Hever Castle is forced to delay new play area

A severe shortage of 'quality oak' in Europe has forced a Kent attraction to delay the opening of its new children's play area.

Tudor Towers at Hever Castle was due to be open this week.

But the castle and gardens, which was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, has said a shortage of wood has forced them to delay the opening, possibly until the autumn.

A spokesman said: "We are working very closely with the architect, FRLA Ltd and construction company, Duncan and Grove to get the structure finished and to complete a comprehensive safety audit as soon as possible."

When complete Tudor Towers will include a nine-metre tall castle and is said to be bigger than a four bedroom house with its own moat, drawbridge and three turrets.

Aimed at children aged between seven and 14, it will also feature three slides and two poles and lots of interactive elements split into three houses: Hawk, Bull and Squirrel.

Children will be able to experience a castle under siege with one side left incomplete as if it has been attacked, with a cargo net to climb, noises of archers, a drawbridge and 10 model knights to battle past.

There will also be a Dining Hall with room for Henry VIII and his six wives complete with the sounds of a crackling fire.

Tudor Towers will also feature different entrances and exits including a hidden Priest Hole.

Instruments to play, a roof maze to solve and hidden boxes to find, will mean it is sure to entertain everyone and close attention has been paid to replicating the history of Hever Castle within the new Tudor Towers area.

For updates on its opening and more details about Hever Castle itself, visit the website.