Scotney Castle, Kent

Nestled in the lush Kent countryside, Scotney is a great place to visit to delve into England’s historical past. The estate features a romantic 14th-century moated castle ruin that wouldn’t look out of place in a fantasy film, a stunning Victorian manor house with glorious gardens and impressive woodlands. Sit back and join us for a walk.

After visiting the friendly hosts at the ticket office, you’re armed with a map and ready to explore on as you want too. On a short walk down to the old castle, you get to appreciate a calming and enjoyable walk and it’s here that you get the first glimpse of the castle from above and not to mention all the beautiful trees, flowers and shrubs that are blooming here. Gold and orange Ghent azaleas and acers fill the quarry and the hill side. We visit in the the autumn time when the season changed from summer and the beautiful foliage and the oak moss surround us, warming us with it’s tones. Although in autumn I enjoy the colours, what I find beautiful to see is in the acer trees, once the autumn leaves have dropped, the almost papery textures of the maple’s trunks take the spotlight with chestnut colours, showing us the structural beauty of the gardens and the trees.

This estate has a long and rich history, the earliest parts of the old castle which we are on our way to, was built in 1378 by Roger de Ashburnham and was then gradually added to over the years by both the Darrell and hussey families. Just before we enter what I think is the most picturesque part of the estate, we are able to see the stunning Sweet Gum tree, boasting fiery red flamed leaves, purposely grown and planted for their glorious autumnal colour palettes with the leaves turning purple, crimson, orange and yellow throughout the year and this now red colour that we see that paints a beautiful photo and sets a tone for what beauty we are yet to see.

This structure was rebuilt during the Elizabethan period and though used as a house for a bailiff until 1905 it is now largely ruined. The castle then came into the hands of the Catholic Darrell family. In the late 16th century Thomas Darrell once hid a Catholic priest in the house which still contains a priest hole. The Darrells then sold to the Hussey family in 1778.

It was In the 1830’s Edward Hussey III drafted in the help and expertise of architect Antony Salvin to build a new house at the very top of the hill looking across at the valley and overlooking the old castle. He had the imagination and desire to turn the castle into a ruin, on purpose in order to get people to appreciate his gardens that he lovingly thought out.

Scotney Old Castle, is on an island on a small lake surrounded by a lake like moat. The circular Ashburnham Tower is the only one of the four original towers still standing. It was designed to be the centrepiece for all to enjoy and inside An Elizabethan brick range adjoining the tower is all that survives of the 16th-century additions and jagged walls with gaping windows mark a substantial 17th-century wing. It was later in 1836, Edward Hussey consulted W.S. Gilpin, a brilliant landscape designer, in an effort to take advantage of the scenic potential of the site. He knew the castle was too cold and damp for habitation so he had the walls of the castle selectively demolished, leaving the present fairy-tale ruin.

Wandering around the Castle grounds fills you with a sense of awe and provides its own atmospheric charm from the specialised variety of plants and it’s well maintained grounds. You can see why this place is the vision and inspiration for many painters, photographers and the perfect setting for a photo-shoot. The endless photo opportunities that sets the tone for a romantic fairy-tale castle starts here, the wildlife enjoying the moat and the never-ending views and different discoveries that you see here are wonderful and one that everyone can enjoy. On our visit we weren’t able to access either of the houses as they are closed for the season, but in all honesty I don’t think you need to, this place has everything you need from just the tranquil walk and the surroundings.

We then take a loop along the Knarley wooded archway path that leads on to the stone bridge that overlooks the castle, the old and worn down boat house and it’s surroundings. We took some moments here to relax and take in all the colours a look at some of the 100 year old tree’s and the views of course before setting off to enjoy the views of the castle and the moat again. I like that along the way the national trust have installed benches so you can sit and relax to take it all in listening to the sounds of nature.

We made our way up from the moat walk to the unusual looking building that’s the ice house, this building was built in 1841 and designed by Anthony Salvin who used a variety of materials including brick for the main chamber, timber for the main frame and heather that was used to thatch the roof. All of these materials would have been produced or grown on the estate itself. Icehouses were popular in the late 18^th century before modern day refrigerators and ice would have been collected during winter from the moat and stored inside the brick chamber which was lined with straw to keep it frozen until they needed it in the summer months. It’s unusual but fascinating to see.

We end the tour at the new Scotney Castle. The mid 19^th century Victorian mansion. It was a later addition to the estate and a well loved and lived in family home to three generations of the hussy family, incredibly inside it’s filled with objects, paintings collected throughout the decades. Originally built with sandstone that was quarried from the grounds of the old castle down below. Some of its wood panelling and furniture were also designed in a particular way for the house by the same architect Salvin, giving a continuation throughout the entire estate. What I love about seeing the mansion is the exterior architecture, including the family crest and their motto in Latin. Inside, the house was always known as a social and welcoming house, filled with many books and paintings, of which a lot of them were painted by the Husseys themselves and inside the building is full to the brim of memorabilia and memories, filled by the family throughout the years and carefully looked after.

Some interesting things to think about and look out for if you get the chance to enjoy the mansion is a secret door in the library which is decorated with false book spines with made up humorous titles, a visit to the kitchen were it was used as a location for the film Yanks that starred Richard Gere and a wander around the apartment that Margaret Thatcher had here during here time in office as Prime Minister. There are many things to be discovered here, this was only scratching the surface so we would really want to encourage you to head there for yourself and enjoy a day out here.

I think the best time of year for visiting here, or many of the other national trust properties is in Autumn winter, but all year round there is just so much happening and they always have events and tours here. Another fact is Scotney has the only working hop farm in the National Trust and these hops are used to produce Scotney Ale and Scotney Bitter so atrip to the shop as you’re leaving to pick up a bottle or two to take home with you is the perfect memento of a great day out. They have an on site tea room, a shop filled with goodies and a second hand bookshop that donates all it’s proceedings to carry out essential conservation work in the property. The visit here has three marked trails, clearly marked out and easily accessible for all including disabled visitors so everyone can enjoy and they are dog friendly too.

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Till Next Time!