Hever Castle, the old residence of the Boleyn family, is chock full of Henryania - as indeed the UK airwaves appear to be at the moment.
And the castle itself is very well kept up.
Actually, it only appears this well-preserved because it was completely refurbished by the then owners, the Astor family, in the early part of the Twentieth Century. The inside of the castle is a very false cod-medieval. Carved wooden walls, a minstrels' gallery, and so forth.
But it still looks pretty good.
The gardens right beside the castle include this fun topiary.
The entrance.
And an important, if rather surprising political message. Or is it just pointing out the most fortified part of the castle?
The setting, as you can see, is very picture-askew (or do I mean picturesque)- the gardens and grounds are the real attraction.
As it was a Bank Holiday weekend, there were various events. The arrival of Henry and Anne by boat for example (which we avoided) and their perambulation to the Castle (which we also avoided); archery (which we watched from afar) and hawking (which we missed).
The castle grounds also contain three mazes. This is the yew maze - constructed from a yew hedge, as you can see.
The exit at last!
This is the water maze. A series of pavements across lilly-covered ponds to the mound in the centre. Some of the pavements tip and set off jets of water aimed at the pedestrian; take the wrong route and you can be soaked. Or you would be if it was working. This used to be a favourite of the boys a few years ago. Bit disappointing today.
These are the formal gardens associated with Hever. Award-winning it says here. And all to do with bits and bobs of Roman stuff.
A traditional message, traditionally ignored.
Another set of traditional messages.
And the castle itself is very well kept up.
Actually, it only appears this well-preserved because it was completely refurbished by the then owners, the Astor family, in the early part of the Twentieth Century. The inside of the castle is a very false cod-medieval. Carved wooden walls, a minstrels' gallery, and so forth.
But it still looks pretty good.
The gardens right beside the castle include this fun topiary.
The entrance.
And an important, if rather surprising political message. Or is it just pointing out the most fortified part of the castle?
The setting, as you can see, is very picture-askew (or do I mean picturesque)- the gardens and grounds are the real attraction.
As it was a Bank Holiday weekend, there were various events. The arrival of Henry and Anne by boat for example (which we avoided) and their perambulation to the Castle (which we also avoided); archery (which we watched from afar) and hawking (which we missed).
The castle grounds also contain three mazes. This is the yew maze - constructed from a yew hedge, as you can see.
The exit at last!
This is the water maze. A series of pavements across lilly-covered ponds to the mound in the centre. Some of the pavements tip and set off jets of water aimed at the pedestrian; take the wrong route and you can be soaked. Or you would be if it was working. This used to be a favourite of the boys a few years ago. Bit disappointing today.
These are the formal gardens associated with Hever. Award-winning it says here. And all to do with bits and bobs of Roman stuff.
A traditional message, traditionally ignored.
Another set of traditional messages.
