Stunning blooms are at the height of their summer beauty within one of the Garden of England’s historic castles.

Hever in Bloom from Monday, June 23, to Sunday, June 29, shows off one of the finest displays of English summer flowers and roses in the county, featured in BBC2’s Gardeners’ World last year.

Also not to be missed are nostalgic displays of poppies along the Pompeiian Wall in the Italian gardens and around the grounds to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.

Join the gardeners for free daily tours of Hever Castle grounds, near Edenbridge, to find out more about the award-winning garden’s fascinating history. The team will answer any queries green-fingered visitors have and the castle florist will give daily demonstrations showing how she creates imaginative floral arrangements using blooms picked from the gardens.

Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Its gardens were laid out between 1904 and 1908 by Joseph Cheal and Son for the then-owner – American businessman, politician and newspaper publisher William Waldorf Astor – to display his unique collection of Greek and Roman statues.

At this time of year, it’s easy to imagine you’re in the Mediterranean as you wander through the Italian gardens before returning to the charm of the quintessentially English rose garden.

DETAILS

Hever Castle gardens open daily at 10.30am and close at 6pm. The castle opens at noon. Entry costs £15.50 for adults, £8.70 for children and £39.70 for a family ticket. Call 01732 865224 or visit www.hevercastle.co.uk