Summer time at Hever Castle is wonderful. The gardens are looking lovely with wonderful colours along the dahlia border, and there’s plenty to see and do. To help you make the most of your summer we’ve put together our top ten things to do in August come rain or shine.
1. Watch a Jousting tournament
The Knights of Royal England battle it out every weekend this August. Witness spectacular displays of action, stunts, falls and fights in an authentic arena complete with Royal Box.
Come and have a go at the ancient sport of archery. Available throughout the school holidays, you can put your skills to the test and see how you would have fared on the medieval battleground.
Take a peaceful walk around the lake and along the way see bird boxes that are home to owls, blue tits, robins and woodpeckers and look out for kingfishers, swans, herons and crested grebes on the lake itself. At the foot of the lake there are three second world war pill boxes built to defend a key crossing point on the River Eden. You will also find our wonderful flower meadow near the Japanese Tea House. The walk takes approximately 1 hour at a leisurely pace.
4. Learn to be a Knight or Princess
Throughout the summer holidays young visitors can experience what it was like to grow up and serve in a royal household in medieval times at Knights & Princesses School. New for 2019 your kids will also learn how to slay a dragon before receiving their ‘School Certificate’ and being officiated as Knights, Princes and Princesses of Hever Castle.
5. Watch an open air performance
The Festival Theatre is an open air venue set in the gardens of Hever Castle. Located on the Two Sisters Lawn adjacent to Anne Boleyn Walk, the Theatre is surrounded by delightful flower beds and an abundance of ornamental trees. For performance dates and bookings at The Festival Theatre go to: www.heverfestival.co.uk
6. Take part in ‘Solley’s Selfie’
Solley’s Ice Cream is made locally in Kent and sold around the grounds at Hever Castle. Solley’s are giving away a FREE 750ml tub of ice cream to the best selfie they receive, so get snapping!
Bring your youngsters to explore our play areas. Your children will be able to freely explore and use their imagination in Acorn Dell (photographed below). Slightly older kids will be able to explore Tudor Towers Adventure Playground – a nine metre tall wooden play castle, bigger than a four bedroom house and complete with its own moat, drawbridge and three turrets. There’s plenty of fun to be had!
8. Hire a boat
Discover the beauty and serenity of the lake at your own pace in one of our rowing boats, canoes or pedalos. Boating is available for hire from the Edwardian boathouse on the lakeside near the Loggia.
Stay in the sumptuous surroundings of Hever Castle Bed and Breakfast. Set in the glorious Kent countryside you can take in all the Hever Castle & Gardens has to offer, with complimentary access to the Castle and grounds during opening hours and access to the gardens when the estate is closed to the public.
10. Play the express golf course
Enjoy the exciting ‘Express Golf Course’ featuring oversized holes and a shorter course for a quicker game. Perfect for those just starting out or looking for a short fun round with friends.
We hope you found this guide useful for things to do in August!
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.
