When you think of a 14-century moated castle, romantic and beguiling doesn’t really spring to mind – well not if you imagine a Game of Thrones-esque fortress rising from the ground in bleak midwinter.
Scotney Castle
However, there really is a fairytale castle set in the Tunbridge Wells countryside – a National Trust gem which we visited back in the summer called Scotney Castle. And, with over 700 acres of parkland and woodland to explore, as well a Victorian country house mansion to visit – there is plenty for families to enjoy.
It’s not difficult to see why Scotney Castle estate was once described as: ‘Like stepping into a picture’. Not least of all the picturesque surroundings and the delightful gardens filled with bright, colourful rhododendrons, azaleas, wisteria and roses – with the centrepiece being moated Scotney Old Castle, which stands on an island on a small lake.
Scotney Castle History
The country house itself was built by Edward Hussey III from the sandstone quarried from the grounds of the Old Castle and is positioned to overlook the Castle. You can take a tour of the house inside and view several rooms, including the ‘Salvin’, which was designed by the house’s architect Anthony Salvin.
We didn’t go inside, purely because it was such a glorious day and we wanted to make the most of the sunshine. But I was surprised to find out some quirky house facts including former PM Margaret Thatcher used to rent the Belfry flat during the 1970-80s, when it served as a weekend escape, and Richard Gere starred in a 1979 film here called Yanks.
Our favourite part of the trip was just walking around the estate and soaking in the stunning views of the old castle surrounded by the glistening water.
We even went inside the castle to see some of the priest holes – hiding places for Catholic priests during a time of persecution around 1558 when Elizabeth I wanted to eradicate them. Of course, Monkey tried to climb inside…
After wandering amongst the outside ruins covered in creepers and an abundance of bright foliage, we came to the water’s edge and Monkey spent a while counting all the ducks swimming in the lake.
We also walked the circumference of the water and came across a wooden bridge and a sunken boathouse. Don’t you love the reflection of it in the lake?
We then went back towards the main house and took the path down to the rock garden before heading to the walled garden which had fresh vegetables and produce for sale. Monkey enjoyed running through the rows of vegetable patches and looking at the scarecrows. It was so peaceful.
By this time we were all melting, so grandma kindly offered to buy us all ice-cream and we all sat under the shade of the tree gobbling up our sweet treats before they melted into oblivion.
Had we had more energy, we could have taken a stroll along the nature play trail and let Monkey climb through tyres, balance on a fallen tree and build a den in the Wilderness Camp. We could even have taken the estate trail to the working hop farm and the unmistakable oast houses.
But we were all too lethargic from the summer heat to go much further than our immediate vicinity. And to be honest, our surroundings were picture perfect enough.
It goes without saying that Scotney Castle is available for private hire – a truly magical scene for a spectacular wedding – and a truly enchanting setting just to while away a few hours. We were certainly captivated by its charm.
National Trust’s Scotney Castle Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 8J; Open 10.00am-7.00pm daily; Adult: £13.00; Child: £6.50
Wow, it’s just like a fairytale place, doesn’t the National Trust have some stunning places to visit. Not surprised you stayed outside, seems like the weather was perfect and so much to see. The quirky facts about the house have got me intrigued too, I’ve never heard if this place before but definitely want to go now!
Oh you’d love it there. I imagine in the winter, it looks more gothic and dramatic rather than fairytale.
National Trust really does. The gardens look so lovely!
it’s very picturesque indeed! There are many beautiful castles in the UK and I’ve only visited a few of them! My favorite one has to be Arundel!
Thanks Anna, you know I haven’t been to Arundel. Must add to the list!
Great pictures. What a lovely spot! It looks like to perfect place to hold a wedding. Just think of the scenery one could have in the background of the bride and groom shots!
Your little dude looks like he had a wonderful day out. Ice cream always makes things awesome!!
I know, what a stunning place to get married! I wish I had now! 🙂
What a pretty place. I love hearing the history of these old buildings. They have so many fascinating stories to tell. Lucky Monkey, he gets to go such wonderful places.
Picturesque..perfect for a spring or summer’s day out. I wonder how it would be like during autumn..
It really does look like a picture, a perfect one at that. My parents have been in Kent for the past decade or so and I’ve never heard of this place. Next time I visit them I’d love to go here too.
I miss visiting these lovely historic castles in England and around Europe…as much as we are loving living and travelling in New Zealand this year! Scotney caslte looks absolutely lovely, so picturesque and scenic 🙂
How lovely – kids must love it!! (the magic of it)
What a gorgeous castle, I can only imagine how wonderful a wedding out there may be! 😀
What a gorgeous castle, exactly how I would picture one to be if I was to conjure one up for a story.
