Wolf Hall Brings Tudors to Life

January 26 2015 | Attractions Castle Groups History

Set against the backdrop of Tudor England during the time of Henry VIII, the BBC2 adaptation of Wolf Hall has been well received by critics and the public alike. As the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Hever Castle played a historical importance in her courtship with Henry and in the couple’s lives. From his hunting lodge at nearby Penshurst Place, Henry would visit Anne at Hever in his quest to seduce her.

Featured in the Telegraph Travel as one of the “best Tudor sights in England,” a visit to Hever Castle helps inspire the imagination as to how Anne would have felt during their romance. Stunning waxwork displays in the Long Gallery depict various stages of her life, and a visit to the room where she likely slept as a child helps bring the past to life.

Describing Hever Castle as “a must for Tudor acolytes,” historian and author Suzannah Lipscomb went on to say “its chief treasure, for my money, is a Book of Hours in which Anne herself inscribed the words ‘Le temps viendra/Je Anne Boleyn’ (‘The time will come/I Anne Boleyn’).”

A symbol of the couple’s love is evident in the replica of the carriage clock thought to have been given by Henry to Anne on their wedding day, which sits proudly in the opulent Inner Hall alongside a portrait of Anne Boleyn.

Regularly used as a location for filming and photoshoots, Hever Castle recently hosted historian and author Kate Williams who filmed two BBC iWonder segments at the historic venue to tie in with the Wolf Hall experience.

Whether you are an existing history buff, have developed a new intrigue about the Tudors from watching Wolf Hall, or are just looking for an enjoyable day out in the countryside, be sure to visit Hever Castle once it re-opens on 14th February. With a varied event schedule throughout the year, Hever caters for groups, families, and individuals and even offers luxury bed and breakfast accommodation.

To truly make the most of your Tudor experience, gather together a group of 15 or more and embark on the In The Footsteps of Tudors Tour which combines a visit to Hever Castle with a trip to Penshurst Place, one of the Wolf Hall filming locations (pre-booking essential).