The oldest part of Hever was built in 1270, and it consisted of the gatehouse and an outer fortified wall. In the early 1500s, Geoffrey Bullen bought the castle and added Tudor apartments within the walls. He later became Lord Mayor of London and was even knighted. Sir Geoffrey’s grandson, Thomas, married the daughter of the Duke of Norfolk, Elizabeth Howard. Thomas and Elizabeth had 3 children that survived past their childhood years: George, Anne and Mary.

Anne Boleyn spend some time at the French court before returning to England, whereupon she lived at Hever until she became a Lady-in-Waiting to Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII. After Anne’s accused love affair with Henry Percy, she was sent to Hever away from the court. By this time, King Henry had already had an affair with Anne sister, Mary. However, Henry had already noticed Anne and even visited her at Hever.

Until the death of Sir Thomas, the castle belonged to the Crown. It was not until 1540 when Henry divorced Anne of Cleves, that he gave Hever to his 4th wife. She owned the castle until her death in 1557.

Since then, the castle has been owned by many different families. But it was not until 1903 when William Waldorf Astor restored the castle, building a Tudor village and created the gardens and lake.