Banqueting halls is the theme for #TudorTuesdays with Historic Houses.
When Hever Castle was built the Great Hall would have risen through the whole height of the existing building, possibly with a crown-post roof and with a central hearth.
In Tudor times the family would have only used the Great Hall for entertaining but the lower ranked household servants would have eaten all their meals and also slept there as the open central hearth would have made it a warm and comfortable room.
The Great Hall today is shorter than it would have been originally as it incorporated what is now the Morning Room. Evidence for this can still be seen in the outer west wall, the two small blocked up windows would have illuminated the area where the dais would have been.
In 1463 the Great Hall was ‘modernised’ by the new owner, Geoffrey Boleyn. This work was probably continued by his son, William as Geoffrey died soon after purchasing the castle.
A quarter of the Great Hall was partitioned off which had the effect of creating a parlour – the Morning Room.
The central hearth was removed and a new fireplace was constructed on the north wall of the hall with a new large window being squeezed in to the left of the fireplace to brighten what would have been a rather dingy west end.
Visitors to today’s Great Hall or Dining Hall can see the linenfold panelling, ceiling and the fireplace surmounted by the Boleyn coat of arms which were designed by William Silver Frith. The sculptor Nathaniel Hitch carved the Minstrels’ Gallery in 1905.
The Dining Hall can also be hired for events.
If you enjoyed this item on Banqueting Halls why not discover the previous #TudorTuesdays news items:
• Long Galleries
• Mary Queen of Scots
• Jewels and Jewellery
• Foreign influences
• Water features
• Orchards, topiary and mazes
• Restoration
• Great Halls
• Books and libraries
• Films and TV sets
• Elizabeth I
• Tudor Chapels
• Tudor Windows
• Tudor Tapestries
• Tudor Chimneys
• Tudor Panelling
• Tudor Knot Gardens
• Tudor Childhood
• Tudor Dining Rooms
• Tudor Rose Gardens
• Henry VII
• Henry VIII
• Mary I
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.
