Hever Castle's Christmas event takes visitors to a Neverland-themed wonderland

A magical journey into Neverland awaits families headed for Hever Castle this Christmas.

The Peter Pan-themed trail, which has been built as part of this year's festive attraction, whisks families through London and into the land of lost boys.

Fancy a trip to Neverland?
Fancy a trip to Neverland?

After the stresses and strains of 2020 there is no doubt the self-led walking trail will cover even the biggest non-believers with a little bit of pixie dust and transport families from the children's nursery, through the capital city, past the second star to the right and straight on until morning.

A mass of stars and planets hang from Hever's imposing trees before the walk through the brick tunnel will take families into Neverland itself where shadows of Peter dance on huts and buildings, there's the sound of the ticking croc and a colourful display of teepees marks the hideaway holes of Pan's lost boys.

But the Peter Pan trail is not the only magic to be cast over Hever Castle this Christmas - despite the introduction of Kent's Tier 3 restrictions altering the attraction's initial plans for an interactive trail full of Peter Pan characters and the opportunity to tour the decorated castle.

Both of those remain on hold under current regulations but the grotto and fairground rides have made a welcome return since the beginning of December and there is plenty to see without needing to set foot inside Anne Boleyn's former childhood home.

Across Hever's extensive gardens and grounds are magical displays of lights, glitter balls and colour changing bulbs which fall and dance on the water in the ponds, moat and lake.

The castle is lit, there are outdoor catering stalls offering everything from cakes to crepes and even Christmas decorations and souvenirs can be bought or ordered and collected.

Hever Castle at Christmas
Hever Castle at Christmas

Apart from the Castle's closure, the only suggestion that things are any different this year is the appearance of additional hand sanitising stations, no indoor catering and the introduction of a one way system for visitors to stick to. But even that makes things easier to negotiate in the dark and removes the risk of running into excitable toddlers coming full pelt in the opposite direction.

Christmas at Hever Castle is running until Christmas Eve. For further information and ticket availability please click here.

For more suggestions of things to do with the kids in the run up to Christmas visit www.mykentfamily.co.uk

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