Hever Castle is once again taking part in the Kent Big Weekend.
For one weekend only, Kent residents have the chance to enjoy a fantastic day out in the county for free.
What is the Kent Big Weekend About?
The Kent Big Weekend is organised by Visit Kent. It’s all about celebrating what is great about the county and helping people to discover the great places to visit and things to do on their doorstep so they can recommend them to their friends and family.
Tourism is important for Kent being worth £4.1 billion to the local economy and supporting 81,458 jobs so we need to support the industry.
How Does it Work?
Registration is open now for a chance to win two free tickets to the castle and gardens as part of Kent Big Weekend (Saturday 20 April and Sunday 21 April 2024).
Thousands of tickets to attractions across the county will be available as part of the Kent Big Weekend campaign.
Residents have until midnight on 1 April to register and will find out on 2 April whether they were successful in the Kent Big Weekend ballot.
Kent Big Weekend at Hever Castle – 20 & 21 April 2024
Winners of tickets and visitors to Hever Castle on the weekend of the 20 & 21 April will experience a Celebration of Spring with a with a colourful celebration of the gardens at that promises to delight.
They may have the chance to take a Behind the Scene Tour (£3 per person). The daily tours, lasting around 30 minutes, will allow visitors to see works going on in the closed rooms from the Library to the Queens’ Chamber whilst the re-interpreted Boleyn Apartment on the first floor of the Castle is developing.
The splendid rooms of the double moated castle contain fine furniture, tapestries, antiques, an important collection of Tudor paintings and two prayer books inscribed and signed by Anne Boleyn herself.
The stunning award-winning gardens transformed by William Waldorf Astor include the Italian Garden with its 38 acre lake and the spectacular Loggia with is very own Trevi Fountain.
Visitors aged 7-14 can also explore the Tudor Towers adventure playground with its own moat, drawbridge and three turrets and those under 7 can enjoy Acorn Dell, natural play area with its 2 metre high living willow structure, a giant sandpit, a mound with tunnels to clamber in and a climbing frame.
There is also the 100 year old Yew maze to explore, the popular Water Maze (will you manage to get to the middle without getting wet?) and the Miniature Model Houses exhibition (accessible via the Hever Shop).
How to Apply for Free Tickets to Hever Castle
For a chance to come to Hever Castle & Gardens for free go to the Kent Big Weekend website.
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.
