3. Hever Castle
Hever Castle lies in the village of Hever, in Kent, England – about 30 miles southeast of London.
It began life as a medieval moated fortress, with the original gatehouse and walled bailey built around 1383. Over the centuries it changed hands several times, most notably becoming the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII, and mother of Elizabeth I.
The Boleyn family modernised the castle in the 15th and 16th centuries, turning it from a defensive stronghold into a Tudor manor.
Later, in the early 20th century, American magnate William Waldorf Astor purchased the estate and embarked on major restoration, added the “Astor Wing”, developed the Italian-style gardens and expanded the grounds.
Today the estate spans over 125 acres of gardens and parkland, and the castle presents richly furnished rooms, medieval architecture, and extensive gardens including canals, statuary and a famous yew hedge maze.