Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast – Stay Overnight at Anne Boleyn’s Castle

Did you know that you can stay overnight at Anne Boleyn’s Castle in Kent?

It’s called Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast, and it was a dream come true for me as a history lover who’s obsessed with the Tudors.

Even better, you can go inside Hever Castle as part of your stay and explore the manicured grounds after hours. 

I booked a delightful staycation in the autumn, when the creeping vines on the fortress turned red, and the grounds were perfect for leaf peeping.

I had such an enchanting time, and I would sleep there again in a heartbeat.

Here is how to stay overnight at Hever Castle and everything you can do on your whimsical retreat. 

Hever Castle history

Hever Castle began as a country home in the 13th century, but in the 15th century it became the Boleyn family’s seat.

Thomas Boleyn inherited the castle in 1505, and he lived here with his wife, Lady Elizabeth Howard, and three children: George, Mary and Anne. 

Although we can’t be sure of Anne Boleyn’s exact birth date, we do know she was born at Blickling Hall in Norfolk.

She later spent her youth at Hever Castle before Margaret of Austria educated her in the Habsburg Netherlands court.

Anne Boleyn’s Castle

Little did Anne know that, while she was growing up at Hever Castle, she was to become one of England’s most controversial queens. 

Anne caught King Henry VIII’s attention when she returned to English court and he visited the Boleyn family home during their courtship.

After he annulled his marriage and broke with the Catholic Church, Anne married him in 1533 (though they had married in secret a year earlier).

She was then crowned Queen of England later that year but her inability to conceive a son sealed her downfall.

Finally, she was tragically beheaded based on false charges made in the crossfire of a tyrant’s battle for power and legitimacy. 

She was all but erased from the history books, but her legacy lived on with her only daughter, the formidable Queen Elizabeth I.

After Queen Anne and the Boleyn family’s fall from grace, Henry VIII seized the castle and bestowed it on Anne of Cleves as part of their annulment.

It fell into disrepair until William Waldorf Astor restored it as a family residence. 

Today, it’s a Grade I listed monument and popular tourist attraction in Kent. 

Can you stay overnight at Hever Castle?

Yes, the amazing thing about Hever Castle is that you can stay overnight.

You won’t be staying in the medieval fortress itself but in either the Anne Boleyn Wing or Astor Wing of the Edwardian manor behind it. 

As part of your stay, you will get free entry to Hever Castle and you can explore the formal grounds at your leisure once the crowds leave.

There are two options to spend the night:

1. Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast
2. Medley Court 

Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast 

I chose to stay overnight at Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast, which is a luxury five-star accommodation in Kent. 

They have a selection of refurbished heritage suites and cosy rooms where you can enjoy the castle, grounds and breakfast in a Tudor Hall.

It’s a unique opportunity to stay in Anne Boleyn’s Castle and experience a slice of Tudor history like never before.

As part of your retreat, you’ll have plenty to do to make your stay unforgettable. 

Things to do on a Hever Castle Retreat

1. Check into Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast

I booked a heritage room in the Anne Boleyn Wing at Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast.

I was delighted to find a four-poster bed, green velvet furnishings, and carved wooden furniture.

It felt like I was spending the evening at Tudor court. But I had all the modern amenities to be comfortable in today’s world.

Along with a comfy bed, I had a dressing table, wardrobe, and an armchair. There was also a kettle and coffee facilities. 

2. Lounge in their snugs 

In addition to relaxing in your bedroom at Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast, you can unwind in one of its snug rooms.

You can sit back on comfy sofas by a cracking fireplace in the Astor Wing Lounge, or with a drink in the Billiards Room. 

If the weather is fine, there is also a Courtyard Garden with outdoor seating around a feature water fountain. 

In the evening, they have a William Waldorf Bar inspired by the legacy of William Waldorf Astor. 

3. Tour Inside Hever Castle

After relaxing for a while after my long drive, I went for a self-guided tour inside Hever Castle.

All guests at Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast can enter for free as part of their stay as many times as they like during opening hours. 

As soon as you cross the double moat and under the portcullis to enter the Medieval Gatehouse, you’ll be transported back in time. 

The main courtyard has a wonderful collection of Tudor beam buildings, and the autumn leaves were such a vibrant orange. 

Inside Hever Castle, you’ll find the Inner Hall, which has a collection of adjoining residential rooms the Astor family used.  

