Scotney Castle

Important notice -

In line with government guidance, outdoor spaces only at Scotney Castle are open for local visitors to access for walks. You will need to book your visit in advance. You will be turned away if you arrive without a booking.

Romantic garden with view of 14th century moated castle and the Victorian country mansion and - all in a beautiful wooded estate

Please book ahead before visiting Check availability

More about this place

A family enjoying the outdoors in autumn or winter

Visiting information for this winter 

In England and Northern Ireland, our gardens, parks and countryside remain open for local people to exercise. Shops, houses and other indoor areas are closed, and cafés are takeaway only. The safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors from the nearby community remains our priority and we urge you to book your visits in advance and stay local. All places in Wales are currently closed. Please check the property webpage before you travel.

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Scotney Castle

What's on 

Scotney Castle   Kent

We recommend booking ahead before visiting

The garden, wider estate, cafe (for takeaway) and toilets are open at Scotney Castle. The shop is closed. To avoid disappointment please book in advance, especially at busier times such as weekends and bank holidays. However, where space is available on weekdays, pre-booking may not always be necessary. If you do not book we cannot guarantee admission. Members can book for free, while non-members will need to pay when booking. We'll be releasing tickets every Friday. We're looking forward to welcoming you back.

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Upcoming events

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Timed entry to Scotney Castle (11 Jan - 17 Jan)

Sun 17 Jan 2021
10:00-15:00
Book your timed entry to visit Scotney Castle.

Timed entry to Scotney Castle (18 Jan - 24 Jan)

Mon 18 Jan 2021
10:00-15:00
Book your timed entry to visit Scotney Castle.
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Scotney Castle

Things to see and do

Things to see and do at Scotney Castle

Scotney Castle summer garden venetian well-head old castle

Scotney Castle Reopening Information and FAQs 

Our garden, wider estate and tea-room (for takeaways) at Scotney Castle are open, and we're looking forward to welcoming you back.

Scotney Old Castle reflected in the moat during summer

The Garden at Scotney Castle 

With traditional beds and borders, Scotney Castle is best described as a landscape garden with many unique features including a glade and naturalistic planting.

View of Scotney Castle from the estate

The Estate at Scotney Castle 

The estate at Scotney Castle in Kent offers an array of parkland and woodland with perfect picnic spots, hop gardens and a herd of Sussex cattle.

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Scotney Castle

Eating

A hot drink to go

Eating at Scotney Castle 

Our tea-room is open daily serving a range of takeaway hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches, cake and limited hot food. Due to government restrictions our indoor seating area is currently closed. Please comply with social distancing measures and ensure you are wearing a mask when visiting out tea-room servery. Please note we can only accept card payment at this time.

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Scotney Castle

History

Edwards Hussey III and his family on the Bastion at Scotney Castle

The history of Scotney Castle 

Scotney Castle has a long and rich history dating from 1137 and holds some interesting stories about the last inhabitants of the castle, the Hussey family, as well as a former Prime Minister too.

A River Landscape with Jacob and Laban and his Daughters, by Claude Lorrain, 1654

What is the picturesque?  

The picturesque is an aesthetic category developed in the eighteenth-century. It was associated with fashionable landscape gardening, however its cultural significance extended far beyond this.

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Scotney Castle

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