Fantastic Fireplaces is the theme for #FeatureFridays with Historic Houses.
Hever Castle has some fantastic fireplaces, many of which are used during the colder months to offer a warm and cosy welcome to visitors.
The fireplaces in the west wing are all original, though many of the surrounds have been augmented over the centuries, especially the one in the Great Hall, which would have been much plainer. It now features the Boleyn coat of arms and was designed by William Silver Frith.
This fireplace can be seen in the painting below – ‘The Yule Log’ by Robert Hillingford, 1861 and a photo from 1900.
While former tenant Captain Sebright did add to the height of the fireplace surround the original Tudor surround is still intact.
The Inner Hall fireplace, as well as the windows above, is an addition by owner William Waldorf Astor but in its place once stood two massive fireplaces that took up the entire wall.
By the 1860’s the north wall of the kitchen was dangerously unstable due to the large Tudor chimney stacks added in the 16th century; and by sometime in the 1880’s the wall had come down destroying the original fireplaces.
A photo of the rear of the castle, printed as a postcard in 1910, but taken in the 1890’s, shows the rebuilt corner with the anchor plates needed to strengthen the wall.
The fireplace in the Council Chamber is original to the 14th century, with only a slight replacement of stone on the surround.
If you enjoyed this item on Fantastic Fireplaces why not discover the previous #FeatureFridays news items:
• Games and pastimes
• Clocks, sundials and bells
• Stained glass
• Weddings and betrothals
• Herb gardens
• Armour and costumes
• Musical instruments
• Mazes
• Secret passageways
• Bedrooms
• American Connections
• Weapons
• Follies
• Priest Holes
• Orchards
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.