Hever Castle & Gardens has been named Best Family Day Out at the UK Heritage Awards.
The childhood home of Anne Boleyn was given the accolade at a prestigious ceremony at Grocers’ Hall in London on Monday 25 March. The 5* Hever Castle bed and breakfast was also shortlisted for Best Stays.
Hever Castle beat off competition from Dunvegan Castle, the Alnwick Garden, Bamburgh Castle and Malvern Hills to be named Best Family Day Out.
The event was a celebration of the country’s heritage industry with a judging panel from across the sector.
As well as a regular programme of events throughout the year including jousting and Halloween half term, young visitors to Hever Castle can explore the Tudor Towers adventure playground with its own moat, drawbridge and three turrets. Or the under 7s can enjoy the natural play area, Acorn Dell with its 2 metre high living willow structure, a giant sandpit, a mound with tunnels to clamber in and a climbing frame.
Young visitors can follow the Explorer Trail or listen to the children’s multimedia guide to discover more about the Castle.
Along with the traditional Yew Maze, unique to Hever Castle is the Water Maze where families try and avoid getting wet while attempting to get to the middle.
Faye Kelly, Head of Visitor Services said: “We pride ourselves on our fabulous play areas which fuel children’s imaginations as well as the breadth of our events and activities throughout the year so to have this family focus celebrated nationally by being named Best Family Day Out in the UK is fantastic news.”
The award comes just before the start of English Tourism Week (30 March to 7 April), a week organised by Visit Britain which focuses on raising awareness of the tourism industry.
