Summer at Hever Castle
Experience a summer of enchantment at Hever Castle, where history comes alive amidst lush gardens and majestic architecture. Dive into a world of captivating events, from jousting tournaments echoing with the clash of armor to vibrant festivals celebrating the Renaissance spirit. Explore the castle’s storied halls, where each room whispers tales of royalty and intrigue. Wander through the tranquil grounds adorned with blooming flora or immerse yourself in the thrill of falconry displays and outdoor theatre performances. Whether you seek adventure, culture, or simply the beauty of a summer’s day, Hever Castle promises an unforgettable journey through time and splendour.
©Alex Hare
The popular annual Jousting Tournaments return to Hever Castle
The Knights of Royal England will be entertaining visitors with exhilarating displays of action, stunts, falls and fights in an authentic arena complete with a Royal box. Join Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and the Royal Foot Soldiers in a procession to the Jousting arena.
© Ollie Dixon
The Knights of Royal England’s tournaments provide the very best in jousting and medieval entertainment. Approximately 1 1/4 hours of spectacular action, stunts, falls, fights and galloping horses, a warmup, introductions, fanfares, professional commentary, and music throughout the show. Battling it out in the saddle and on foot in one-to-one combat, the valiant knights will compete for points to find this season’s ultimate champion.
Surrounded by 150 acres of beautiful ground and award-winning gardens, historic Hever Castle provides a picturesque setting for a fantastic day of jousting. Bring a blanket to watch the tournament from the two-acre field or watch the joust in style from the medieval spectator stands (£2 per seat). Then choose which knights you support and cheer them to glory.
Test the skills you have seen on family and friends by buying mock shields, swords and armoury and finish your day off with a refreshing ice cream or cold drink.
For the fourth year running Hever Castle has organised a BSL interpreted jousting date which will take place for deaf and hard of hearing visitors on Saturday 10 August. Tickets will be available to book for this at hevercastle.co.uk
© Ollie Dixon
Jousting tournaments take place at Hever Castle on:
July: 13 & 14, 20 & 21, 27 & 28
August: 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 23 – 26, 31
September: 1st
Summer at Hever Castle: Fun for the whole family
Throughout the summer holidays (24 July – 3 September) take part in a series of hands-on activities and challenges as part of Adventures in Time Travel School (included in normal admission rates). Our adventurers travel through a mystery door but have lost the key and got stuck in time, needing help to get home. Solve riddles, learn flag signalling codes, defeat a knight and eventually balance weights correctly to unlock the door to come home.
On selected days in July and August be entertained by the falconry displays from Birds of Prey Willow Centre in Sevenoaks with two displays a day or watch the thrilling Jousting tournaments also on selected dates). BSL interpreted Jousting and falconry displays will be on offer for deaf and hard of hearing visitors at certain times, see hevercastle.co.uk for more information
Families can also enjoy the 150-acre stunning gardens at Hever Castle, the play areas, including the Tudor Towers adventure playground, the popular Water Maze and the historic Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn.
