April events at hever castle
Step into our garden this spring. The gardens have awoken and have ignited into life with vibrant colour in the Italian Garden and pastel pink magnolia hues surround the Castle courtyard. There’s never been a better time to fall in love with the Kent countryside. April is set to be the most exciting month of the year yet as we reopen daily until 6 pm.
Of course our much loved, Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt is back, a delightful alternative to the Easter egg hunt – because everyone loves Lindt! Celebrate St George’s Day on the 22nd and join us for our new Tulip event from the 18th. Creating a carnival of colour through the grounds, don’t miss our first Tulip festival in Kent. Perhaps the best thing about this time of year is the bank holidays – we all love them and here at Hever you can spend the May bank holiday weekend taking in the spring spirit at our May Day Festival.
Take a closer look at what’s on in April and beyond:
- Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt – easter event!
- Tulip Celebrations – new event!
- St George’s Day
- May Day Festival
- RHS courses
- Summer Parties
- Spring Green Fee offer on the Championship Course
EASTER FAMILY FUN: UNTIL 15 APRIL
Not your normal Easter egg hunt! Make some special family memories this Easter, hop through the beautiful grounds following the trail of the Lindt Gold Bunny to claim your delicious chocolate treat. Find the Magic. Find the Lindt Gold Bunny!
ACTIVITIES
- Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt
- Easter bonnet craft workshop
- Easter best bonnet parade
- Castle quiz
Celebrate spring by making and decorating an Easter bonnet at daily craft workshops.* Then show off your creation in a parade in front of the Castle with prizes for the best bonnets.
Put your thinking cap on with a fun quiz in the Castle about the history of Easter and the traditions of the season.
As well as the Easter themed activities a visit to Hever Castle in spring offers a great chance to explore the stunning gardens. Visitors can enjoy a dazzling display of spring blooms from late-flowering daffodils to hyacinths, camellias and tulips.
Buy tickets online to save, see partner offers for exclusions.
TULIP CELEBRATIONS: 18 – 27 APRIL
The second Tulip Celebrations event as part of the Tulip Festival at Hever Castle & Gardens will be even bigger with 20,000 tulips in bloom in the stunning grounds of the childhood home of Anne Boleyn.
Visitors will be able to enjoy a tulip trail either self-guided or with Hever’s Head Gardener Neil Miller and marvel at the 20,000 tulips, in a myriad of colours and different varieties planted in the Castle grounds; along the architecturally stunning Pompeiian Wall, in the traditional Tudor Garden and the sumptuous Italian Garden.
The Italian Garden at Hever will play host to the largest of the tulip planting displays with a kaleidoscope of colours fanning down the length of the gardens towards the Loggia and the lake.
Visitors will be able to collect a leaflet and enjoy a self-guided tulip trail throughout the grounds. For an even more immersive experience, free tulip garden tours will also be available with Hever Castle’s head gardener Neil Miller at 11:30 each day.
Buy tickets online to save, see partner offers for exclusions.
St George’s Day: 22 April
Celebrate St George’s Day with the family at Hever. Hear tales of George’s adventures and meet his dragon – Flame – and try to avoid his smoke and ear splitting roar!
Buy tickets online to save, see partner offers for exclusions.
May Day Festival, may bank holiday weekend: 29 April – 1 may
Celebrate May Day at Hever Castle with a weekend of fun family activities and traditional May Day customs.
Join the Lord and Lady of the May on the Castle forecourt and see the crowning of the May Queen. Visitors are invited to dance around the Maypole with brightly coloured ribbons intertwined. This age old custom is followed by demonstrations of May Day Dancing accompanied by 16th century music.
Meet the mythical Jack-in-the-Green. Follow the Green Man from folklore in a customary May Day procession through the gardens as he wakes up the plants for summer with the help of children and their magical May bells. Full event details here.
Buy tickets online to save, see partner offers for exclusions.
RHS LEVEL 2 COURSES
Hever Castle has partnered with the Royal Horticultural Society once again as an Approved Centre to host three RHS Level 2 courses starting in September.
Whether you’re looking to develop your skills or take the first steps into a career in horticulture, these courses are the perfect pairing to a love of gardening.
Click the links below to see further information on course content, schedule, dates, costs and how to apply:
RHS LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE IN THE PRINCIPLES OF PLANT GROWTH, PROPAGATION AND DEVELOPMENT
This theory-based qualification provides knowledge of the scientific principles which underpin horticultural practices:
1. Plant classification, structure and function
2. Plant nutrition and the properties and management of soils and growing media
3. Maintaining plant health through understanding pest, disease and weed lifecycles
4. Principles and practices of plant propagation in horticulture
RHS LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE IN THE PRINCIPLES OF GARDEN PLANNING, ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE
This theory-based course provides a firm foundation of knowledge to anyone interested in horticulture as well as providing a route to employment in professional horticulture and supporting career development for those already working in the profession:
1. Understanding garden features, plant selection and planning
2. Understanding the choice, establishment and maintenance of garden plants and lawns
3. Understanding the production of outdoor vegetables and fruit
4. Understanding protected environments and their use in plant cultivation
RHS LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE IN PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE
A practical-based qualification to develop the essential skills needed to work in horticulture or to further develop your interest. The qualification consists of 6 mandatory units and 1 optional unit. Credits for a unit will be awarded to a candidate once the candidate has reached the level of competency for all the specified tasks. Each unit will be assessed by means of a range of practical activities timetabled and assessed within the approved centre. They will cover all learning outcomes specified in the unit.
SUMMER PARTY PACKAGES
Looking for the perfect venue to hold your summer party? With a beautiful mix of old English charm, unapologetic luxury, rich history, and award winning gardens – let it be Hever.
With an abundance of outside space on offer at Hever Castle, step into summer 2017 with party packages that combine the history of the 680-acre estate with beautifully designed menus to suit.
Italian Garden Summer Party packages combine an Italian inspired menu with the Italian inspired planting and statuary found in the formal Italian Garden.
Astor Summer Party packages combine the American influence of William Waldorf Astor who resided in the Castle and built the Astor Wing in the early 1900’s, with an American inspired menu.
Both packages offer the flexibility to build on what is listed. You may add additional beverages, expand the menus or perhaps add some summer entertainment to enhance the party atmosphere. Quote for upon request.
If you would like to visit and view either venue option or check date availability please contact Kate Rowbottom on krowbottom@hevercastle.co.uk.
GREEN FEES CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE SPRING OFFER
Take on Hever’s own Amen Corner. The 11th, 12th and 13th on Hever’s Championship course might be the closest we all get!
Play the Championship Course with our special spring offer of just £35pp Monday – Sunday throughout April, saving £5 mid-week and £10 on weekends.
Book now and use the promo code MASTERS to secure your discounted rates.
T&Cs. Must be pre-booked either over the phone or online maximum 1 week in advance.
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