Karim

Karim

Goody morning dear Friends

I hope that you are very well and enjoyed a great summer.

We visited the enchanting Hever Castle on 24/06

I will articulate my presentation in 3 chapters starting with a presentation of the castle, then a visit of the amazing Italian gardens and finally the extraordinary interiors of the castle.

Hever Castle is located in the village of Hever, Kent, near Edenbridge, 30 miles south-east of London, England.

Dating back to the 14th century, Hever Castle was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and Mother of Elizabeth I. It formed the unlikely backdrop to a sequence of tumultuous events that changed the course of Britain’s history, monarchy and religion.

Its panelled rooms house fine furniture, tapestries, antiques and what is regarded by some as ‘one of the best collections of Tudor portraits after the National Portrait Gallery’.

The magnificent award-winning gardens set in 125 acres of glorious grounds at Hever Castle. Marvel at the Pompeiian Wall and classical statuary in the Italian Garden; admire the giant topiary chess set and inhale the fragrance of over 5,000 rose bushes in the quintessential English Rose Garden.

The Loggia, overlooking the 38-acre lake, is the perfect spot to relax before exploring the many cascades, grottoes and fountains.

Wishing you all a lovely day !

Karim

Karim

Karim

Karim

Karim

Karim

Karim

Karim

Karim

Karim

Karim

Good afternoon dear Friends

I invite you to discover today the magnificent Italian Gardens of the enchanting Hever Castle.

The beautiful gardens at Hever Castle were laid out between 1904 and 1908 by Joseph Cheal and Son, turning marshland into the spectacular gardens we see today, which are a pleasure to visit at any time of the year.

One of the most magnificent areas of the gardens is the Italian Garden, which was designed to display William Waldorf Astor’s collection of Italian sculptures.

Covering four acres, the long sweeping lawns and tall clipped yew hedges form the central area of this magnificent garden, bordered by two twelve foot high walls made from local stone.

On the north side is the Pompeiian Wall which contains small bays showcasing antiquities in stone and marble enveloped with shrubs and climbing plants.

Along the south side runs the Pergola Walk with its shaded grottoes planted with ferns and moisture loving plants.

Hidden in its centre behind a tall hedge lies the Sunken Garden, an oasis of peace and quiet.

The impressive Loggia at the lake end of the garden is flanked by pillared colonnades and descends by balustrade steps to the piazza below with its classical sculpture inspired by the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

Over 1,000 men worked on the grand design, with around 800 men taking two years to dig out the 38-acre (14.2 ha) lake at the far end of the Italian Garden.

Within four years the 125 acres (50 ha) of classical and natural landscapes were constructed and planted.

Wishing you all a lovely day !

Karim
Karim

Karim