Day 276 - Hever Castle

This is my Castle.

Hever Castle is by far my favourite Castle in the world, situated in the heart of the countryside in Kent (half an hour from Grannie's home). Every time I have visited Grannies, I have insisted that we go there as it is just the most gorgeous place. I have always been intrigued and moved by the story of King Henry VIII, in-particular his love affair with Anne Boleyn, who became Queen of England for just 1,000 days.

Their love was extremely powerful. Anne writing in a love letter - "Your wife I cannot be...because you have a Queen already. Your mistress I will not be..." so with Anne's insistence that she become his wife rather than his mistress (and rightly so!!), it forced the big ginge into taking some serious action which led him to renouncing Catholicism and creating the Church of England. The lengths some go for love hey?? How romantic. ;)

Anne Boleyn's Orchard.

Tudor Gardens.

King Henry wasn't actually wasn't meant to be the King, but his Brother Arthur passed away suddenly so he became King by default - grossest thing was he then went onto marry his Brother's widow!! LOL I have always thought it if wasn't for Henry's huge personal issue and insecurity with desperately wanting a male heir to the throne to ensure his legacy, then he and Anne Boleyn could have had the fairytale ending. But sadly their, well Anne's ending, was anything but pleasant. :( I wonder what ever happened to her famous "B" pendant with the three pearls underneath?? ;) xx

The Nymph's Fountain.

The start of The Yew Maze - one of only a few traditionally designed mazes in the country.

Yay!! The centre of the Maze.

"Lavender Loos" made me laff...I couldn't stop saying it all day!!