But large sections have also been preserved from the 16th century, when the Boleyn family resided here like the Great Hall. 

There were also medieval rooms filled with arms and armour, installed to defend the fortress if it ever went under siege. 

My favourite parts were exploring the historic Tudor galleries and Anne Boleyn’s childhood bedroom. 

Anne Boleyn’s Bedroom 

The only way I can describe climbing a winding stone staircase to Anne Boleyn’s bedroom is surreal.

It’s mind-blowing that this castle lets you follow in the footsteps of this once-great monarch. 

You can explore the rooms where the Boleyn family lived, with woven rush floors, four-poster beds, and tapestries. 

She is thought to have stayed in the Best Bedchamber when she left court because of her love scandal with Henry. 

King Henry VIII’s Bedchamber is nearby, but he likely didn’t stay overnight. 

There’s also a delightful Staircase Gallery with Tudor portraits and a Book of Hours room, with Anne Boleyn’s Book of Hours on display.

Long Gallery 

Another part of visiting Hever Castle I enjoyed was stepping inside the Long Gallery, filled with Holbein-esque portraits. 

It was created when Thomas Boleyn resided here in the 16th century and was used for entertaining guests or exercise. 

The gallery depicts the Tudor dynasty and characters from the Wars of the Roses and the Reformation. 

It’s a great opportunity to travel back in time and see what a long gallery would have been like in the reign of Henry VIII. 

4. Hever Castle Gardens

After your tour inside Hever Castle, you’re free to explore the award-winning gardens. 

You can visit the Italian Garden created by William Waldorf Astor, which contains many of his statues. 

Explore clipped yew hedges, a Pompeian Wall, and a 38-acre lake. You can also visit the Rose Garden, with 5,000 rose bushes.

If you’re feeling in the mood to solve a puzzle, you can enter their 100-year-old Yew Maze or get splashed in the Water Maze.

You’ll also find grottoes, streams, fountains, and ponds all over the landscaped grounds.

Or explore the outer woodlands with Anne Boleyn’s Walk, which leads you to a collection of mature trees. 

5. Loggia Fountain (Nymph Fountain)

Did you know Hever Castle has its own version of Rome’s Trevi Fountain?

The Loggia Fountain, also known as the Nymph’s Fountain, sits on the lower piazza by the lake. 

William Waldorf Astor commissioned it, and William Silver Frith sculpted it in 1908.

The design was based on the Trevi Fountain and cherubs, and nymphs were carved from Pentelic marble quarried near Athens.

6. Find Hever Castle filming locations

Hever Castle has caught the eye of many production teams over the years, as it looks perfectly preserved from the Tudor age.

There have been many productions filmed here, including:

• The Great (2020-2023)
• The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
• Inkheart (2008)
• Anne of a Thousand Days (1969)
• Lady Jane (1986)

7. Buy Hever Castle Gifts 

As a history lover, I adored the Hever Castle gift shops on the grounds. 

They had all sorts of Tudor-inspired gifts and separate shelves for King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn.

You could find Tudor key rings, cards, books and even scarves and bags inspired by medieval tapestries.

They sold a replica of the iconic Anne Boleyn ‘B’ necklace with a set of faux pearls.

I wore my personalised one with an ’S’ during my visit, which I ordered from Westminster Abbey years ago. 

But I also bought a book of Henry VIII’s love letters to Anne Boleyn from their early courtship. 

8. Explore Hever Castle at night

Another opportunity included with your stay at Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast is free access to the grounds after the crowds leave for the day. 

The castle will be closed, but you can explore the grounds at your leisure.

I particularly loved strolling around the castle moat at night and waking up early to enjoy the formal gardens in peace. 

9. Dine at King Henry VIII Hever

Hever Castle doesn’t have a restaurant for dinner on the premises, but there is a very good pub just a short walk away.

King Henry VIII Hever is a historic English pub just outside the castle grounds, and it has been there since 1597.

The current building dates back to 1647, and it offers a historic retreat for a drink or dinner. 

I visited during my stay, and entering feels like stepping back in time, with its flagstone floors and wooden tables.

In October, the cosy fireplace crackled, and I could have spent a good while admiring all the Tudor portraits on the walls. 

10. Have breakfast in a Grand Tudor Hall

One of the best parts about staying overnight at Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast is having breakfast in their Tudor Hall.

