Know before you go: What to do before you visit Hever Castle

August 05 2020 | Attractions Castle Garden

Hever Castle and Gardens is encouraging visitors to Know Before You Go.

The historic attraction is delighted to welcome visitors back to the childhood home of Anne Boleyn but is encouraging people to check restrictions in place before they visit.

Facilities open with additional measures in place include the Castle & Gardens, outdoor plays areas, Water Maze, golf courses (a mile down the road), the luxury 5* bed and breakfast, a 5* four bedroom holiday cottage, The Wellbeing Centre, eateries including The Moat Restaurant and Guthrie Pavilion and The Waterside Bar, Restaurant & Terrace at the Golf Club and venue hire.

Visitors need to pre-book tickets to visit the grounds and can then upgrade to a Castle ticket at the Castle entrance if required. Both measures are designed to limit the number of visitors.

Audio Guides will be available to all Castle visitors but we encourage visitors to bring their own headphones (standard 3.5mm jack required).

Additional cleaning of facilities is being carried out, staff at the pay kiosks will wear gloves and use screens and hand sanitiser is available throughout the estate.

One way systems are in operation throughout the grounds to enable social distancing.

Food and drink are available to buy at the Moat Restaurant and the Guthrie Pavilion as well as concessions throughout the estate. The Eat Out To Help Out scheme will be available in the Guthrie Pavilion and The Waterside Bar, Restaurant & Terrace every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in August.

A cashless system is in operation across the site (excluding Archery).

New picnic areas have also been created in the grounds including Lake Walk.

Please note face coverings must be worn in the Hever Shop, Moat Restaurant, Guthrie Pavilion and the Castle (exemptions apply).

Videos have been produced explaining the different measures in place in the Castle & Gardens and what to expect when visiting. They can be viewed here.


During peak times we are experiencing larger queues in some areas of the grounds.

As we adapt to this new way of working, it has been necessary to remain flexible in our approach to queuing systems. We are constantly learning and as a team, we are testing, evaluating and implementing new processes to benefit the visitor experience.

We are also keenly aware that there are visitors that have additional needs, and the team will do what they can to make alterations to ensure they can enjoy as many areas of the castle and gardens as possible. Whilst we are currently unable to offer timed tickets, if you approach the team member and explain your additional needs, they will be happy to assist you.

We thank you for your patience during this time.

Castle
During peak times, on average it takes 1 hour to queue for the Castle.
Visitors may get the chance to upgrade to a Castle ticket at the Castle Entrance. This is because we are limiting numbers in rooms and cannot guarantee Castle entry for everyone. Audio Guides will be available to all Castle visitors. However, where necessary use of Audio Guides will be limited to the Castle Courtyard to provide entertainment whilst queuing and enable more visitors to experience the Castle. We encourage visitors to bring their own headphones (standard 3.5mm jack required).

Play Areas
It may take up to 30 minutes to queue for your chosen Play Area
• Play Areas are operated on a timed entry basis
• You will need to queue for one play area at a time, choosing either Tudor Towers (includes general play equipment) or Acorn Dell (the sandy one!), you cannot switch between areas during your session
• Timed entry begins at 10:30 (10:00 from 13 – 31 August) and length of the session varies depending on the day of the week
• We let one group out completely before letting the next group in
• A whistle will be blown at the end of your session indicating the end of play
• Signage at the Play Areas will indicate when the next session is due to start. You are welcome to wait in this area and answer the fun quiz that’s in place or visit the shop/café/toilets and come back

Water Maze
During peak times it may take 1 hour to queue for the Water Maze
• Water Maze is operated on a timed entry basis
• Timed entry begins at 10:30 and length of the session varies depending on the day of the week
• We let one group out completely before letting the next group in
• A whistle will be blown at the end of your session indicating the end of play
• Signage at the Water Maze will indicate when the next session is due to start
• The folly will remain closed
• There are no toilet facilities in this area of the grounds

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Know Before You Go is a Visit England initiative to reassure and remind visitors as restrictions are lifted to check what it is safe to do and when and sign-posting to information about destinations and available services before travelling.

Hever Castle has also been awarded the We’re Good to Go industry standard from Visit England, confirming it is adhering to the Government’s COVID-19 re-opening guidance.

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