Hever Castle hosted a special event in partnership with Hi Kent, the county’s deaf and hard of hearing registered charity.
A group of people supported by the charity gathered at Hever on Tuesday 14 October to enjoy a day of coffee, cake and socialising, catching up with old friends and making some new ones.
The visitors, all of whom are affected by some form of hearing loss, including tinnitus, also had the opportunity to take a stroll around Hever’s extensive gardens and grounds, while some had a look inside the Castle as well.
Jo Meredith, Hi Kent’s Wellbeing Helpline and Social Groups Officer, said “Hever Castle is a wonderful venue. Our members thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful grounds. They were able to have coffee and to meet up in a hearing-friendly venue, which made the day extra special.”
Harriet Waldron, Hever Castle’s Visitor Services Learning Manager, plans to make the Hi Kent social gatherings at the Castle a regular fixture, which will take place three times a year.
She added: “It’s been a pleasure working with Hi Kent on this project. I have learned much about the challenges facing the local hearing loss community, and am so pleased that we could provide a special day out for some of the members. We look forward to welcoming many more members next year.”
Hi Kent, a winner of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, serves the needs of people who are deaf or have hearing loss, and their families, throughout Kent. It aims to assist more than 66,000 people each year.
Nationally, one in every three people are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus; in Kent, there are 300,000 people falling into these categories.
The charity runs regular social gatherings for its members throughout the year. For more details, please see its website. In 2026, Hi Kent will be celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Hever Castle is a ‘hearing-friendly venue’, with staff having undertaken BSL training to enable them to communicate well with hearing-impaired visitors.
Hever also has a deaf-led Christmas tour coming up on 5 December.
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.
