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Celebrate the 1940s at Hever’s Home Front festival at Hever Castle in Edenbridge

The historic grounds of Hever Castle will be transformed into a hive of swing dancing, retro fashion and Spitfire planes for a 1940s-themed weekend.

Hever’s Home Front wll take visitors back in time, transporting them to a decade where the music was jivin’, the food was rationed and the Blitz spirit was in full force.

Hever's Home Front is a 1940s weekender taking place at the castle. Picture: Hever Castle and Gardens
Hever's Home Front is a 1940s weekender taking place at the castle. Picture: Hever Castle and Gardens

The lawns of Anne Boleyn’s childhood home in Edenbridge will be lined with stalls selling retro wares, from the likes of hair and makeup stylist Pretty Me Vintage to antique treasures from Faversham-based vendor Where the Good Stuff Is.

These won’t be the only spots worth browsing over the weekend, as there will be lots of display vehicles dotted around the grounds.

The festival will include displays of military aircraft and vehicles. Picture: Hever Castle and Gardens
The festival will include displays of military aircraft and vehicles. Picture: Hever Castle and Gardens

With Harley Davidson motorcycles, British Jeeps and retro police vehicles, car enthusiasts will be in their element as they admire these rare motors.

There will also be a replica Spitfire, model boat display and a 1940s lifeboat, along with a talk from a fundraiser from Sheerness Lifeboat Station who will reveal the vital duties of lifeboats during the decade.

To make sure the atmosphere is as immersive as possible, reenactment groups such as Dad’s Army, Fabulous Fashionistas, Wartime Police and RAF Reenactment will be wandering the castle grounds and bringing different aspects of 1940s Britain to life.

There will be swing dancing lessons, live jazz music and a dance tent. Picture: Hever Castle and Gardens
There will be swing dancing lessons, live jazz music and a dance tent. Picture: Hever Castle and Gardens

Although the wartime efforts are a large part of the weekender, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy during your visit.

The dance tent will be home to live music from Stephanie Belle and Jivin’ Jim Dandy and a crowd of swing dancers.

Visitors are free to step onto the dancefloor too if they wish, or take part in a swing dance class beforehand to build up your confidence before having a go.

Overseeing the whole affair will be none other than 1940s Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine.

Actors playing the couple, who once lived at National Trust property Chartwell in Westerham, will be inspecting the troops at the castle forecourt before the former leader gives a rousing speech to the crowd.

Hever’s Home Front takes place within the castle’s award-winning gardens and grounds. Picture: Hever Castle and Gardens
Hever’s Home Front takes place within the castle’s award-winning gardens and grounds. Picture: Hever Castle and Gardens

There will also be refreshments and a chance to explore the award-winning castle gardens and discover the fascinating history behind this Kent landmark.

Hever’s Home Front takes place on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25 at Hever Castle in Edenbridge.

Activities are included in a standard entry ticket, which can be booked online.

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