Hever Castle and Gardens

[kathyh]

I have finally got my act together and uploaded my photos from Hever Castle so here is the promised picspam

Comments

[rotrude]

This is so astoundingly beautiful. Especially the moatish bit. There's something poetic about it.

Since I meant to visit Hever, do you know how feasible it is to go car-less, i.e, trains from London? I know there's a train but is the station miles and miles away from the actual castle? I'm used to walking, so a few miles is okay, but if it's a lot, I'd be evaluating if I want to wake up at the crack of dawn...

But I want to go... I've always wanted to this this and Dover Castle. Who am I kidding. I love all castles everywhere.

(I even went on a tiny adventure from Toulouse to Carcassonne just to see the keep. I know Viollet le Duc had a (modern) hand in making it look like it does, so it's not the authentic experience, but see, I love castles.

Also pig shaped topiary, lol!

[kathyh]

It is lovely isn't it

[rotrude]

Oh, lovely, a mile is easy to deal with. If it's not too much of a bother, could you point me to the site that's got a detailed map?

Roman lighthouse... want.

I went up the hill Carcassonne castle is built on at midday, cue me looking red-face burst pepper style on all pics I have!

[kathyh]

This site

http://visitbytrain.info/kent/hever.htm

looks like the map that we used but I think my husband must have enlarged it when he printed it. The train from London does arrive on the correct side for the castle. There are a couple of comments about walking from the station to the castle here.

Fortunately getting up before the crack of dawn to get to Carcassone meant we arrived quite early. The early start was quite painful but it did mean no midday climbing! I'd love to go back.

[petzipellepingo]

Lovely gardens!

[kathyh]

They really are. I think they were looking pretty much at their best.

[brunettepet]

What a wonderful place! The topiaries are delightful, especially that pig and the flowers are gorgeous. I'm glad you had such a gorgeous day to celebrate your birthday. thanks for sharing the pictures.

[kathyh]

My pleasure. I have a vague memory of seeing the topiary chessmen before, but I think the pig was quite a recent addition :)

[gealach_ros]

Gorgeous pictures, they look like they're right out of a travel guide! :D

Hope you're doing well! ♥

[kathyh]

I'm fine, thanks, though it's getting a bit hot here though I shouldn't complain :)

Hever is very photogenic!

[curiouswombat]

What a lovely spot - thank you for sharing it - I especially like the inner courtyard and the walled rose garden.

[kathyh]

I love walled gardens and the roses were at their best. It's a pity I couldn't take photos inside the house but I thought I ought to obey the rules, though not everybody was!