Scotney Castle- National Trust

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Scotney Castle- National Trust Ruined medieval castle + Victorian mansion house + Picturesque garden + ancient estate = Romance, drama, nature, a castle for all seasons.
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See Scotney website and page links for events, more information, and car park booking. Scotney is not one but two houses. At the top of the hill is the new house, designed by Anthony Salvin in Elizabethan style and built in 1837 for Edward Hussey III, who took the ‘Picturesque’ style as his inspiration. At the bottom of the valley are the romantic ruins of a medieval castle and moat. This is the focal point of the celebrated gardens featuring spectacular displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and kalmia in May/June with trees and shrubs providing autumnal colour. The estate is open all year, offering a variety of walks through beautiful parkland, woodland and farmland. HOUSE RULES
We want our page to be a place where people can share how they feel about the National Trust and talk about their experiences in a fun environment. We welcome feedback – both positive and negative. It helps us to learn and grow. These house rules aim to ensure everyone can enjoy themselves while they’re here. We ask you to be nice and polite to one another – you almost always are!- and respect each other’s views and comments. We ask all users to ensure your contributions are civil, polite, tasteful and suitable for all ages. We won’t
tolerate disruptive, offensive or abusive behaviour, unlawful or objectionable content. This includes any material which might be defamatory, offensive,infringing, obscene, lewd, pornographic, violent, abusive, insulting, threatening, harassing, discriminatory, blasphemous, indecent or otherwise unlawful or objectionable. It also includes any material which is aggressive, argumentative or likely to be construed as bullying. No spamming or repetition, please, nor off-topic material in subject-specific threads or areas. MODERATION POLICY
In general, we don’t moderate posts – except on the rare occasion that someone has used offensive language or made libellous allegations about named or identifiable individuals on our page. We have a duty to protect our
staff and volunteers, so while deleting comments is totally out of character for us, our legal position is that any post containing a libellous accusations, should be removed. If an individual continues to post offensive, threatening or
libellous content then we’ll be forced to block that person from the page. We won’t tolerate postings, content, or links that are racist, sexist or homophobic. We also don’t permit linking to or posting any content which endorses illegal
activity, or any activities against the values of the National Trust. If you’re concerned that a posting or user content has broken any of our house rules or you’re worried about any comment or content then please send us an email to: [email protected] and let us know.

🍃🐝Why Clearance MattersIn Autumn 2024, Hamish, our Head Gardener, undertook the significant task of clearing invasive Rh...
29/10/2026

🍃🐝Why Clearance Matters

In Autumn 2024, Hamish, our Head Gardener, undertook the significant task of clearing invasive Rhododendron ponticum from the Sunken Way. Removing invasive species is vital for creating healthier habitats and supporting biodiversity, and the benefits of this work are already becoming clear.

Solitary bees have taken up residence in the newly exposed banks, burrowing into the slope to create nests where they can overwinter 🐝

It's a wonderful example of how careful habitat management can have an immediate impact, creating opportunities for wildlife to flourish and helping nature thrive.

© National Trust Image / Katie Welland / Hamish Bett / