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Christmas at Hever Castle - The Adventures of Pinocchio - Castle

Christmas at Hever Castle - Where a Love of Christmas Comes to Life

Hever Castle, Edenbridge, United Kingdom

Christmas at Hever Castle - The Adventures of Pinocchio - Castle

Christmas at Hever Castle - Where a Love of Christmas Comes to Life

Hever Castle, Edenbridge, United Kingdom

Official Charity Partner

Hever Castle is delighted to be working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation UK, to light up the darkness for critically ill children.

What you need to know

This Christmas at Hever Castle experience the Adventures of Pinocchio.


Castle & Gardens Tickets

Tickets Go on Sale

14 Sep - 11am - Annual Members
21 Sep - 11 am - General Public

Event Dates

20 November – 5 December (Wed - Sun)
8 – 23 December (Daily)
24* December (Daytime Tickets Only)
27 December - 30 December (Daily)
31* December (Daytime Tickets Only)
1 – 3 January (Daily)

Please note 2 December (Daytime Tickets Only)

Opening Times

11:30 - 20:30*
Daytime Ticket Arrival Times - 11:30 - 14:45 (last entry 15:00, last exit *18:30)
Twilight Ticket Arrival Times* - 16:00 - 18:45 (last entry* 19:00, last exit* 20:30)
*On 24 & 31 December final entry is at 15:00 and final exit 16:30
Admission is at 15 minute intervals.
Please note that Twilight Tickets for entry after 16:00 are charged at a premium rate.

Pre-booking is essential. Before booking, please read the Important Information below.


CASTLE

In the Castle you will be met with beautifully traditionally decorated rooms, welcoming log fires and twinkling Christmas trees.

Castle session times are limited, must be pre-booked and are pre-set to 30 minutes after your arrival time in the grounds unless otherwise specified. A Castle & Gardens Ticket must be purchased.

Audio Guides will not be available during the Christmas experience.

It takes around 45 minutes to tour the Castle.

PINOCCHIO CHRISTMAS TRAIL (available with Daytime & Twilight tickets)

Begin your experience on the Pinocchio Christmas Trail in ‘Geppetto’s Workshop’ surrounded by his wonderful woodcarving creations. See Pinocchio in Stromboli’s puppet show before Pinocchio is captured in a cage by the Fox and Cat.

Journey through the land of toys and discover it is not quite what it seems. ‘Head under the sea’ to rescue Pinocchio’s father and see the whale and shipwreck. As the trail finishes, the Blue Fairy grants Pinocchio’s wish of becoming a ‘real boy’.

Spot Jiminy Cricket throughout the trail and the grounds.

It takes around 30 minutes to follow the Pinocchio Christmas Trail.

CHRISTMAS LIGHT TRAIL (available from 4pm)

The magical Christmas Light Trail experience starts at 16:00 when you can wrap up warm and enjoy a walk under the stars. Witness the enchantment of the Castle, gardens and lake festooned with fabulous colours and twinkling lights, capturing the spirit of Christmas.

Bring torches and pop on your wellies to see the spectacular, after-dark, illuminated trail and Hever Castle’s much-loved landmarks lit up with glorious colour washes.

This year the light trail will include new areas of the grounds not previously lit before.

It takes around 1.5 hours to follow the Christmas Light Trail.

Before booking, please read the Important Information below.

CHARACTERS (available weekends from the 21 Nov – 19 Dec and daily from the 8 – 24 Dec and 27 Dec - 3 Jan with Daytime & Twilight tickets)

As well as exploring the captivating displays on the trail, meet characters from the Adventures of Pinocchio as you wander through the gardens on weekends and daily 8 - 24 December.

FAIRGROUND (available with Daytime & Twilight tickets)

In front of the Castle, ride the gallopers then head to the big wheel (new for 2021) and have a go at hook a duck. Tokens for rides and stalls are available for purchase during your visit at £2 each, £9 for 5 or £18 for 10.

Big Wheel Restrictions:

• Anyone under 36in/92 cm can’t ride the big wheel

• You must be 48in/121cm tall to ride on the big wheel without an adult

• No single riders, 3 people per chair is the maximum

These restrictions are for your safety and there are no exceptions.

HUSKIES (available weekends only 12:00 – 20:00 from 21 Nov – 19 Dec and 24 Dec 12:00 - 16:00 with Daytime & Twilight tickets)

On Weekends only before and including 24 December, meet the huskies and take your photo as a memento (suggested £2 donation towards Siberian Husky Welfare Association).

EATING, SHOPPING (available with Daytime & Twilight tickets)

Appreciate relaxed Christmas shopping in the Gift Shops, and sample delicious festive food in the restaurants and kiosks.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS (available with Daytime tickets only)

The Play Areas and Yew Maze and Lake Walk will all be open (daytime only). The Miniature Model Houses, Garden Exhibition and Military Museum will also be available (daytime only).

Pre-booking is essential. Before booking, please read the information below, including the Important Information below.

Make a Wish Foundation

Hever Castle is delighted to be working with the Make a Wish Foundation. Visitors will be able to donate to the charity before and during the Christmas event.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Tickets

  • All tickets must be pre-booked online.
  • Choose between these experiences - Castle & Gardens (Gardens Only & Father Christmas & Gardens tickets are available here)
  • All tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable unless the experience is cancelled or covered by refund protection purchased (see Christmas FAQs).
  • All members of your party require admission tickets.
  • Castle session times must be pre-booked and are pre-set to 30 minutes after your arrival time in the grounds, unless specified.
  • Tickets for children cannot be purchased alone. At least one adult must be included in your party.
  • Tickets will remain in your basket for 20 mins for you to complete your purchase. After this time they will automatically go back on sale.
  • Please note your booking reference when it appears on the screen. If you do not receive an email confirmation please read our Christmas FAQs for further instructions.
  • Always check details before travelling. Hever Castle reserves the right to close all or part of the Castle, grounds, catering outlets and activities, and to change or cancel events.
  • Tesco Clubcard VouchersRHSHistoric Houses and Gardeners’ World offers are not valid during the Christmas event.
  • Annual Members: Daytime Christmas Garden Only admission is free to all Annual Members. For Castle & Gardens Members the Castle is also free. Garden Only Members wishing to visit the Castle will need to pay an upgrade fee (£4 Adults/£2 Children). Twilight Tickets are chargeable but are discounted for Annual Members. Grotto tickets are chargeable. All tickets MUST be pre-booked and you will be asked to include your membership number and the email address relating to your membership to complete your purchase. You will also need to produce a valid membership card on entry. Failure to provide a valid membership card will mean that you will be charged the full rate prior to your visit or on entry. For 2021 only as a thank you for your support, Annual Members can book for non members and those under 5 years before the 21 September. Annual Members will only be able to make one booking per booking link (link = 1. Father Christmas & Gardens/Gardens Only or 2. Castle & Gardens) per membership during the Annual Member booking window, this will increase after tickets go on general release. If you wish to purchase more than one date/time per booking link then these should be added to your basket before checking out (max 12 tickets per booking). You can only check out once for Father Christmas & Gardens/Gardens Only and once for Castle & Gardens.
  • Carers: Standard charges apply to visitors with accessible needs, general admission for carers is free of charge. For carers in your party, please select the Carer ticket when making your booking. Proof of disability will be requested on arrival, which may include a Blue Badge, statement of special educational needs from LEA or NHS, a letter from a medical professional on NHS headed paper, a DLA or PIP letter from the Department of Work & Pensions, Attendance Allowance or Incapacity Benefit. Failure to provide proof will mean that you will be charged the full rate on entry.
  • B&B Guests staying during the Christmas event: There is no need to book admission tickets, you will be given these on arrival. After making your room reservation you will be sent an email containing details for how to pre-book to visit Father Christmas should you wish to do so.

Cancellations, Exchanges, Transfers and Refunds

Tickets cannot be resold, exchanged, transferred to another date or refunded once tickets have been purchased unless the event is cancelled or covered by refund protection purchased.

Any refunds due to event cancellation will be less any booking fees, donations or refund protection charges incurred.

Please be sure that you choose the correct date and time slot time when making your booking. Tickets are non-transferable. This is highlighted throughout the booking process.

Refund Protection

It is recommended that Refund Protection is considered when purchasing tickets for Christmas at Hever Castle. This option is available at the time of booking, you cannot add it to your order after you have paid. Please read the terms and conditions of this policy carefully before booking.

If you have purchased Refund Protection during the booking process then you may cancel your booking subject to the terms and conditions that are on your policy confirmation.

Adverse Weather Plan and Cancellation Policy

Cancellations will not be offered in the event of poor weather. If Hever Castle determines that the weather on site presents a hazard and a risk to safety and a decision is made to cancel the event, you will be notified by email of a cancellation and you will be informed of the re-booking process if this is feasible. If an alternative date cannot be offered or attended then a refund will be considered on a case by case basis. Any refunds will be less any booking fees, donations or refund protection charges incurred.

Covid–19 Cancellation Policy

If you cannot attend due contracting Covid or having to self isolate as a result of Covid, you can request to transfer your booking to an alternative date or cancel your booking and apply for a refund. To do this please email cancellations@hevercastle.co.uk and include your booking reference in the email title together with proof of your diagnosis or requirement to isolate.

Should the event be cancelled due to government guidance, you will be notified and offered an alternative experience, date or full refund. If the decision is made to cancel the event, you will be notified by email of a cancellation and you will be informed of the re-booking process if this is feasible. If an alternative date cannot be offered or attended then a refund will be considered on a case by case basis. Any refunds will be less any booking fees, donations or refund protection charges incurred.

General Christmas Experience

  • To enjoy the full experience of Christmas at Hever Castle we recommend you allow enough time for each all the elements of the experience that you wish to include. Attractions, shops and eateries will start closing before the final exit time.
    • Castle 45 minutes
    • Pinocchio Christmas Trail 30 minutes
    • Gallopers & Big Wheel 30 - 45 minutes each (queues possible)
    • Hook a Duck 30 - 45 minutes (queues possible)
    • Eating 30 - 45 minutes (queues possible)
    • Shopping 30 - 1 hour (queues possible)
    • Christmas Light Trail – 1.5. hours to walk the whole grounds that will be lit (from 4pm)
  • As much of this experience is outdoors we recommend you wrap up warm and pop on your wellies or suitable shoes.

Safety Measures

As per current measures – see here.

Face coverings must be worn in indoor spaces including the Grotto (exemptions apply).

Access Statement

Christmas access statement

Group Bookings

If you are planning a group visit to Hever Castle at Christmas, take a look at the group lunch offers that are available to you.

Location

Hever Castle
Hever Road, Hever, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 7NG United Kingdom

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