We Thought We Were Going to See a Castle… Turns Out, That Was Only Half the Experience
What I wish we knew before visiting Hever Castle & Gardens with kids
Hosted by Hever Castle & Gardens
I thought we were going to see a castle.
Walk through a few historic rooms. Let the kids see something they’d normally only see in a book. Wander through some beautiful English gardens. Take some pictures. Keep it moving.
Y’all.
That was only HALF the experience.
During our summer travelling through Europe with three generations of our family, we spent a day at Hever Castle & Gardens in Kent, England. I was excited because we homeschool our 3- and 4-year-old, and anytime I can take something we’ve talked about at home and turn it into something they can actually experience? Sign me up.
What I did not realize was just how much there was for little kids to do once we walked outside of the castle.
Playgrounds. Mazes. Water. Gardens. A lake. Acres and acres of space to explore.
And suddenly I was looking around, then looking at the time, and thinking…
Girl. We did not plan enough time for this.
If you’re considering Hever Castle with kids, especially younger kids, let me save you from making the same mistake we did.
And more importantly, let me give you the deets so you can actually plan the day.
First, Come With Us to Hever Castle
Before I tell you everything I wish we’d known, you have to see this place.
We shared our first look at Hever Castle & Gardens on Instagram, including the castle, gardens and some of the family activities that made us immediately wish we’d planned a longer visit.
Now, here’s everything that couldn’t fit into a Reel.
Yes, You Absolutely Want to Go Inside the Castle
Let’s start with why we came in the first place.
Hever Castle has more than 600 years of history. The castle dates back to the 14th century and later became the home of the Boleyn family. Most famously, it was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife and mother of Queen Elizabeth I. Anne of Cleves, another of Henry VIII’s wives, later became an owner of Hever.
But here’s what made this part especially good for our family.
We homeschool.
At home, I can pull out books, show MJ and SJ pictures and talk about people and places from history.
But there is something completely different about watching your children walk into an actual castle.
They could see the rooms. Look at portraits. Notice the furniture. Ask questions about who lived there.
Suddenly a “castle” wasn’t just something in a storybook.
It was real.
Hever also offers audio guides, including a children’s audio guide included with Castle admission.
Now, are my 3- and 4-year-old walking away prepared to teach a lesson on Tudor England?
Absolutely not. 😂
But that’s not how I measure whether an experience was educational.
They were exposed to something new. They asked questions. They made connections.
That’s learning, too.
And Then We Walked Outside…
This is where Hever got me.
I knew there were gardens.
What I hadn’t fully processed was that we’re talking about 125 acres of gardens and grounds.
One hundred and twenty-five.
So this isn’t a situation where you tour the castle, walk through a few flowers and head back to the car.
There are formal gardens, open spaces, a lake, mazes and tons of room to wander.
And THEN…
My kids saw the play areas.
There went the itinerary.
Parents of Little Kids, This Is the Part I Need Y’all to Know
Hever Castle has two different play areas, and these aren’t tiny playgrounds added to give the kids something to do for ten minutes.
There’s Tudor Towers, a wooden adventure playground inspired by a castle, with towers, tunnels, slides, a drawbridge and even its own moat.
Then there’s Acorn Dell, a natural play area created with younger children in mind.
So imagine being three or four years old.
Your parents have just spent part of the day taking you through an actual castle where you’ve had to remember not to touch everything.
Then you walk outside…
…and discover a castle you’re actually allowed to climb all over.
Baby.
They were DONE with us. 😂
And it doesn’t stop there.
There are also two mazes: the traditional Yew Maze and the Water Maze.
Yes.
Water.
And moms, I’m going to save you from the conversation we all have with ourselves:
“They probably won’t get that wet.”
Don’t do it.
Put the extra clothes in the bag.
This Is Where We Messed Up
We didn’t give ourselves enough time.
That’s it.
That’s my biggest regret from our Hever Castle day.
We got to experience the castle and grounds and see some of what there was for families, but we didn’t have nearly enough time to let MJ and SJ fully enjoy everything.
And y’all already know how this goes.
You cannot show a 3-year-old an incredible playground and then casually say:
“Look how fun that is! Okay, time to leave!”
What kind of foolishness is that? 😂
The more we explored, the more I realized I’d planned Hever like a stop when I should have planned it like a destination.
And there’s a big difference between the two.
If I Were Planning Our Hever Castle Day Again, Here’s Exactly What I’d Do
This time, nothing else major is going on the itinerary.
I’d give Hever most, if not all…of our day.
Morning: Start With the Castle
I’d arrive early and do the Castle first while everybody is fresh.
With our kids being 3 and 4, I wouldn’t force an hour-long history lesson. We’d explore, talk about whatever catches their attention, try the children’s audio guide and move along when they’re ready.
The goal isn’t to make them memorize everything.
Exposure is enough.
Late Morning: Explore the Gardens
After being indoors, everybody gets some freedom.
This is when I’d slow down and actually enjoy the grounds instead of constantly checking the time.
