The 3 castles within 5 miles of each other 80 minutes outside London each hosting magical Christmas event

Three Kent castles with a five mile radius are each hosting magical Christmas fayres this December, and they're all just half an hour outside London. Hever Castle, Chiddingstone Castle and Penshurst Place occupy unique standing points in the Kent Weald, surrounded by gorgeous rolling countryside and thick forest woodland that makes the Weald one of the UK's most outstanding areas of natural beauty.

The castles each have their own unique histories and were the centre of intrigue during Tudor England. Today, they're popular destinations for tourists from all over the world, as well as regular haunts for filming and TV locations.

For die-hard castle lovers, it's possible to visit all three castles in an afternoon. Here, we divulge just what's on offer this Christmas.

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Hever Castle

Hever Castle is famous as the home of Henry VIII's second wife Anne Boleyn in the 1520s, where the king wooed her while seeking a divorce from Catherine of Aragon. The rooms where the Boleyn family lived are still well-preserved on the first floor, and Anne's father Thomas Boleyn is buried in a tomb in the church just outside the gatehouse - again open to the public.

Popular all year round, Hever Castle really pushes the boat out at Christmas with a litany of things to do. Christmas at Hever runs until January 3 and features a Christmas Lights spectacular running daily at 4pm, in which the expansive gardens of the Castle are illuminated just as the sun goes down, with Christmas characters ready at every corner for meet and greets, while the beautiful medieval castle is transformed into Christmas banqueting hall.

The event also has various fairground rides such as the gallopers, a Ferris wheel and a children’s train ride. Admission prices are £23 for adults and £15 for children aged five to 17, while children under four go free. Admission with a meet and greet with Father Christmas is £30.50 for children aged five to 17, and £15.50 for those under four. See HERE for tickets.

Chiddingstone Castle

Nearby Chiddingstone Castle is a sight to behold, with its magnificent turrets, battlements and arched gateway. Although originally built in the 16th century for the Streatfield family, much of the current building is Victorian, created in the Gothic style. Now it is a popular stately home for conference events, wedding receptions and afternoon tea, with regular art exhibitions.

Chiddingstone Castle will kickstart festivities with a Christmas artisan fair on Saturday, November 23, from 10am to 4pm, featuring a wonderful array of artisans, vintage and creative small businesses will be offering a selection of Christmas gifts, decorations and food and drink from over 50 hand-curated stalls, with mulled wine, a café and food vendors at the ready. Advance tickets are £8.09 for adults and £4.31 for children.

On December 1, 7, 8, 15, 22 and 23, the castle will host Father Christmas Afternoon Tea. Step into the magical White Rose Room for a special story-time with Santa. Once the excitement settles, it’s time to move into The Great Hall for a scrumptious breakfast or afternoon tea. During your dining experience Father Christmas will greet each table individually to say hello to all the children. The experience lasts around two and half hours, with tickets at £40 for children (above six months), £35 for adults, and £10 for babies under six months.

Penshurst Place

Penshurst Place is another Tudor gem, the ancestral home of the Sidney family, and the birthplace of the great Elizabethan poet Philip Sidney, whose works include The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia and Astrophel and Stella. It is said to be the best-preserved, complete 14th century home in England, and its striking appearance has made it a popular location for historical film and television dramas, including Wolf Hall, The Other Boleyn Girl and The Hollow Crown.

This Christmas, Penshurst Place is hosting a mini-pantomime, The Ice That Nearly Cancelled Christmas, in its great Baron's Hall decorated in Christmas garlands. The panto sees Father Christmas race to free Mrs Clause and their band of elves from the clutches of the wicked Ice Queen, who is determined to ruin Christmas with a deep freeze. The pantomime runs for 25 minutes, and tickets cost £8.50 per person, it will run from December 7 until December 23. Penshurst Place is also hosting a Christmas wreath-making workshop on December 4, see HERE for tickets.

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