Scotney Castle came into the ownership of the Darrell family in 1411 where it remained until being sold in the later half of the 1700’s

Scotney Castle situated in the picturesque countryside of Tunbridge Wells, was built by Roger Ashburnham in the valley of the River Bewl during the period 1378-80. Scotney was built with round towers in each of its corners of which, the Ashburnham Tower, still remains today.

Scotney came into the ownership of the Darrell family in 1411 where it remained until being sold in the later half of the 1700’s. During there tenor they rebuilt the south wing in 1850 and during the 17th century the family hid the Jesuit Father Blount in the castles Priest’s Hole, which is still visible today.

In 1778, Edward Hussey brought the Scotney estate and it was Edwards’s grandson, another Edward, who commissioned Anthony Salvin to build a ‘new’ Scotney castle on a terrace 25 meters above the older castle. The sandstone used in the building project was quarried from the slope below, and the resulting area turned into a picturesque quarry garden. Not only did the quarry provide the beautiful sandstone but it also contained other treasures. A fossilised impression of a dinosaur’s foot print can be seen in the ancient ripples of the 1000,000,000 year old Great Wealden Sea.

Edward Hussey enthusiastically embarked on a reforestation programme which saw the planting of numerous trees and shrubbery in the newly provided parkland. The garden was created with the help of William Sawrey Gilpin whose uncle the Rev William Gilpin had considered the designs of ‘Capability Brown’ to be smooth and tidy. The Old Scotney Castle was selectively ruined to create a dramatic focal point for the new garden.

Christopher Hussey, the grandson of Edward Hussey III, inherited Scotney in 1952 and together with his wife Elizabeth, set about further beautification of the parkland by planting more trees and shrubs to give the garden more year round colour.

In 1970, Scotney Castle and its estates were left to the national Trust upon Christopher’s death.

Tourist Information

Garden

4 Mar–12 Mar '06   11–6    Sa Su

18 Mar–29 Oct '06   11–6   We Th Fr Sa Su

Old Castle

29 Apr–1 Oct '06    11–6   We Th Fr Sa Su

Estate walks

All year   Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su

Open BH Mons. Closed Good Fri.

Last admission 1hr before closing. Closes dusk if earlier

Admission prices

Garden/Old Castle: Adult £5.20  child £2.60  family £13

Estate walks:  Free