Breakfast is included in your room rate, and you can order a fresh Full English Breakfast with all the trimmings.

They also offer hot drinks, juice, and a wealth of tasty continental options like pastries, fruit, and yoghurts. 

I honestly felt like a medieval queen dining in this spectacular room, and I kept pinching myself to make sure it was real. 

Is staying overnight at Hever Castle worth it?

Yes, definitely. I have had a lifelong admiration for Anne Boleyn ever since I was a child and was introduced to the Tudors at school.

I’ve read countless books, visited endless Tudor buildings and watched many adaptations, including The Tudors and The Spanish Princess.

Staying overnight in Anne Boleyn’s castle and exploring her childhood home was a dream come true.

It was worth every penny spent, especially in autumn, which was the perfect time for leaf peeping. 

If you also love history, you must book an overnight stay at Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast. It feels like a chapter in your very own fairytale. 

How much does it cost to stay at Hever Castle?

Staying overnight at Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast is not as costly as you may think; rooms start at just £250 a night.

I paid £270 for my heritage room in the Anne Boleyn Wing, but they also have suites in the Astor Wing. 

Remember, as part of your stay, you get access to all the amenities, castle, gardens, and breakfast. 

I thought it was worth every penny. As someone who is obsessed with Tudor history and Anne Boleyn, it was a dream come true. 

As it’s so popular, I recommend booking a room a couple of weeks (or months) in advance. 

When is the best time to visit Anne Boleyn’s Castle?

There isn’t a ‘bad’ time to visit Hever Castle, as it’s a delightful historic complex year-round.

In my opinion, the best time to visit is in autumn, when the leaves change, and the grounds become a riot of colour.

The creeping vines on the fortress turn ruby red, and the castle often hosts Halloween events. 

Also, the estate is only open to visitors from February through to December. It closes in January. 

How to visit Hever Castle

Hever Castle & Gardens is a popular tourist attraction near Kent, and the easiest way to visit is by car.

It’s accessible from the M25 Motorway via junctions 5 or 6 and off the B2026 road near Edenbridge.

Residents have free parking at the back of the property. Just let reception know when you check in. 

If you’re not driving, you can take the Southern Railway from central London to Hever Station.

If you’re not staying, you will need to book your tickets online. Anne Boleyn’s castle is typically open from 10.30 am to 6 pm daily.

Places to visit near Hever Castle

Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast is a delightful property tucked away in the rolling hills of Kent.

You can use the lodging as a base to explore nearby attractions during your stay. 

Here are some of my favourite places I recommend:

Hundred Acre Wood & Pooh Corner

Just a few miles from Hever Castle, you can visit the real Hundred Acre Wood that inspired A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh. 

You can walk down to the famous Pooh Sticks Bridge and see cute houses of characters like Owl, Piglet, Pooh and Rabbit. Watch out for Heffalumps.

In Hatfield Village, you can pop into Pooh Corner, a Winnie the Pooh-themed café.

Treat yourself to an adorable afternoon tea with Pooh-shaped toast with hunny or visit the free museum and shop filled with memorabilia. 

1066 Country

1066 Country in East Sussex surrounds the Battle of Hastings, one of the most important dates in British history.

This was the year when William the Conqueror became King of England and changed the country’s future forever. 

I recommend starting at Battle Abbey and the Hastings Battlefield to learn all about this historic event. 

You can also visit Pevensey Castle, where the Normans first landed on English shores, and end your 1066 tour in Winchelsea. 

There are many more castles to visit, like Bodiam Castle, Scotney Castle and Herstmonceux in the wider High Weald AONB.

Or visit quaint historic villages like Rye with the ancient Mermaid Street and Ypres Tower.

For more of the scenic coastline, visit Hastings, Bexhill-on-Sea, or Camber Sands.

Read more of my Tudor England guides

Anne Boleyn symbols at Hampton Court Palace

Shakespeare attractions in Stratford-upon-Avon

How to visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage 

Haddon Hall – Visit Thornfield Hall from Jane Eyre

How to visit the Tulip Stairs in Greenwich 

How to visit Chetham’s Library in Manchester 

How to visit King Arthur’s Round Table

How to visit Hardwick Hall in the Peak District

Save Hever Castle Bed & Breakfast for later