Hever Castle + Dogs = FUN

  

Hever Castle, surrounded by its moat
... And hurrah! That's the first sign of Autumn approaching in that ivy

Some months ago I was in the general vicinity of Hever Castle in Kent, but didn't have time to visit. So when my friend Lesley told me about Paws At The Castle last week, I decided we'd head over there. Seems a bit ridiculous for somebody on the other side of the world to alert me about an event only an hour's drive from Epsom, but there you go.

Wow, and wow again. 


What a gorgeous place.  We arrived at the Lake View Entrance and you would have to be very jaded indeed not to be impressed by The Loggia - a grand, arcing colonnade of golden-hued stone perched above the lake, columns topped by Roman Ionic capitals, and a water feature that was inspired by the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

The Loggia

The Italian Garden is enormous, running all the way from The Loggia to the the lawns near the castle itself. 

Down one side it has a seemingly endless arbour, bordered by ferneries and water features - the temperature was noticeably several degrees cooler there, very welcome on a hot day. 

Down the other side is a series of formal gardens - a tableau of incredible colours.

Dividing the two corridors are great expanses of lawn, manicured and perfect, with gigantic urns and towering hedges.

Our visit was timed perfectly to make the most of summer at its peak, with everything in full flower and trees, shrubs and climbers at their most lush.

At the end of the Italian Garden there's a less formal, park-like area with beautiful mature trees, a maze and a bit of whimsy in the form of topiary. 

The Chess Set topiary

And then there were the dog activities, which were a delight. Numerous rescue charities had stalls where you could get to know some of their beneficiaries, as well as purchasing doggie paraphernalia. 

We enjoyed meeting a large group of huskies - they really have to be one of the most sociable breeds around. They crave companionship and even 'talk' to people in that funny howling way. We could hear their chattering all over the grounds.

Alice, who was lucky enough to be adopted after she was
no longer of any use to her owners
*** BAN GREYHOUND RACING! ***

This smiling husky was having fun with all his friends

But we were particularly keen to see the Newfoundlands as Lesley has owned several over the years and they really are gentle giants with a long list of interesting characteristics. And of course author 
JM Barrie chose to memorialise the breed in Peter Pan, in the character of 'Nana', the children's guardian and protector.

Historically Newfies were working dogs for the fishermen of Newfoundland, Canada. They are proficient swimmers, using all four legs unlike other breeds which dog-paddle only using two, and they have webbed feet to aid their speed and a double-coat for buoyancy and keeping warm - a sort of canine wetsuit, if you like. 

There are many stories about Newfies having rescued people from the sea and they do clearly find this behaviour natural and enjoyable - they couldn't wait to get in the water and do their thing!

We were treated to displays of their placid but clever natures - hauling little wagons, tossing pretend fish from water-filled basins into other containers, and carrying out the rescue of their handlers in the lake. 

Newfoundland dogs preparing to display their skills

As much as I admire these lovely, gentle creatures, I'm not sure I could cope with the slobber factor! You don't want to be in the way when a Newfie shakes its head on a hot day.

Newfs In Action.
The one sitting in the tub of water was supposed to get out again,
but it was hot and as a 9-month-old youngster, he wasn't having it!

Newfies awaiting their turn in the water

Preparing for a Newfie rescue exercise

Humans rounded up and towed safely to shore

Of course, the castle itself is the key attraction. It is not disappointing.

Rising out of its moat, Hever is the classic ideal of a castle, right down to the drawbridge and portcullis. It's of fairly modest proportions but very interesting, not least because of its various owners. 

Hever Castle's most notable claim to fame is that it was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII. Such was the fickleness of Henry VIII that it was later given to wifey number four, Anne of Cleves, whom he divorced after only six months (she supposedly physically repelled the sovereign so greatly that the marriage was never consummated).

Crossing the drawbridge to pass under the portcullis

In the early 20th century Hever was given a fairly significant dose of glamour when it was purchased by William Waldorf Astor, who had the vast sums of money required to modernise and restore the castle itself as well as constructing the adjacent Tudor village known as The Astor Wing. He also constructed the lake and gardens. The mind boggles at the expense.

The drawing room of Hever Castle, designed by William Waldorf Astor in 1905.
In Tudor times these were the domestic offices 
Photo by Kevin Joy

Photo by Kevin Joy

The Dining Room which can be hired for events
Photo by Kevin Joy

The Library
Photo by Kevin Joy

The moat, looking towards The Astor Wing

Hever is a photographer's dream. History, natural beauty and constructed elegance... it's all here. I strongly recommend a visit if you are ever in south eastern England, but don't worry if you can't get there soon - it's been standing for more than 700 years. I daresay it will wait a bit longer.

This lovely footbridge put me in mind of Monet's garden at Giverny

The Italian Garden

The Loggia

The main entry to the castle grounds

Strolling around castles is thirsty work, and so on the journey home we stopped off at the picturesque village of Oxted for a tipple - Kevin as usual sampling the real ale, and yours truly partaking of Prosecco.

The Old Bell, Oxted

'Every day is a gin day'

I could probably think of a better way to spend a Saturday, but it would take me a while.

Until next time,

- Maree xo