Celebrate May Day at historic Hever Castle and Gardens over the bank holiday.

The festival includes a host of customs and activities for all the family to enjoy.

May Day has been a traditional afternoon of festivities throughout the centuries, originally signalling the first day of summer.

Join the Lord and Lady of the May on the Castle forecourt and see the crowning of the May Queen.

Visitors are invited to dance around the Maypole with brightly coloured ribbons intertwined. This age old custom is followed by demonstrations of May Day Dancing accompanied by 16 century music.

Meet the mythical Jack-in-the-Green and follow the Green Man from folklore in a customary May Day procession through the gardens as he wakes up the plants for summer with the help of children and their magical May bells.

Children can also follow a Green Man trail through the Castle to find out more about his origins.

Boats are for hire from the Edwardian boathouse and the African Queen steam boat makes a welcome return. To round off the day, head for the award-winning restaurants where delicious lunches and afternoon teas will be served.

The festival runs from May 2 - May 4.

Gardens open at 10.30am; Castle opens at 12 noon. Last admission 4.30pm; final exit 6pm.

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