What's on at Scotney Castle
Walled Garden Wednesday - Growing Rhubarb
The first rhubarb of the season is ready for harvesting. Come and hear about the challenges of growing forced and unforced stems.
Wed 03 Apr 2019
14:00-15:00
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt
The Hussey children who lived at Scotney Castle in the late 19th century kept diaries about the fun that they had in the grounds. Re-live their adventures as you take part in our bird egg hunt in the garden. Find all of our birds’ nests, collect...
Sat 06 Apr 2019
+ 16 other dates
10:00-16:00
Woodland walk to wilderness camp
Fun family walk through the park looping via Colliers wood and stopping at the wilderness camp.
Sat 13 Apr 2019
+ 6 other dates
11:30-13:00
+ other times
Walled Garden Wednesday - The Asparagus Plot
Have you ever wondered if asparagus is difficult to grow, and if it suffers from pests and diseases? Join us to find out how we grow ours.
Wed 17 Apr 2019
14:00-15:00
Signs of spring
Visit the best locations showcasing spring. See bluebells in the coppice, butterflies, birds and various early wildflowers.
Sat 27 Apr 2019
+ 9 other dates
11:30-13:00
+ other times
Walled Garden Wednesday - Supporting and staking plants
Come and learn about plant supports, using different materials and techniques for different vegetables, plants and trees.
Wed 01 May 2019
14:00-15:00
Walled Garden Wednesday - Seed sowing, softwood cuttings and hardening off
Seeds sown and plants grown in protected conditions will need hardening off before planting out. Join our gardeners to hear how to sow, propagate and grow on ready for summer.
Wed 15 May 2019
14:00-15:00
Tree detectives
How many trees can you identify this spring? Enjoy the Scotney big swing, colliers wood natural play area and learn how to identify trees with the help of our estate guides. Suitable for all the family.
Sat 25 May 2019
+ 8 other dates
11:30-13:00
+ other times
Walled Garden Wednesday - Dahlia Growing
The frosts should be over and the Dahlias are eager to get flowering. See what we do with our Dahlias at Scotney; to include overwintering, bed preparation and planting out. Learn how to create a wonderful display of your own.
Wed 29 May 2019
14:00-15:00
Walled Garden Wednesday - Growing tomatoes
We have grown tomatoes in our vine house for many years but while it is under repair, we will be looking to grow them outside instead. Learn about the techniques and the challenges we face in producing delicious tomatoes.
Wed 12 Jun 2019
14:00-15:00
Betty’s flower festival
Celebrate Betty Hussey’s love of flowers. Visit the house decorated with floral displays, as well as stepping out into our picturesque gardens this spring.
Sat 15 Jun 2019
+ 8 other dates
11:00-16:00
Woodlands Past and Present
A walk that takes in the woodlands of Scotney. This theme explores how the estate used to use its woodlands and how that has gradually changed over the years. It will also reveal how we look after them at present to deliver great nature conservation.
Sat 22 Jun 2019
+ 8 other dates
11:30-13:00
+ other times
Walled Garden Wednesday - Composting and wormeries
Come behind the scenes to see how we have structured our compost area and how to use a wormery. Discuss how you can make your own compost and what material is suitable to use.
Wed 26 Jun 2019
14:00-15:00
Wildflower Meadows at Scotney
National Meadows day takes place on the first weekend in July. This walk will visit some of our best wildflower meadows. It will cover aspects such as what makes a great wildflower meadow, how we create them and how we manage them.
Sat 06 Jul 2019
+ 6 other dates
11:30-13:00
+ other times
Walled Garden Wednesday - Herb garden
Our herb garden has become a relaxing and interesting ‘room’. Come and find out about the plants we grow; for dyeing, tea making, medicinal and culinary purposes.
Wed 10 Jul 2019
14:00-15:00
Butterflies, Dragonflies and demoiselles
A guided walk visiting some of the best locations for Butterflies, Dragonflies and demoiselles. Learn about some of the more common species that we expect to see at that time of year and have a go at spotting and identifying them. Don't forget to...
Wed 24 Jul 2019
+ 16 other dates
11:30-13:00
+ other times
Walled Garden Wednesday - Summer pruning of apple and plum trees
Summer pruning ensures good fruit production in Autumn of next year. Please join us to see how we prune our espalier, fan and free standing fruit trees.
Wed 24 Jul 2019
14:00-15:00
Big Tree Climbing Company
Join the Big Tree Climbing Company at Scotney Castle to reach new heights.
Mon 29 Jul 2019
+ 1 other date
10:00-17:00
Rivers and ponds of Scotney
A short walk visiting the rivers and ponds of Scotney. Over the years we have done a lot of work to improve our riparian and pond habitats. Come along and find out what we have done, found and why.
Sat 17 Aug 2019
+ 9 other dates
11:30-13:00
+ other times
Walled Garden Wednesdays - Dead-heading in the flower borders
Removal of dead flower heads can promote further flowering. Get some tips on which ones we remove to prolong the display and which ones we leave for winter interest.
Wed 21 Aug 2019
14:00-15:00
Walled Garden Wednesday - Grass maintenance
Managing formal areas of grass involves attention to drainage, weeds and pests. Subsidence requires turf lifting and levelling. Join us to hear how we do this.
Wed 04 Sep 2019
14:00-15:00
Walled Garden Wednesday - 'No dig' vegetable plot
Ground preparation for mulching commences from now on. Our summer successes/losses analysed and our crop rotation plans are studied. Come and hear about bed preparation, our ‘no-dig’ alternative method of maintenance and join our open discussion...
Wed 18 Sep 2019
14:00-15:00
Walled Garden Wednesday - Pumpkins galore
Our pumpkins are grown for Halloween decorations and for delicious recipes in the tea room. Come along to find out about how we grow them.
Wed 02 Oct 2019
14:00-15:00
Walled Garden Wednesday - Dahlia lifting
As soon as the first frost hits, we need to lift the Dahlias and store them over winter. Learn how we lift, clean and store tubers ready for planting again next year.
Wed 16 Oct 2019
14:00-15:00
Walled Garden Wednesday - Propagation from hardwood cuttings
Now is the time to take cuttings from established plants. Join our gardeners to learn about different propagation methods and how to grow more of your favourites.
Wed 30 Oct 2019
14:00-15:00
Walled Garden Wednesday - Herbaceous border care
Some perennial plants are lifted, separated and potted up at this time ready for replanting next year. Join us to find out how we care for the plants and the beds.
Wed 13 Nov 2019
14:00-15:00
Walled Garden Wednesday - Soft fruit care
At this time of year currants and gooseberries need pruning. Come and hear about maintaining the fruit cage, propagation and planting soft fruit.
Wed 27 Nov 2019
14:00-15:00
Walled Garden Wednesday - Rose pruning
Join us to hear how we winter prune our shrub, hybrid tea and climbing roses and get them looking their best for spring.
Wed 11 Dec 2019
14:00-15:00