Skip to content
Skip to content

A Century of Costume at Scotney Castle

Scotney Castle is proud to present a captivating new exhibition 'A Century of Costume at Scotney Castle' from 1st September to 2nd November

  • Booking not needed
  • Free event (admission applies)

To celebrate the release of new book '100 Things to Wear: Fashion from the Collections of the National Trust' Scotney Castle is launching a new costume exhibition in the house.

Step inside the elegant Victorian Mansion House and discover a rare display of 20 exquisite costumes spanning 1890-1990. This unique exhibition offers a glimpse into the wardrobes of two generations of the Hussey family, who lived at Scotney Castle until 2006.

Among the highlights are two remarkable garments featured in the new book, handpicked from over 30,000 items in the National Trust collection:

• The Black and White Stripe Day Dress worn by Rosamund Hussey in her 1910 portrait by J.J. Shannon. On display alongside the dress are the artist’s original sketch, photographs from the sitting, Rosamund’s hat, and personal letters exchanged with the artist—offering a deeply personal narrative behind this iconic painting on the stairwell to this day.

• The ‘Queen of Hearts’ Fancy Dress Costume, a charming handmade outfit created for a child attending a castle fête in 1951. It's a delightful piece of post-war creativity and nostalgia.

The exhibition also features a treasure trove of fashion history with costumes on display, many with photos of who wore them, including a 1920s flapper dress, 1960s Harvey Nichols fashion, historic staff uniforms, The Sherriff of Kent uniform worn by Edward Windsor Hussey in 1907 and more!

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

Check admission prices

The basics

Accessibility

Accessibility Information Costumes are displayed on mannequins across two floors of the Mansion House. The ground floor is wheelchair accessible. For visitors unable to access the upper floor, photographs of the full exhibition are available upon request.

Other

Entry to the exhibition is included in your admission to Scotney Castle - no need to pre-book. However, we recommend pre-booking your parking to avoid disappointment.

Upcoming events

The Goblin King's Lost Path - Scotney Castle (18 October - 2 November) 

This half term, join the Goblin King and his mischievous friends on a quest through the enchanting labyrinth of the Scotney Castle gardens

Event summary

on
23 Oct to 2 Nov 2025
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 10 other dates or times

Christmas at Scotney Castle (22 Nov-4 Jan) 

This festive season, experience a Christmas as magical and memorable as Scotney Castle itself. From beautifully themed rooms inspired by storybook charm, to twinkling illuminations, festive trail and treats in the tearoom - something for all ages.

Event summary

on
22 Nov 2025 to 4 Jan 2026
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 43 other dates or times

Christmas Lunches in Coach House Tea-room 

Enjoy a festive get-together with family and friends this Christmas.

Event summary

on
24 Nov to 12 Dec 2025
at
12:00 to 13:00
+ 41 other dates or times

'Late Nights & Lights' at Scotney Castle this Christmas 

Just when you thought you couldn’t fall more in love with Scotney Castle, we’ve created enchanting evenings of festive delights to give you and your loved ones an unforgettable experience this Christmas.

Event summary

on
13 Dec to 22 Dec 2025
at
16:00 to 19:30
+ 5 other dates or times