Hever Castle and Gardens: stay in one of 28 five star luxury B&B bedrooms
00:42, 23 September 2018
If you’d like a night living like royalty, stay for a night at Hever Castle.
Sink into your deep, sumptuous bed and imagine that, Henry VIII slept a few feet away when he came to the castle during his seven-year courtship of Anne Boleyn, before she became his queen for just 1,000 days.
The 13th century castle is bursting with history, but if the thought of sleeping in a bed that old doesn't appeal, don't worry, as the B&B area of the castle is in the Astor Wing, an Edwardian section built by a later owner.
As part of his lavish renovations, William Waldorf Astor commissioned the Tudor Village, now the Astor Wing, alongside the castle, and surrounded by the exquisite gardens.
He insisted his craftsmen use period tools to ensure the finish was sympathetic to the castle's heritage.
The wing is now five star bed and breakfast accommodation, with 28 luxury bedrooms in it and the Anne Boleyn Wing, designed in Tudor style.
You know you're in for a special stay, when you have to drive through private gates with a buzzer to park.
Look for rich fabrics, crisp linens and panelled walls, plus mattresses you can sink into. All bedrooms are en-suite with sumptuous fittings and walk-in showers you only can dream of normally Monday to Friday.
Guests can enjoy a stroll in the grounds after the castle has closed in the evening - we headed out at dusk and met just one other guest doing the same. Be sure to take your room's Hever Castle umbrella with you if it's not a dry day. This is not an evening for ordinary umbrellas.
There are no evening meal facilities at the castle, but there are pubs and restaurants nearby, or you can dine in the clubhouse at the Golf Club, which has an 18 hole championship course, a mile down the road. You can also pre-order a selection of wines, champagnes and flowers to your room for when you arrive.
The rooms overlook an immaculate courtyard and, in the morning, you'll be spoilt for choice.
A short walk along a few corridors takes you to the dining room, where you will be surrounded by wood panelled walls and history alongside an array of breakfast choices.
Guests can also enjoy the castle in the day too after they've checked out. As you get to look around the castle and gardens when no-one else is there, you could also join a Hidden Hever tour, which is run before the castle opens to the public in the mornings, and gives you a chance to see areas not usually on view.
To book your stay visit hevercastle.co.uk, email events@hevercastle.co.uk or call 01732 861800.