Hever Castle Away Day: St Peter's Church + 'Capturing a Queen' exhibition

Join us for a LoMAZ Away Day to Hever, Kent to visit St Peter's Church, followed by Hever Castle and grounds, including the 'Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn' exhibition.

⛪️ St Peter's Church:
At the entrance to Hever Castle is the parish church of St Peter's where the Boleyn family worshipped, and where Anne Boleyn's father Thomas Boleyn and her baby brother Henry Boleyn are buried. Before we explore the castle Jonny will take the group on a guided tour around the church to explain more about the building and the burials within.

🏰 Hever Castle & grounds:
Dating back to the 1300s, Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII and Mother of Elizabeth I. It formed the backdrop to tumultuous events that changed the course of Britain’s history, monarchy and religion.

Its panelled rooms house fine furniture, tapestries, antiques and ‘one of the best collections of Tudor portraits after the National Portrait Gallery’; Also, two prayer books which belonged to Anne Boleyn and bear her inscriptions and signature.

William Waldorf Astor restored the Castle in the early 20th century. The Astor Suite showcases pictures and memorabilia relating to the Astor family and the Edwardian period. The permanent exhibition in the Long Gallery depicts the saga from the Wars of the Roses to the Reformation through its art collection.

Read more: https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/visit/hever-castle/

🖼️ The 'Capturing a Queen' exhibition @ Hever Castle brings together the largest ever gathering of portraits believed to depict Anne Boleyn, including a ground-breaking newly identified contemporary image unveiled for the first time.

Developed from new research, the exhibition traces how Anne’s image has changed over 500 years and reveals new scientific findings about Hever’s famous ‘Hever Rose’ portrait. You can examine the evidence and vote for the likeness you believe best represents Henry VIII’s most enigmatic queen.

Read more: https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/whats-on/capturing-a-queen/

🪖 Plus, it's Hever Castle's Home Front 1940s Weekend:
This event celebrates the spirit of resilience and unity that defined wartime Britain. It will include singers/bands, vintage stalls/hair salons, military vehicles & classic cars and dance classes. Dressing up is optional!

Read more: https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/whats-on/hevers-home-front-1940s-event/

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THE PLAN
12.20PM: MEET OUTSIDE ST PETER'S CHURCH
Address: Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NH

12.30PM-1.30PM: ST PETER'S CHURCH GUIDED TOUR WITH JONNY

1.30PM-4.30PM: HEVER CASTLE, INCLUDING EXHIBITION AND GROUNDS
Address: Hever Rd, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG

We'll grab lunch from one of the stalls, or bring a packed lunch if you prefer.

LATER:
We'll head to a nearby pub if there is interest.

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TICKETS:
You will need to purchase your own ticket for this event.
Tickets booked in advance online are £25.50, and include entrance to the castle, grounds and exhibition.
Please book here: https://events.liveit.io/hever-castle-and-gardens/hever-castle-2026/

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GETTING THERE:
https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/visit/opening-times-directions/
St Peter's Church is at the entrance to Hever Castle.

TRAIN:

• Direct train from London Bridge (also stopping at East Croydon) to Hever Station.
• It's then a one-mile rural walk to the church and castle. (Map of walk from station to castle). As you leave the platform you will see a map on your left to guide you to Hever Castle, or you can look out for red and white wooden posts.

CAR: On-site parking is free.

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EVENT WHATSAPP GROUP:
Please join the event WhatsApp group to help you find the group on the day. The link will be posted in the Event Comments 48 hours before the event, for those on the confirmed going list.
NB Joining this WhatsApp group will make your phone number visible to other members in the group.

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PLEASE READ:
LoMAZ events are run by volunteers. This event has an attendee limit as we prefer a smaller, friendlier group. If you RSVP but can no longer attend, please change your RSVP as soon as possible, otherwise you will be marked as a 'no show'.

We remove members from the group who:

• repeatedly sign up for events then 'no show'.
• repeatedly change their RSVP to 'No'.
• are on the event waitlist or have not RSVPd but turn up anyway.

Please see the About Us section for more information about the group and how it works.

Thank you for your interest in the group & being part of LoMAZ.
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Image credit: HARTLEPOOLMARINA2014, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons