Stained glass is the theme for this week’s #FeatureFridays with Historic Houses.
We’re taking this opportunity to look in more detail at some of the stained glass in the Long Gallery.
Much of what you see in the Castle today is the result of the remarkable efforts of a wealthy American, William Waldorf Astor, who used his fortune to restore and extend the Castle in the early 20th century.
Astor paid great attention to detail and insisted that his workmen used, as far as possible, the same materials and tools as Tudor and Elizabethan craftsmen. He also paid homage to his predecessors.
The coats of arms in the stained glass in the Long Gallery commemorate the different residents of Hever Castle since it was built including Anne Boleyn and another of Henry VIII’s six wives, Anne of Cleves.
Astor also employed Clayton & Bell – who did the Long Gallery stained glass arms – to create designs at many of his other properties, such as Two Temple Place and Cliveden.
When Astor died, Clayton & Bell were also employed to create a memorial to him in the form of a stained glass window in Hever’s St Peter’s Church: an image of Christ with children and praying mortals, which was completed in 1927.
Stained glass in the Castle is the inspiration for several gifts in the Hever Shop including these coasters (below) based on a painted glass panel on display in the Castle.
And visitors to the Miniature Model Houses exhibition (currently closed) can marvel at the wonderful windows in the medieval house.
If you enjoyed this item on stained glass, then why not discover the previous #FeatureFridays news items:
• Weddings and betrothals
• Herb gardens
• Armour and costumes
• Musical instruments
• Mazes
• Secret passageways
• Bedrooms
• American Connections
• Weapons
• Follies
• Priest Holes
• Orchards
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.
