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Scotney Castle

The medieval moated Old Scotney Castle lies in a peaceful wooded valley on the Kent/Sussex border. In the 1830s its owner, Edward Hussey III, set about building a new house, partially demolishing the Old Castle to create a romantic ruin, the centrepiece of his visionary landscape.

Owner Info

Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle

About Scotney Castle

From the terraces of the Victorian mansion house which are a-bloom with rare green-winged orchids in late spring and early summer, sweeps of rhododendron, azaleas and kalmia cascade down the slope towards the moat. But there is so much more to explore. The Quarry Garden, with its azaleas, acers and winding walkways, was created from the spoils of the quarrying undertaken to provide stone for the building of the mansion house. Amongst the Old Castle ruins, the herb beds around the 14th century Venetian wellhead and herbaceous borders provide a place for tranquil reflection. Statuesque trees, including a Sequoiadendron giganteum planted in the 1850s, inhabit the West Glade, while the one-acre octagonal Walled Garden with its wall-trained fruit trees, vegetable beds, cut-flower beds and herb garden gives an indication of how the Hussey household lived over 180 years ago. The whole represents one of the last and most successful representations of the Picturesque movement in landscape design.

Location details

Scotney Castle,
Lamberhurst,
Kent,
TN3 8JN

Directions to Scotney Castle
On A21 London - Hastings, brown tourist signs. Bus: (Mon to Fri) 256 Tunbridge Wells to Wadhurst Autocar service via Lamberhurst alight Lamberhurst Green.

Scotney Castle openings

You can just turn up and pay on the day.

Refreshments Light refreshments in the Courtyard tea-room.
Admission Adult: £17.00
Child: £8.50
Opening times 10:00-17:00

Accessibility

  • Manual wheelchairs and individual mobility scooters are available to borrow. Booking recommended for mobility scooters by calling 01892 893820.
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FAQs

Payment is by cash only. Please get in touch with the owners for more details.

Yes, coaches are accepted at Scotney Castle. Please get in touch with the owners for details.

Yes, dogs are welcome at Scotney Castle. Please keep the dogs on fixed short leads in the garden and keep in mind that you are responsible for controlling the dog’s behaviour. For any specific rules please ask the owners.

Yes, there are various plants offerred for sale at Scotney Castle, please enquire with the owners for more details.

Yes, one or more routes at Scotney Castle are accessible to wheelchair users.

Yes. Scotney Castle seeks to offer a sustainable refuge for nearby fauna and wildlife. These sanctuaries host diverse habitats supporting indigenous flora and fauna and nurturing local biodiversity.