Owners

Waldo – 18th and 19th centuries

Timothy Waldo purchased the Castle and 1300 acres in 1749. He was a wealthy lawyer and City merchant becoming Attorney of the King’s Bench, Solicitor in Chancery, and Liveryman and Clerk of the Salter’s Company. He was knighted in 1769.  Waldo married Catherine Wakefield in 1736 and had one daughter, Jane. Jane inherited the Castle on the death of her father in 1786. By then Jane had married George Medley of Buxted, MP for East Grinstead. Jane outlived her husband and died childless in 1829, aged 91. Her large estate went to her cousin, also named Jane Waldo. When Jane died in Tunbridge Wells in 1841 this branch of the Waldo family became extinct.

Waldo

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The Castle

History

The original medieval defensive castle with its gatehouse and walled bailey was built in 1270. In the 15th and 16th centuries the Bolyens added the Tudor dwelling within the walls. The Castle was then owned by a number of families before William Waldorf Astor invested time, money and imagination in restoring the Castle, building the ’Tudor Village’ and creating the gardens and lake.

Heraldry

The coats of arms in the stained glass in the Long Gallery of the Castle commemorate the different residents of Hever Castle since it was built including: Anne of Cleves, William de Hever, Anne Boleyn and Sir John Fastolf. Learn more about the symbolism behind these designs.

Timelines

Discover the history of Hever Castle, its owners and inhabitants as you travel through time from its construction in 1270 to the present day. These easy-to-use timelines enable you to learn more about key events and how the past owners have shaped the estate we see today.

Tours & Trails

Bring 700 years of Hever Castle history to life with one of the following: an audio guide, a private guided tour or purchase a guide book from the Hever Shop when you visit. Enjoyable trails to follow with young visitors to the castle can also be downloaded.

Owners