Famous faces who have visited Hever Castle

January 27 2022 | Castle History

Hever Castle as well as being the homes of Anne Boleyn and Anne of Cleves has been visited by other famous faces over the years.

The Astor family loved to socialise and MPs, prime ministers, actors and authors are among those who have visited the historic landmark.

Elizabeth Bowes Lyon (who went on to become the Queen Mother) as Duchess of York visited in July 1922 and in 1929 and Albert, Duke of York (who went on to become George VI) also came in 1929.

Visitors to the Hever Castle luxury 5* bed and breakfast can stay in the room author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stayed in when he visited in October 1930.

Visitors to the Castle can see Arthur Conan Doyle’s signature in the guest book in the Astor Suite.

Harold Macmillan made several visits to Hever Castle in 1924, 1925, 1926, 1929, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1942, 1951 and 1955 before he became Prime Minister.

Other former prime ministers who visited before holding the top position were Anthony Eden who visited in 1926, 1928, 1932, 1947 and 1948 and Stanley Baldwin who visited in 1933 and 1934

Neville Chamberlain visited in 1936 before becoming Prime Minister and then when he was in charge in 1938.

Winston Churchill who lived at nearby Chartwell was a good friend of the Astor family and visited in June 1948.

Leader of the Conservative party and future Prime Minister Edward Heath visited in 1966 and we know

Former Prime Minister Alec Douglas-Home visited at some point too.

Hever Castle played host to Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr, the brother of John F. Kennedy and Kathleen Kennedy, the sister of John F. Kennedy in 1939.

The author of Peter Pan, JM Barrie visited in May 1929.

Former first lady Lady Bird Johnson visited in 1973.

Actor Rex Harrison stayed from 12th – 14th December 1975.

Visitors to Hever Castle can see some of the famous faces who stayed on the guest list in the Astor Suite on the top floor of the Castle.