As the air turns crisp and a rich display of autumn colour envelops the countryside, pack your walking boots or wellies and head to Hever Castle to enjoy the crunch of leaves underfoot and spectacular autumn tints.
The Castle is arguably at its romantic best in the autumn when the Boston Ivy adorning the front of the Castle turns a vivid shade of red. You will be treated to glorious displays of autumn colour with the rich yellow, red and orange leaves of beech mingling with liquidambars, tulip trees and Japanese maples, all contributing to an explosion of colour.
This autumn we have plenty going on to keep everyone entertained. Wander through the grounds at your own pace with a self guided tour or take part in the various activities. Hever Castle’s Head Gardener and his team will be hosting weekly demonstrations on Wednesday 4, 11 and 18 October. There will be a different focus each week and you can learn about container gardens, the trees found on the Estate, and dahlias. See below for further details on each workshop.
On Friday 6 October you will discover a display showcasing the wide range of interesting fungi that may be found at Hever and in Kent. Plus, botanical artist and gardener Felix Green will be showcasing the newly created ‘dye garden’ on Friday 13 October. On Thursday 12 – Saturday 14 October you will be able to meet Yuki, the founder of Cultivate Lifestyle blog. Yuki will be showing how you can make some delicious foods such as cordials, fruit leathers and syrups from wild foods such as haws, elderberry, sloes and an introduction to some simple foraging.
View a gallery of photos of Autumn Colour at Hever Castle on Hever Castle’s Pinterest.
Plus, make sure you read the Autumn Watch news item before you visit so you know exactly what autumn colour can be discovered in the gardens.
Autumn Colour: From 30 September
Self-guided garden tour – Included in admission
Collect a map on arrival or download the map below and take in the beauty of the gardens at your pace.
Download: Map
Weekly demonstration (4 Oct) – Included in admission
Join Hever Castle’s gardeners for a tour of the dahlia border.
Times: 11:30 and 14:00
Date: Wednesday 4 October
Location: Meet at the Castle Forecourt
Weekly demonstration (11 Oct) – Included in admission
Neil will be creating a delightful container garden full of bulbs and colour for the coming months.
Times: 11:30 and 14:00
Date: Wednesday 11 October
Location: Garden Exhibition
Weekly demonstration (18 Oct) – Included in admission
Join gardener Darren for a tour of selected trees in the gardens. You will learn about Japanese Maples, Acers and the colourful trees in the grounds.
Times: 11:30 and 14:00
Date: Wednesday 18 October
Location: Meet at the Information Hut
Fun Tree Facts – Included in admission
As you wander through the grounds you will find interesting and fun facts about the trees on Hever Castle’s Estate.
Location: Grounds
Fungi Display – Included in admission
There will be a display of information and specimens showcasing the wide range of interesting fungi that may be found at Hever and in Kent. Hever has some special and rare fungi which you may find yourself when walking around the grounds. Feast your eyes on them, but please leave these valuable resources for the wildlife and don’t pick them.
Times: 11:00 – 16:00
Date: Friday 6 October
Location: Outside the Hever Shop
Dye Garden Talk/Tour – Included in admission
Botanical artist and gardener Felix will be showcasing the newly created ‘dye garden’ and sharing tips on how the best plants to grow for dye harvesting and textile use.
Times: 11:30 and 14:00
Date: Friday 13 October
Location: Meet at the Castle Forecourt
RSPB – Included in admission
Learn how to enjoy and respect wildlife, whilst finding out about different wildlife habitats.
Times: 11:00 – 16:00
Date: 21 & 29 October
Location: Near the Hever Shop
Cultivate Life – Included in admission
Yuki Solle from Cultivate Life Blog will be showing how you can make some delicious foods such as cordials, fruit leathers, & syrups from wild foods such as haws, elderberry, sloes & an introduction to some simple foraging! Find out what you can do with conkers, and other useful tips with dock & plantain leaves for cleaning & other natural uses!
Times: 11:00 – 16:00
Date: 12 – 14 October
Location: Near the Hever Shop
Included with admission
Parts of the gardens and Lake Walk are likely to be boggy in autumn – wellies or walking boots are recommended. Many parts of the gardens are accessible to prams; however, you may find that an off-road buggy or child carrier is necessary to enjoy some parts of the grounds.
For your own safety, we advise wheelchair and mobility scooters keep to the hard surfaced and shingle paths. For more information please read our accessibility statement.
Always check details before travelling. Hever Castle reserves the right to close all or part of the Castle, grounds, catering outlets and activities, and to change or cancel and events. Please note that use of partner offers may be restricted or not valid on event days.
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.
