More and more children are visiting Hever Castle as part of school trips.
Visits from UK schools to Hever Castle were up by 15% from 10,237 in 2018 to 11,798 last year – the highest number since records were taken.
And it is not just UK school children that are flocking to the historic attraction as school trips generally were up 7.5% from 20,359 in 2018 to 21,879 last year.
Overall visitor numbers were up in 2019 with 415,274 people visiting Hever Castle, an increase of 6% on the previous year.
This rise in popularity for school trips can be put down to increased advertising but also enhancements to the schools offering including improved play areas (Tudor Towers adventure playground and Acorn Dell natural play area), the Think Tank classroom facility, better workshops and the revamped Long Gallery in the Castle.
The childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I, is popular with students wanting to learn about the Tudor period but a wide range of workshops and resources are also available to schools wishing to visit.
Hever Castle has an impressive collection of Tudor portraits, many of which are showcased in the Long Gallery, which was guest curated by historian Dr David Starkey in 2018. This tells the story of the Tudors and depicts the saga from the Wars of the Roses to the Reformation through the paintings.
Schools trips have the option of a self-guided visit, a private guided tour of the Castle or a workshop. School packs include a host of classroom resources, teaching aids, maps and health and safety information.
Costs for school trips start from £5.65 per pupil (5-15) with interactive audio guides now included with Castle entry. The newly updated guides include fun games like Feed the King in the Castle’s Dining Hall.
Lucky dip goodie bags are also available for an extra £4 per bag.
The Think Tank classroom is available for school trips to book for workshops and lunches (subject to availability).
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.