Visit Scotney Castle

Today I want to share my guide to how to visit Scotney Castle in Kent, England with you. Featuring a medieval castle and a 19th-century mansion, it’s a two-for-one special when it comes to heritage properties. There’s plenty to do and see outdoors, too, and it makes for a great day trip from London.

Located between Tunbridge Wells and Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Scotney Castle is nestled in the English countryside in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Kent.

A National Trust property, entrance is free for members (you can get a membership here). When you visit Scotney Castle, expect to feel like you’ve been whisked back in time to a pastoral idyll in old England.

How to Get to Scotney Castle

It’s easy to get to Scotney Castle from London and other parts of southern England. It’s located near Lamberhurst, and the trip takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes by car from London, depending where you leave from.

There’s on-site parking (book in advance), and once you’re there, you’re ready to visit Scotney Castle.

Visiting Scotney Castle

There are a lot of things to do at Scotney Castle, including seeing the 14th-century moated castle and Victorian mansion house, going for walks, and having a snack or meal in the tearoom.

The Castle

First things first. This is a castle, after all, and no trip would be complete without seeing the main event. It’s a short walk down the hill from the entrance to the historic ruin, and there are great views of it from the Picturesque garden on the way.

Scotney Castle (sometimes called Scotney Old Castle) dates back to 1137. The castle itself was built in the late 14th century by Roger de Ashburnham, presumably in response to French invasions in 1377.

It underwent changes over the centuries, and eventually it was partly dismantled and left as a garden feature. Today Scotney Castle is known for being one of the most important survivals of a complete Picturesque vision.

A beautiful ruin on an island in a small lake, its round tower and historic walls can be admired from the garden in front of it. Visitors can walk through some of the old spaces now open to the elements, too.

The Mansion House

Up the hill from the castle, the mansion house (sometimes called Scotney New Castle) was built by the Hussey family between 1835 and 1843.

Designed by Anthony Salvin in the Tudor Revival style, it was built with sandstone quarried from the hill below the house.

The mansion can be toured when you visit Scotney Castle. The interiors reflect several generations’ collections of furniture, paintings, books, and other personal belongings.

Guides are on hand to answer questions and tell stories about the past inhabitants. From bedrooms to reception rooms and a library, there are a lot of interiors to discover at Scotney Castle.

The Gardens at Scotney Castle

There are a lot of places to see outside, too. The Scotney Castle gardens include everything from a glade to a quarry garden with a footprint of an Iguanadon dinosaur.

There’s a Victorian walled garden that once provided the household produce (and still grows fruit, vegetables, and flowers today), and over 780 acres of Grade-I listed parkland, woodland, and hop gardens to explore.

Various flowers bloom here throughout the year, from daffodils, wisteria, and rhododendrons in the spring to lush roses in the summer. Green-winged orchids can be spotted on the terraces around the house, too.

Walking through the gardens is a highlight of a visit to Scotney Castle. If you plan ahead, you can bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds.

Scotney Castle Walks

There are lots of Scotney Castle walks you can take on a visit, too. The wooded estate offers miles of walking paths through the grounds.

You can pick up a Scotney Castle map at the entrance and follow some of the marked trails. The Parkland Trail is a 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) walk, and the Woodland Trail and Hop Trail are 1.5-mile (2.4-kilometer) routes.

The walks will take you by the River Bewl, over Sweetbourne Bridge, and past great views of the castle and mansion house. You might even spot the herd of historic Sussex cattle as you go.

Shopping

There’s shopping to be done when you visit Scotney Castle, too. There’s a second-hand bookshop at the entrance, and a gift shop selling souvenirs, plants, and other wares.

Tearoom

If you’re hungry, you can visit the Scotney Castle tearoom. It offers a range of food and drinks that are great for snacks and lunches. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, too. There’s also an ice cream kiosk for sweet treats on sunny days.