If you’re looking for a family day out in Kent that combines history, beautiful gardens and plenty to keep the kids entertained, Hever Castle and Gardens should be top of your list.
I recently spent a summer day at Hever Castle with my family and, while I knew to expect a historic castle and beautiful gardens, I hadn’t realised quite how much there is to do once you get through the entrance. We spent the day walking around the lake, exploring the gardens, having a picnic, and watching an exciting jousting tournament.
And that’s before you add in the play areas, boating, woodland walks and the castle itself. So, if you’re planning a Hever Castle family day out, here’s what to know before you go, with my tips for how to have the best day.
Why visit Hever Castle in summer?
The last time I went to Hever Castle was for their Christmas event in winter. It was a spectacular day with lots to do, but naturally in winter, we couldn’t explore as much of the grounds as I would have liked.
Hever Castle is set in 125 acres of beautiful grounds, so you’re not just visiting a castle and then wondering what to do next. The historic castle is the obvious starting point, but much of our day was spent outside exploring the gardens, the lake, walking around the estate, and enjoying the special summer events including jousting and archery.
Romantic things to do at Hever Castle and Gardens
We visited as a large family unit, with grandparents, children, and aunts and uncles. This meant we were able to split off and do our own thing when we wanted. I'd highly recommend this approach, so that if you are bringing kids, you can still enjoy the romantic corners of Hever Castle and Gardens.
Our first stop: the rose garden and Italian garden
Summer is particularly lovely for the gardens at Hever. The Rose Garden is home to more than 5,000 roses, which flower from June until the end of September, while the Italian Garden has sweeping lawns, clipped yew hedges, classical sculptures, a Pompeiian Wall and the impressive Loggia overlooking the lake.
Even though we visiting as a family, it felt so romantic strolling through the beautiful gardens and watching people rowing on the lake. I felt like I had stepped into a romantic film, and it really reminded me of The Notebook.
A walk around the lake
If you do one walk during your visit, make it the Lake Walk. The 38-acre lake sits beyond the Italian Garden and the walk took us about half an hour at a leisurely pace. There’s also a nature trail to follow and you can extend the walk into the woodland, making it an easy way to turn a walk into something a little more engaging for children.
There are beautiful views across the water, with the Loggia and surrounding trees reflected in the lake. In places, willows hang over the water and the whole scene feels incredibly romantic. This part of the estate is quite secluded too, so we felt like we were the only visitors there which was lovely.
There are also plenty of little details to look out for as you walk, including the Anne of Cleves Bower House and the Japanese Tea House folly. The Anne of Cleves Bower House can be viewed from the pathway close to the lake, while the Japanese Tea House is on Sixteen Acre Island.
Further walking trails to explore
There are several walks around Hever, including a woodland walk and Anne Boleyn’s Walk, so it’s worth exploring beyond the gardens around the castle. Anne Boleyn’s Walk is particularly atmospheric, with trees planted more than 100 years ago, while the woodland walk offers a quieter route through the grounds.
There’s also New Smugglers Way at the far end of Lake Walk, following the stream towards the River Eden. My advice is to arrive as soon as the estate opens in the morning, so that you have plenty of time to explore and you don’t feel like you have to race around ticking off every attraction. The grounds are a big part of the experience, so give yourself time to wander and enjoy.
Things to do at Hever Castle with kids
One of the things I liked most about Hever Castle was that children don’t have to be interested in history to have a good day.
There are several dedicated play areas, including Tudor Towers, a nine-metre-high wooden adventure playground with a moat, drawbridge and turrets, and Acorn Dell, a natural play area aimed at younger children. There’s also a separate playground with swings, climbing equipment and an aerial runway.
The Water Maze
This is arguably one of the most iconic attractions at Hever Castle yet I genuinely didn’t know it existed before this visit, and really didn’t know what to expect. The Water Maze is made up of stepping stones over water, with hidden jets and tilting stones designed to catch you out as you try to reach the grotto in the middle.
When we arrived, there were children leaping with joy in their swimsuits and water shoes as they hopped over the water jets and explored the incredible grotto. My top tip here is to bring swimsuits, water shoes (shoes are strictly required for the Water Maze), and bring a towel because getting wet is very much part of the fun. Children under five need to be accompanied by an adult, and there are outdoor showers for rinsing off afterwards.
If you’re visiting Hever Castle in summer and it’s a warm day, this is an absolute must, and it’ll keep the kids entertained for hours. There’s also the historic Yew Maze, which is a completely different experience. It’s a traditional hedge maze, with almost a quarter of a mile of pathways to navigate.
Boating on the lake
For another fun and entertaining family activity, rowing boats and electric boats are available on selected days during the spring and summer season. This was one of the highlights of our visit so I highly recommend giving it a try.
Boating takes place at the Edwardian Boathouse near the Loggia. It’s weather and staff dependent and can’t be pre-booked, so check availability when you arrive. Children under 14 need to be accompanied by an adult, and life jackets are available on request.
Food and drink at Hever Castle
Before heading over to the events field for the jousting tournament, we had a family picnic. There are picnic benches throughout the grounds, with many of them near the Water Maze area.
We found a lovely spot in the shade with a view of the lake, which made for a much more memorable lunch than eating indoors.
For other lunch options as well as cold drinks, ice creams and more, there are plenty of cafés, restaurants and seasonal food options around the grounds. When we visited there were food trucks selling donuts, coffee, alcoholic slushies, ice creams and more.
One useful thing to know: Hever Castle's food outlets are cashless, so take a card or another contactless payment method.
