 due to special Christmas events taking place. See Historic Houses website.

Hever Castle follows the Kent County Council school holidays:

February half term: 16 – 22 February 2026
Easter holidays: 3 – 19 April 2026
May half term: 25 – 31 May 2026
Summer holidays: 22 July – 31 August 2026
Autumn half term: 26 October – 1 November 2026

Within reason, Hever Castle aims to collect, store and return items of property that are deemed to be genuinely lost by visitors and guests in the castle and grounds and likely to be sought by the original owner. Please read our full lost property policy and procedure.

The taking off or landing of UAV’s (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) or drones is not permitted on Hever Castle & Gardens owned land without prior approval. If use is approved by Hever Castle & Gardens then the conditions will apply. These conditions and details for how to apply for approval can be found here.

No – Hever Castle & Gardens does not currently offer a Blue Light Card discount. Any websites that suggest that we do are not legitimate.

We do not allow smoking or vaping in any of the indoor buildings, including the restaurants, Hever Shop and Castle. We also ask that you do not smoke in the playground area. Please be mindful of other visitors if you do smoke or vape in the gardens.