Tourist Profile
Upstairs, downstairs at Hever - a look at the lavish lifestyle of an American magnate who became king of the castle
BEAUTIFUL Hever Castle in Kent has plenty to celebrate in 2013.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the
romantic castle opening its doors to the public. It is also 110 years since the American multi-millionaire William Waldorf Astor bought the historic property near Edenbridge and set about rescuing it from its neglected state.
To celebrate the anniversaries, a new permanent exhibition looks at the legacy of the Astor years.
For while Hever is best known as the childhood home of Henry VIII’s second wife Anne Boleyn, the Astors are responsible for much of what visitors see today.
The exhibition in the castle’s Astor Suite brings the
fascinating “Upstairs Downstairs” years vividly to life. Letters and photographs tell of the castle’s restoration and creation of the magnificent gardens. Visitors can interact with everyday objects such as old-fashioned telephones and radios to listen to interviews with former “below stairs” staff and watch the Astor family’s rare collection of home movies.
William Waldorf Astor
moved from America to England in 1891 with a reputed 100 million dollars - which would be worth at 10 times that amount today – after declaring publicly that “America was no longer a fit place for a gentleman to live”.
He purchased Hever
Castle in 1903 and employed an amazing total of 748 skilled craftsmen to restore it to its former glory, adding the Tudor style village to accommodate visiting family, guests and domestic staff.
The award winning gardens were created to showcase
Astor’s unique collection of ancient Greek and Roman statuary, acquired while he was American ambassador to Italy. Laid out and planted by Joseph Cheal and Son between 1904 to 1908, it took and additional 800 men to dig out the 38-acre lake and transform 30 acres of boggy landscape into spectacular classical and natural gardens.
William Waldorf brought all the comforts of Edwardian
life to Hever Castle, which dates back to 1270. He was among the first grand country house owners to install bathrooms with modern plumbing, electricity and central heating. Below stairs, a staff of more than 30 servants enabled the family to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in the country and entertain guests including royalty and celebrities of the day on a grand scale.
Today Hever Castle and Gardens attracts more than
250,000 visitors annually from all over the world. Luxury bed and breakfast is available in the castle’s
Astor wing, which also hosts around 70 weddings and 50 private celebrations each year, ensuring the tradition of lavish hospitality.
Opening Times - Main Season
1 - 31 March: Wed - Sun Garden open 10.30am, Castle opens 12 noon, Last admission 4pm - Final exit 5pm.
1 April - 31 October: Daily Garden open 10.30am, Castle opens 12 noon, Last admission 5pm - Final exit 6pm.
Mid Kent Living 21
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