April events at hever castle
Step into Hever Castle’s garden this spring. The gardens have awoken and ignited into life with plenty of vibrant colour in the Italian Garden, whilst pastel pink magnolia and cherry 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 6pm.
Join us for Easter Family Fun and hop through the grounds looking for colourful carrots, a delightful alternative to a classic Easter egg hunt. The tulips have already created a carnival of colour through the grounds and they are already putting on a show for you. Perhaps the best thing about this time of year is the bank holidays – we all love them and here at Hever Castle you can spend the May bank holiday weekend taking in the spring spirit at a May Day Festival.
Take a closer look at what’s on in April and beyond:
- Easter Family Fun
- Tulip Celebrations
- May Day Festival
- RHS Courses
- Health & Wellbeing Centre
- Summer Parties
- Green Fees
EASTER FAMILY FUN: UNTIL 22 APRIL
Not your normal Easter egg hunt! Make some special family memories this Easter, hop through the beautiful grounds following the trail of colourful carrots to claim your delicious chocolate treat. Plus, look out for the golden carrot to be in with the chance of winning an Easter hamper!
ACTIVITIES
- Colourful carrots Easter hunt
- Easter bonnet craft workshop
- Easter best bonnet parade
- Castle bunny hunt
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.
With a spring in your step, head into the Castle and help search for hidden bunnies. They’ve been rather mischievous and we can’t seem to find them!
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: 24 – 30 APRIL
Mother Nature clearly had her own plan this year and the tulips have bloomed slightly earlier than expected. If you are planning to visit Hever Castle for the tulips we want you to know what has bloomed and what has not! Therefore, we have set up this news page. We will continue to update this page with photographs so you can decide when you would like to visit the tulips.
The Italian Garden at Hever Castle 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.
You will be able to enjoy a self-guided tulip trail throughout the grounds. Plus if you would like a more immersive tour of the Tulips, there will be free tours with Hever Castle’s head gardener, Neil Miller, at 11:30 each day.
The striking blooms will continue inside the Castle with tulip displays by in-house florist Pamela Brise.
Buy tickets online to save, see partner offers for exclusions.
May Day Festival, may bank holiday weekend: 4 – 6 may
Celebrate May Day at Hever Castle with a weekend of fun family activities and traditional May Day customs.
Join Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn and 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. Plus, follow the Green Man from folklore in a traditional 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 plus optional units. 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.
HEALTH & WELLBEING CENTRE
Mindfulness and wellbeing are such an important part of our lives. With this in mind, we are very excited to announce that the new Hever Castle Health & Wellbeing Centre is now open to the public!
The Clinic consists of five rooms with three osteopaths, a massage therapist, a physiotherapist and a beautician.
The Studio also hosts Yoga, Pilates, Paracise™ & Flexfit classes.
All treatments and classes are available to both visitors and members.
The availability of various treatments and classes on offer means you get the very best of care whether it be for back, muscle or joint pain, that niggling sports injury or that much needed relaxation or stress release after a busy week. The Hever Castle Health & Wellbeing Centre can accommodate all your needs and refer you to the appropriate therapist all on one site.
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 Castle.
With an abundance of outside space on offer at Hever Castle, step into summer 2019 with party packages that combine the history of the 680-acre estate with beautifully designed menus to suit.
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 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
The season is upon us. The greens are running fast & true, fairways freshly mown and trees have blossomed. Now is the time get your clubs out and play Hever Castle Golf Club! Find those extra golfers to get your 4 ball reduced green fee use booking code “4BALL” upon booking. Check out the current green fee rates:
Membership renewals are due… Time for a new club?
Hever Castle Golf Club has outstanding benefits including in the membership packages and there is currently no joining fee.
Please click here to find out more or email membership@hevercastle.co.uk for more information.
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