Jean Newman Glock and one of her favorite destinations, Hever Castle have been featured in Luxury Travel Advisor Magazine.  For the full article on Historic Castles click here, or read the excerpt below.

pg8_3_0HEVER CASTLE was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. The oldest part of the castle is from 1270.

Across the Irish Sea in Kent, just 30 miles south of London, travelers can time travel back to the era of King Henry VIII for a stay at Hever Castle. Once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, this castle is steeped in English history (with a touch of scandal, for those who love the tawdry affairs of Henry VIII).

The oldest part of the castle dates back to 1270. The Boleyn family purchased the castle in the 1500s and added a Tudor home within the walls. After Anne Boleyn’s untimely and tragic demise, the home passed to Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII’s fourth wife.

“The gardens and grounds are evocative of those Anne would have walked around during her early years, including a maze,” says Jean Newman Glock, founder of JNG Worldwide. “An equally interesting part of Hever’s history is an American connection. American William Waldorf Astor purchased the castle in 1903 as his home. He added the ‘Astor Wing’, built at great expense with precise attention to architectural details and building materials of the Tudor period. This wing now serves as a luxury B&B. After hours guests may wander the grounds or arrange a special private dinner in Tudor dining room, which I was privileged to do with the eminent Tudor historians and authors David Starkey and Alison Weir. This history nerd’s dream, come true.”

There are 18 luxury bedrooms available, each with its individual style. Six have been noted as “superior rooms,” either because it offers a four-poster bed, a notable view or is slightly larger. These rooms are known as Feature rooms. The Astor Wing is only accessible to private guests, which lends itself to a true throwback in time. Of course, the hotel is outfitted with all the modern necessities for luxury travel (think Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs).

Golf enthusiasts will love the 27-hole championship course on site.

Good to know: Because the space operates as a bed & breakfast, there is no designated restaurant for evening meals. However upon booking, the staff sends a list of locally recommended places to eat.

The best way to reach Hever Castle is to fly guests into London’s Gatwick Airport.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *