Project

Reconnecting Scotney

Family, walled garden, summer flowers, castle, national trust, kent — Family in the walled garden at Scotney Castle, Kent | © National Trust Images/James Beck

Find out more about our work to reconnect Scotney Castle with heritage and communities.

About the project

'Reconnecting Scotney' has initially been granted round one development funding of £281,567 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing it to progress with its plans. Detailed proposals are then considered by the Heritage Fund at second round, where a final decision is made on the full funding award of £3,259,882.

Thanks to National Lottery players, the historic Vine House in the Walled Garden will be restored, the surrounding orchard reinstated with historic species, a new visitor hub will be built next to the car park and a new play area created outside of an additional cafe.

Taking inspiration from original site plans, ‘Reconnecting Scotney’ will recreate the orchard where the current car park sits, unifying the Grade I-listed Picturesque landscape and reuniting the walled garden with the mansion house and wider landscape.

Based on historic plans, the areas by the walled garden will be re-planted with an orchard designed to use the latest sustainable techniques to ensure climate resilience.

The removal of the current car park will remove cars from the heart of the offer, creating a safer and more appealing environment for visitors to wander and relax.

The Vine House was part of the initial Picturesque vision for the modernisation of Scotney in the 1800s. Without this funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund its stories would be forgotten.

Vines grow up the walls inside this glass house — Inside the Vine House at Scotney Castle | © National Trust Images/John Miller

Community first

It's important that this project is driven by the regular and meaningful involvement of local community groups, organisations, and schools who will be co-producing the direction and outcomes of the project with the National Trust.

These groups will become key collaborators to Scotney Castle and help ensure that diverse, local voices inform decision-making, project development, and heritage activities. They will also be given the opportunity to trial and test new ideas developed as part of the work.

Visitors to Scotney Castle will have the chance for their voices to be heard through surveys and feedback stations happening throughout the project’s development. These will be directly used to shape the project’s direction as we look to create spaces and activities that are engaging and accessible to all.

We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, vital conservation work can take place and Scotney will be a nurturing, inclusive environment for communities to engage with and our visitors to enjoy

A quote by Rebecca Rees General Manager at Scotney Castle

Surveying

In February, we gave visitors the opportunity to talk to us about how they currently use and experience the Walled Garden. We were keen to hear from those who are regular visitors, as well as those who weren't aware it existed.

Areas of discussion included:

The current use and perceptions of the walled garden
Who the space feels like it is for today
How the garden makes visitors feel
What visitors would like the walled garden to become in the future

Visitors were presented with a range of options for possible ways the Walled Garden could be used with the goal of understanding what would make this area a ‘must see’ part of everyone’s visit

The results, along with any future surveys, will be brought together alongside meaningful conversations with local communities to see how we can make the Walled Garden a space for everyone.

Would you like the opportunity to get involved?

We're looking to recruit new volunteers to help with our community work for 'Reconnecting Scotney'.

If this project is of interest to you, or if you'd like to find out more, click here.

Our Partners

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage.

'Reconnecting Scotney' is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.