The spectacular gardens at Hever Castle were laid out between 1904 and 1908 by Joseph Cheal & Son, turning marshland into the spectacular gardens you see today. One of the most magnificent areas of the gardens is the Italian Garden, which was designed to display William Waldorf Astor’s collection of Italian sculpture. Over 1,000 men worked on the great design with around 800 men digging out the 38 acre lake at the far end of the Italian Garden – taking two years to do so! Within four years the 30 acres of classical and natural landscapes were constructed and planted. 125 acres of the garden has now reached its full maturity and includes the colourful walled Rose Garden which contains over 4,000 plants. Between 1904 and 1908, William Astor further enhanced the castle’s romantic setting by creating glorious gardens. These included the unique Italian garden, the maze, 35 acre lake and the rose garden, all of which are now fully mature and spectacular throughout the seasons. The unique Italian garden contains statuary and sculpture dating from Roman to Renaissance times, collected in Italy and brought to Hever, where it forms a magnificent sight among the glorious display of shrubs and climbing and herbaceous plants. A new Tudor herb garden close to the castle was opened in 1994.