Walk.
Let the kids lead sometimes.
Take pictures.
Stop when something catches our attention.
This is also where traveling with three generations becomes really special because everybody can enjoy the same place differently.
Lunch: Actually Stop and Eat
And I mean stop.
Not everybody inhaling snacks while I announce that we’re already 37 minutes behind schedule.
Because I have absolutely been that mom.
Early Afternoon: PLAY
Tudor Towers.
Acorn Dell.
Let them have at it.
I would intentionally give the playgrounds a real chunk of our day rather than treating them as something we’ll do “if there’s time.”
Afternoon: Maze Time
Yew Maze first.
Water Maze after.
Because once we introduce water, I’m assuming the cute outfit portion of our day has officially concluded. 😂
Before Leaving: One Last Wander + Ice Cream
No rushing.
No squeezing in another attraction.
Just enjoy wherever we are, let everyone pick one last thing they want to see or do, grab the ice cream and call it a GOOD day.
That’s how I’d do Hever the second time around.
What I’d Pack for Hever Castle With a 3- and 4-Year-Old
This is also where I would do things a little differently.
A castle-and-gardens day sounds cute and simple until you’re several hours in, somebody’s wet, somebody needs a snack, your phone is at 14%, and you’re carrying three things you swore your children were going to carry themselves.
Mamas know.
So here’s what would actually be in my bag:
A full change of clothes for each kid. Not just a shirt. If you’re doing the Water Maze, bring the whole situation.
A wet bag. Because putting wet little-kid clothes straight into your regular bag is a mistake you only need to make once.
Comfortable walking shoes for everybody. There are 125 acres of grounds. This is not where I’m sacrificing comfort for the outfit.
Packable rain jackets. England weather gets to England-ing, and I’d rather have them and not need them.
Refillable water bottles. Especially when the kids are running around outside.
Our regular travel snacks. Because the answer to “I’m hungry” somehow remains “I’m hungry” even immediately after lunch.
Sunscreen. Yes, even in England.
Portable charger. Between pictures, videos, maps and everything else, I don’t travel without one anymore.
A small backpack or hands-free bag for me. If I’m chasing two preschoolers around a castle playground, I don’t want to be fighting with my purse too.
A compact stroller, depending on your child. You know your kid. A full day of walking can hit very differently at 4 p.m. than it did at 10 a.m.
Shop Our Family Adventure-Day Essentials
These are the types of things we actually keep on hand when we’re exploring with MJ and SJ.
WHAT WE PACK FOR FAMILY ADVENTURE DAYS
Affiliate disclosure: This section may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you.
And please don’t buy seventeen things because somebody on the internet told you they’re “travel essentials.” Use what you already have first.
We’re packing for the memories, not trying to create another shopping list.
Micah Says: Give It the Day
If you skimmed everything else because somebody is currently yelling “Mommy!” from another room, I got you.
BEST FOR: Families, homeschool families and multigenerational trips
OUR KIDS’ AGES WHEN WE VISITED: 3 & 4
HOW MUCH TIME I’D PLAN: Most, if not all, of the day
OUR BIGGEST MISTAKE: Not allowing enough time
DON’T FORGET: Extra clothes if you’re doing the Water Maze
KIDS’ WIN: Playgrounds + space to explore
MOM WIN: History + gardens + an experience that’s educational without feeling like school
WOULD WE GO BACK? Absolutely
WORTH ADDING TO AN ENGLAND FAMILY ITINERARY? Yes, and don’t squeeze it between three other things.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
Before you finalize your plans, check Hever Castle’s current opening times, ticket information and what’s operating on the date you’re visiting. Activities and schedules can change seasonally.
Hever recommends allowing around an hour for the Castle itself, which is another reason I wouldn’t plan this as a quick two-hour outing once you factor in the gardens, playgrounds, mazes, meals and everything else.
Plan your visit:
Hever Castle & Gardens visitor information
Tickets:
Hever Castle & Gardens tickets
I’d check both shortly before your trip rather than relying on an old blog, yes, including mine, for current hours and pricing.
So, Is Hever Castle Worth Visiting With Young Kids?
100% yes.
If you’re planning an England family trip and wondering whether Hever Castle & Gardens belongs on your itinerary, add it.
Just learn from us.
Don’t plan a quick castle stop.
Give yourself the day.
Let the kids run.
Leave some room in the itinerary.
Pack the extra clothes.
And y’all…
Get the ice cream.
Our visit was hosted by Hever Castle & Gardens. As always, the experiences and opinions shared here are our own.
Planning More Family Adventures?
If you’re planning Hever Castle with little kids and there’s something I didn’t answer, leave your question in the comments. If we experienced it, I’ll give you the deets.
Then head over to Family Fun for more of our family adventures, honest reviews, things I’d do differently, what I’d pack and the places actually worth adding to your itinerary.
And if you’d rather watch the chaos unfold in real time, come hang out with us on Instagram at @funwiththejohnsons.
