Visitors can learn skills including soap and candle making and find out more about nature as part of new experiences at Hever Castle for 2021.
Naturalist, wildlife detective and learning specialist Ed Drewitt will lead a one hour Wildlife Walk Experience around the woodlands on the Hever Castle estate on Friday 30 July.
Ed is passionate and enthusiastic about engaging people in wildlife, inspiring everyone to go out and be ‘wowed’ by what the natural world has to offer. He has also studied urban peregrine falcons for over 20 years. During the experience, you will identify birds by sight and call, see wildflowers and pollinators and search for signs of elusive woodland mammals.
Join a group of up to 20 people, suitable for adults and children age 7 years and over. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Places on the hour long walk must be prebooked. There are four start times during the day.
Adults and children aged 6 and over and can learn how to make soap as part of an experience at Hever Castle over the summer.
Liz from Denys & Fielding will be leading an introduction to the creative process of soap making without chemicals. Learn a little about the fantastic history of the humble soap and go home with your very own handmade soap.
All soaps are made from natural, plant based oils and butters and are inspired by nature and immersed in the Kent countryside.
The soap making experiences at Hever Castle run on Saturday 17 July and Saturday 7 August at 11am or 2.30pm and costs start at £7.50 for annual members, which includes all materials and access to the gardens for the day of your visit.
Liz from Denys & Fielding will also be running two candle making workshops on Friday 6 August and Friday 3 September at 10am or 2.30pm.
Costs for the three hour workshop start at £35 for annual members and includes all the materials needed to create an aromatherapy candle using natural ingredients and essential oils and access to the gardens.
This experience at Hever Castle is aimed at 16 year olds and over.
After all that creativity treat yourself to an afternoon tea experience at Hever Castle & Gardens.
Traditional afternoon tea will be served daily in the elegant Guthrie Pavilion Restaurant with views across Hever Lake with sittings from midday to 4pm most days, lasting up to 90 minutes.
Visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of finger sandwiches of smoked salmon and cream cheese, cucumber and mint and ham and rocket. No afternoon tea would be complete without a homemade scone oozing with clotted cream and jam but the Hever Castle menu also includes a savoury tart and homemade sausage rolls ensuring that those with a sweet or savoury tooth are satisfied.
Vegan and gluten free options will need to be selected at the time of booking. Child friendly sandwich fillings of cheese or ham can be provided as an alternative to the standard menu, simply select the ‘child’ dietary option when booking.
The menu will be accompanied by a selection of traditional, fruit and herbal teas or coffee and guests can also add on Champagne or other refreshments on the day to make it an extra special treat.
The afternoon tea menu costs £22.75 per person and children of all ages are welcome. Pre-booking is advisable up to 3pm the day before your visit (or 3pm on Friday if dining at the weekend) but walk ins may also be possible on the day of your visit, subject to availability.
For more information for any of the experiences at Hever Castle click here
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.