Gosh it really is beautiful. You had a fabulous day for taking photos – they are superb. I love all the fascinating facts about Margaret Thatcher and Richard Gere!
I love castles – what an absolutely fantastic day out! 🙂
What a beautiful castle. A wedding there would be perfect. Your son looks like he’s having a great time- too cute!
What fabulous castle grounds to explore on a family day out! Beautiful images Ting. I do not blame you for not going inside the castle, the scenery outside is spectacular. Thanks for hosting #MondayEscapes
How beautiful – it always amazes me how many places like this are hiding in the English countryside. That reflection is so stunning, fab photos. #mondayescapes
It is indeed charming and it looks like you chose a lovely day to visit.
It’s post like this that I do really miss England, though looks like you scored a beautiful day bathed in sunshine! #MondayEscapes
Gorgeous photos. I’m tempted to get National Trust membership for us at Christmas #MondayEscapes
What a beautiful place and what a gorgeous day! Funny to read about the running in the vegetable rows: my kids love to do that too, the scenery around often completely lost on them, while I daydream of princesses and fairytales!
Lovely place. Very romantic. I agree with you, it seems like a perfect location for a fairy tale wedding. 🙂
Also, your little Monkey is such a cutie pie. <3
#MondayEscapes
This place looks absolutely stunning! My daughter would love the garden. I think it’s so cool there are place where you can walk around a 14th century castle. Where I’ve lived, castles are places you can only visit in your imagination or by purchasing an expensive plane ticket #MondayEscapes.
No wonder this was the location for a film – it’s beautiful. I love visiting places with so much history as well as stunning grounds. It look like you had a great day. It’s making me long for summer again! #MondayEscapes
What a fantastic place to explore! I love all the reflections in the water. I’ve been so poor at visiting all these magnificent English castles – I really need to do more! Excellent pictures…and how cute is Monkey!! #mondayescapes
I cannot imagine Maggie Thatcher renting the flat, I’m convinced she lived nowhere except 10 Downing Street! I wonder if she ever hid in any of the priest holes in the castle?! #mondayescapes
Oh I do love a good castle and National Trust places are always fab for a.good fun family day out. Looks stunning and what a gorgeous day you had for it! Xx
These photos are so pretty, it really is like a fairy-tale. The sunken boathouse is beautiful, in an eerie sort of way. You’re right, this would be an amazing setting for a wedding! Sabrina xx #MondyEscapes
We’re massive fans of National Trust properties. This location is something out of a fairytale! My mummy loves Rhododendrons and would love walking around the gardens. #MondayEscapes
Wow it’s like a fairy tale plus secret garden type place! I love it! Your son is so adorable with his ice cream cone! #MondayEscapes
It looks like a great place, I love the National Trust, such a fantastic organisation and some truly interesting properties. I love places that have amazing outdoor spaces, this looks beautiful 🙂 #MondayEscapes
Loving your photos and the choice of graphics over your first shot. Looks like a beautiful place
Beautiful! I love visiting National Trust places, too. And this one is definitely now on the list. Looks like it would be fun to photograph, and to find a quiet spot under a shady tree with a picnic 🙂
That is indeed a gem of a place. What a great place to roam around. Obviously we have nothing like that in the states, so I have to be content with photos like these. Thank you.
I always used to think of NT places in terms of the houses before I had kids, but it’s really the grounds that have come into their own now. Love that last picture. Must figure out a good event to hire the castle for!
We’ve recently become National Trust members so I will have to add this one to my list; it looks absolutely gorgeous and it sounds like you had a wonderful summer day trip too.
Sounds truly amazing! I love that you are doing so many great adventures near to home 🙂
Wow, this place looks beautiful. I’m such a sucker for castles. It looks like you had a good time! 🙂
So much of England I want to see! It’s so easy to fall into the London trap…
What a dreamy place. I’d heard of it but hadn’t realised it was so close to home ! oops! – Another one for this list 🙂 Thanks for hosting #mondayescapes x
It is, so close! You’d love it. It’s a special place
We went to Scotty Castle last year but when we visited it had green netting and scaffolding all around so couldn’t get the lovely photos that you have. Although its a great place and we had a lovely lunch in the cafe, walked amongst the pumpkin patch in the walled garden and found an amazing conker tree which was practically untouched with some of the largest conkers I have very seen. Meant to go back this year but never quite got round to it!! Thanks for hosting #MondayEscapes xx
Ah that’s such a shame you couldn’t see the castle properly. It’s so pretty there though – definitely one of my favourite NT places. Monkey would have loved the conker tree! xx