Set in 150 acres of open space, Hever Castle has plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained this summer. Experience over 600 years of history at the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, take part in a series of Easter and May Day activities, enjoy sensational spring colour in the gardens, take on the yew maze, blow off steam in the playgrounds, explore the gorgeous gardens and enjoy wonderful walks.

So drumroll please. In no particular order, here are our top 10 reasons to visit Hever Castle this upcoming season…

1. See the spring flowers

This spring, Hever Castle will burst into bloom with a spectacular Celebration of Spring kicking off from the end of March. Wander through a breathtaking display of tulips, cherry and apple blossoms, magnolias, bluebells, and more, with self-guided tours throughout the season. From Tues 22 – Sun 27 April, join expert gardeners for exclusive guided tours packed with insights and tips, or get hands-on from Mon 28 April – Fri 2 May with a living wreath workshop using fresh spring foliage.

2. Celebrate Easter

This Easter, don’t miss the family fun from Sat 5 – Mon 21 April. Follow Mr. Miller’s Bunny Trail to track down mischievous rabbits causing chaos in the gardens and claim a chocolate reward. Get creative with Easter-themed crafts, including origami fortune tellers and grow-your-own cress activities. Themed face painting (£6) is available on select dates, adding an extra touch of spring fun.

3. May Day fun!

Celebrate May Day Weekend from Sat 3 – Mon 5 May with a lively mix of family fun and traditional festivities. Try your hand at Maypole dancing, watch vibrant ribbon displays, and take part in an interactive May Day play on the Castle forecourt, helping the Green Man journey through the seasons. Cheer on the tug of war, hoping for the Summer King’s victory, and enjoy face painting (£6).

4. Browse at the Craft Fair

This May, Hever Castle hosts the Spring Craft Fair from Thurs 15 – Sun 18 May, in collaboration with Craft In Focus. Set in the heart of the Kentish countryside, the fair showcases over 100 of the UK’s finest designer makers and contemporary artists, each selected for their originality and innovation. Explore a diverse range of handcrafted pieces, from jewelry and textiles to ceramics and fine art. The fair opens at 9:30am, with exhibitors closing at 5:30pm and the grounds remaining open until 6pm. Included with admission, this is a unique opportunity to discover and support British craftsmanship.

5. The Costumes of Wolf Hall

Discover the opulence of the Tudor court with a unique display of historically accurate costumes from the acclaimed TV drama of Hilary Mantel’s final novel Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Henry’s costume (worn by Damian Lewis in Wolf Hall) is on display next in the Inner Hall. The Long Gallery view features four more costumes from the TV series; Thomas Cromwell played by Mark Rylance, Jane Seymour played by Kate Phillips, Anne of Cleves played by Dana Herfurth, and Princess Mary played by Lilet Lesser.

6. Falconry Experiences

On selected dates this spring, be entertained by an exciting two-hour falconry experience which gives you the chance to see the residents of Willow Birds of Prey Centre demonstrating their amazing aerial acrobatics. Witness them diving and swooping at close range, before safely handling hawks and owls yourself. For nature lovers and those looking to make their day at Hever Castle even more special, this is an experience not to be missed! The cost of this experience is £66.95pp.

7. Water Maze

We love the Water Maze which is now open for the summer and the perfect spot to cool down (don’t forget your towel)! It’s a maze with a difference that consists of a series of concentric stepping stone walkways sitting over water, at intervals, the stones tilt when stood on and hidden water jets spring into action to soak the unwary visitor. The aim is to reach the stone grotto in the centre without getting wet but few are successful! Can you do it?

8. Play Areas

We especially love the elaborate play areas which include Acorn Dell, a natural playground for toddlers and children up to seven years old, or for older children there’s the brilliantly interactive fort, called Tudor Towers, an adventure playground aimed at children 7-14 years old. These are superb for getting their imagination going and inspiring interactive play.

9. Yew Maze

There’s also the fabulous 100 year old Yew Maze, find the eighty foot by eight foot maze next to the Castle Forecourt which remains as one of only a few traditionally designed mazes in the country. It was built in the Edwardian era by William Waldorf Astor, who along with a number of other wealthy people created mazes for their own enjoyment. There’s also almost a quarter of a mile of pathways inside to get lost in! Open all year round, weather permitting.

10. Trackman Driving Range

Located one mile from the Castle & Gardens at Hever Castle Golf Club is a new Trackman Driving Range. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced player fine-tuning your game, the Trackman technology helps track improvements with precision. Sheltered bays ensure all-weather comfort and fun and interactive games keep players of all ages and skill levels entertained. No experience is necessary. From £7 for 60 balls.