Kate McCaffrey has worked at Hever Castle for 10 years. She started as a 16 year old work experience student, then became a Visitor Experience Assistant, continuing to work at the Castle during school holidays and university breaks from her degree in History at the University of Warwick.
In 2021 after she completed an MA in Medieval and Early Modern Studies at the University of Kent she returned as Assistant Curator.
She admits: “Hever has very much become my second home, I feel like I have grown up here.”
Her love of history was fostered through family: “My mum brought my sister and I up on stories of strong female figures throughout history – including, of course, Anne Boleyn. I grew up locally, and loved visiting Hever as a child, so when I had the opportunity to do work experience here and then stay to work, I jumped at the chance.”
During her Masters degree Kate McCaffrey did research on the Book of Hours volume owned by Anne Boleyn and discovered never before seen names and words hidden in the pages of the historic prayer book.
She said: “I found four new inscriptions within the book, which meant I could piece together a network of close friends of Anne Boleyn who used and loved the book after her, and also connected it intriguingly to Anne’s great ‘rival’ and Henry VIII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon.”
And Kate’s role as Assistant Curator is never dull.
She explains: “I supervise the castle team and the castle itself one day a week, then the rest of my time is spent on research, exhibition planning, writing exhibition books, filming content for Inside Hever Castle and social media channels, conservation of items on the estate, and lots of cataloguing.
“Every day is different, which is what I love about this job. I also love being able to work in a field that I am so passionate about, and have always been interested in. I get to work in bringing history to life in the most gorgeous of settings and with an amazing team of people – what more could you want?”
Find out more about fellow Assistant Curator and Castle Historian Owen Emmerson.
Want to work at Hever Castle? We regularly recruit for people with a passion for the historic attraction.
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.
