Last weekend we spent an absolutely wonderful day at Hever Castle and Gardens in Kent. We were invited to take part in the Hever's Home Front event, and enjoyed a day of dancing in the sunshine in the most beautiful surroundings.
Hever Castle dates back to 1270, and was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, who is most famous for being the Queen of England from 1533 to 1536...until she was beheaded under the order of her husband, King Henry VIII. Imagine growing up in such a magnificent home!
This was my first visit, and I was blown away by how beautiful the Castle and grounds are, from the moment that we stepped through the gate....
But back to the event. It was 1940s themed - hence the 'Home Front' - and there were various picnics, activities and re-enactments taking place throughout the day...
But really, we were mostly there for the dancing...
Everyone was in great spirits, and there was a lot of tomfoolery and laughter in the air...
After working up quite a sweat in the Midsummer sunshine, we took a little stroll through the rose gardens and over to the lake.
The lake is huge, and you can hire row boats, or take a trip on the African Queen, which is a steamboat based upon the one used in the 1951 movie The African Queen starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn.
I was also delighted to find out that there is both a water maze and a yew maze on the grounds. I have wanted to get lost in a maze ever since I was a child, so this was a very exciting prospect! We did not end up going in the water maze, but we worked our way through the regular one...
It wasn't as 'Alice in Wonderland' a-maze-ing (boom boom!) as I was hoping, but it was fun, nonetheless. We made it to the middle and then heard the sounds of señoras shaking in the distance, so we hot footed it back to the dance tent to jump in the line...
We had an absolute ball at Hever's Home Front, and it was a real privilege to spend the day in such breath-takingly beautiful surroundings.
I would highly recommend a day trip to explore the Castle and Gardens to anyone interested, as there is so much to see and do, and it really does make for a lovely day out. The dates have already been announced for next year's Hever's Home Front - the 13th and 14th June 2015 - when there will be more fun and dancing!
A glimpse of the double-moated, 13th Century, Hever Castle...
Hever Castle dates back to 1270, and was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, who is most famous for being the Queen of England from 1533 to 1536...until she was beheaded under the order of her husband, King Henry VIII. Imagine growing up in such a magnificent home!
This was my first visit, and I was blown away by how beautiful the Castle and grounds are, from the moment that we stepped through the gate....
But back to the event. It was 1940s themed - hence the 'Home Front' - and there were various picnics, activities and re-enactments taking place throughout the day...
But really, we were mostly there for the dancing...
The atmosphere was lovely and relaxed, and the day provided the perfect mix of dancing, chatting with friends, soaking up the sunshine and exploring. I just could not stop marvelling at what a perfect day it was, and how lucky we were to be part of such a fun event, in the most stunning location. It definitely made me realise that I need to venture out of my beloved London more often, as there is so much beauty to be found all over England.
Everyone was in great spirits, and there was a lot of tomfoolery and laughter in the air...
After working up quite a sweat in the Midsummer sunshine, we took a little stroll through the rose gardens and over to the lake.
The lake is huge, and you can hire row boats, or take a trip on the African Queen, which is a steamboat based upon the one used in the 1951 movie The African Queen starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn.
I was also delighted to find out that there is both a water maze and a yew maze on the grounds. I have wanted to get lost in a maze ever since I was a child, so this was a very exciting prospect! We did not end up going in the water maze, but we worked our way through the regular one...
It wasn't as 'Alice in Wonderland' a-maze-ing (boom boom!) as I was hoping, but it was fun, nonetheless. We made it to the middle and then heard the sounds of señoras shaking in the distance, so we hot footed it back to the dance tent to jump in the line...
Shake, shake, shake senora!
We had an absolute ball at Hever's Home Front, and it was a real privilege to spend the day in such breath-takingly beautiful surroundings.
I would highly recommend a day trip to explore the Castle and Gardens to anyone interested, as there is so much to see and do, and it really does make for a lovely day out. The dates have already been announced for next year's Hever's Home Front - the 13th and 14th June 2015 - when there will be more fun and dancing!
great pictures again! it looks like you still have summer over there ... it got cold and rainy here ... your beautiful outfit makes me want to wear my blue and white spotted little skirt/short, too. ... hopefully summer returns.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, the weather has been great here, although it is supposed to rain tomorrow! I am sure that the sunshine will return for you!!!! :)
DeleteLooks like everyone had a great time. I have always loved the England has such beautiful gardens. One of my dreams, is to have a giant solarium attached to our house. I think I read one too many romance novels growing up.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing wrong with romance and dreams! :) That sounds wonderful - I hope your dream comes true!!!! xx
DeleteYour posts are such a fabulous blast! I love the volume of photos you share with us - it almost feels like we get treated to a small film of your exciting adventures, in this case involving a gorgeous castle and a fun day of cutting a rug in the open air. So fun!!!
ReplyDeleteHappiest start of summer wishes!
♥ Jessica
Thanks Jessica! I am always a little worried that I post too many photos, and that it gets a bit boring for readers...but it's so hard to edit them down, as I really do feel that the photos help to illustrate what I am talking about.
DeleteHappy start of summer to you, too! Not long 'til the big 3-0 now!!!! :D
Wowee, that looks like fun! I love all the topiaries and definitely want a ride on The African Queen. I wonder what it's like to live among REAL history!
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty wonderful to be surrounded by so much history...but then we don't have anything as wacky tacky as a wigwam motel!!! :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful day and that event looks like a blast! Love those sunnies on you ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I had so much fun, I am looking forward to returning next year! :)
DeleteThis is by far the BEST 40s event I have ever seen, I love the location-the beauty of it all-how relaxed it was-and the amount of people was just perfect. Not too crowded and I just love that. Wow! It's one my must-do list now when I visit! Thank you for sharing-what a utter blast that looked like!!! xox
ReplyDeleteThanks, Daffny! This was the first 1940s event at Hever Castle, so I expect that next year it will be even bigger! It was the perfect amount of people, especially as the dance floor wasn't very big! ;) That said, although it was a select group of dancers, there were many, many people there that day, however the grounds are so huge, that there was never any congestion in any one area. I really hope that you get to go one day, as I am sure that you would love it! :D xxx
DeleteLooks like great fun, the photos of the dancing are lovely. I haven't been to Hever since I was little, I went in the maze then and found it a bit scary!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate-Em! It was a really great day, I can't even begin to describe how perfect it was! :) If only I had got to go in a maze as a child, I might have found it a bit more interesting! The water one should be fun next time, as I read that you randomly get squirted with water, depending on which paving stones you step on!!! :)
DeleteThat sounds very entertaining! As long as you go on a hot day!
DeleteFantastic pictures!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMakes me want to go back to England... green landscapes and romantic castles!
You are both gorgeous!!!!
Thanks Laurence! You are a sweetie! <3 <3 <3
DeleteYou look fab as ever and everyone looks like they are having so much fun dancing, it's inspired me to sign up for a course and have another go.
ReplyDelete