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The castle began as a country house, built in the 13th century. From 1462 to 1539 it was the seat of the Boleyn, originally 'Bullen', family.

Anne Boleyn, the second queen consort of King Henry VIII of England, spent her early youth there, after her father, Thomas Boleyn had inherited it in 1505. He had been born there in 1477, and the castle passed to him upon the death of his father, Sir William Boleyn. It later came into the possession of King Henry's fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. In the 21st century the castle is a tourist attraction.

The gardens were laid out between 1904 and 1906, designed by an architect (F L Pearson) and a nurseryman (J Cheale). A 38 acre lake was also made, dug by 800 workers over 2 years.

Link

Castle website: Link

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