Special summer events at Hever Castle
We booked our visit especially for the jousting tournament. Throughout summer there are various special events, including archery, falconry, and more.
Jousting at Hever Castle: What to expect
I was so excited for the jousting tournament, but I really wasn’t sure what to expect. There were plenty of people queuing for the event field, so initially I wondered whether we’d have much chance of getting a decent view.
As it turned out, we had nothing to worry about. There’s plenty of space around the arena, with free seating on the grass banks. My top tip here is to bring a picnic blanket to sit on, or camping chairs. There are also covered stands, but these are limited, cost £2 per seat cash only and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
We weren’t anywhere near the front of the queue and still managed to get a spot right at the front of the arena with an unobstructed view of the event.
One thing I would bear in mind, particularly with children or older family members, is that the free seating is on the grass. There’s limited shade around the jousting arena, so on a hot day you’ll want to think about sun protection and staying hydrated.
What happens at the Hever Castle jousting?
The tournament is much more theatrical than simply watching knights ride at each other with lances. The event opened with a procession by King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn from the castle onto the events field. The actor playing Henry VIII was brilliantly funny and a great host for the event.
There were stunts, falls, sword fights, galloping horses, music and commentary. The horses are Spanish/Iberian horses, and the Knights of Royal England have six Spanish horses trained for jousting and film work.
I was pleased to see how seriously the horses' welfare is taken. We were told before the show started that the horses are monitored closely in hot weather, with frequent water breaks, rest, cooling measures, and health checks.
It was incredibly fun and memorable, and every member of the family loved it. I highly recommend making sure you visit Hever Castle for the jousting events.
Other special summer events
The jousting isn’t the only reason to check Hever Castle’s summer events calendar before you visit. There are other special events throughout the season, including archery and falconry displays, which add even more to a family day out.
The archery is a great fit for the castle’s Tudor setting, while the falconry displays offer the chance to see birds of prey up close and learn more about these impressive birds.
What I liked about the events programme is that it gives you another reason to explore the grounds rather than simply visiting the castle itself. You can build your day around one of the scheduled events, then spend the rest of your time walking around the lake, exploring the gardens or letting the kids loose in the play areas.
My tip here is to check the Hever Castle events calendar before you visit. Summer events take place on specific dates, so planning ahead means you can make the most of your day and avoid missing something you’d particularly like to see.
What about the castle itself?
Of course, you can also go inside Hever Castle. It’s a 14th-century double-moat castle and was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, who later became Henry VIII’s second wife. The castle has more than 600 years of history, including its later connection with Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.
For families, I’d think of the castle as one part of a much bigger day rather than the sole reason to visit, in summer at least. You can spend time exploring the historic rooms and then head back outside to the gardens, lake, play areas and walks. That mix is what makes Hever Castle with kids work so well.
How to get to Hever Castle by train
One of the best ways to get to Hever Castle and Gardens is by train with Southern Railway. It’s more sustainable than travelling by car, and children between the ages of 5 and 15 travel for only £2 each off-peak (i.e. weekends). Even better, children under 5 travel for free.
If you’re travelling by train, there are two stations to know about: Hever and Edenbridge Town. Hever station is the closest, and it's a one-mile rural walk to the castle. There are no taxis at Hever station, but the walk is very much part of the fun.
If you’re happy with a walk, Hever station can be a good option, but bear in mind that it’s a rural route rather than a pavement-lined town walk. I’d check the conditions and route before travelling, particularly if you have a buggy or very young children.
If you’d rather avoid the rural walk, Edenbridge Town is another great option, but you’ll need to arrange transport for the final three miles.
My tips for a summer visit to Hever Castle
- Wear comfortable shoes. There’s plenty of walking to do, particularly if you want to explore the lake and woodland as well as the gardens.
- Bring swimwear and a towel for the Water Maze. This caught us out, so trust me on this one.
- Take sun protection. Much of the grounds are unshaded, including the jousting arena.
- Consider bringing a picnic. There are picnic areas around the grounds, including around Lake Walk, and it gives you the freedom to stop for lunch wherever suits you.
- Check the events calendar before you visit. If your children love knights and horses, timing your visit around the jousting could make the day even more memorable. Jousting takes place on selected dates rather than every day.
- Don't underestimate the size of the grounds. We spent the entire day exploring the grounds, enjoying the jousting, and taking in all that Hever Castle and Gardens has to offer. It’s usually open from 10:30am, and was open until 6pm on the day we visited.
- Keep an eye on the time. Many of the attractions have ‘last entry’ times, so be sure to take this into account so you don’t miss out.
Is Hever Castle worth visiting with kids?
For me, this is one of the best family days out you can do. What surprised me most was how easily the day moved between different types of activity. We could spend time looking at beautiful gardens, then walk beside the lake, have a picnic, watch medieval jousting and finish up with something as gloriously silly as trying to cross a water maze without getting soaked.
That’s what makes Hever Castle such a good family day out in Kent. You can lean into the history if that’s what your family enjoys, but there’s plenty to do if the kids would rather be outside, running around and getting wet.
If you’re travelling by train, just remember to check the latest service information before you set off and plan your journey from the station in advance.
For a summer day out, I’d say the lake walk, Rose Garden and Water Maze are the highlights not to miss. Add the jousting if your visit coincides with a tournament, pack a picnic if the weather is good, and give yourself plenty of time to explore.
Plan your visit to Hever Castle and Gardens
Website: www.hevercastle.co.uk
What's on:
- A Knight’s Tale – Daily activities
- Jousting Tournaments – Weekends
- Festival Theatre – Open-air performances
- After Hours – Evening openings
- Capturing a Queen – Anne Boleyn exhibition