Hever Castle

On one of Smee's Day Out adventures, he visited Hever Castle and ever since has been telling me how picturesque it was and that we should return for a picnic.  It is the birthplace and childhood home of Anne Boleyn and until the last century was left in a state of disrepair.  It then came into the ownership of a very rich man - William Waldorf Astor (of the Waldorf hotel fame) - who subsequently gave it the fixer-upper it needed.  

All I needed here was my medieval dress and Smee his chain mail.  

Today was a bit colder than anticipated so we packed a few extra blankets and pretended to be homeless while eating our lunch.  The gardens were lovely much like Leeds Castle and for some reason the lake area reminded me of Versailles... although in retrospect there is barely any resemblance.  I wasn't being very Asian today and not many photos were taken!  Many ducks and other birds were out and about and socialised very well with some well behaved pet dogs.  

A few ducks did try to attack our lunch but we shooed them away. 

It wasn't the time of the year for the falconry and jousting shows (boo!) but the castle itself was open for viewing.  We did see the room where Henry VIII supposedly stayed but I am not sure if any rumpy-pumpy occurred.  Also on display were letters sent between His Royal Highness and Anne.  Written in 'ye olde English', they didn't really appear to be romantic to me but it was probably dripping with desire in those days.  

Yup if you're interested in history and want a English countryside day out, Hever Castle is an option!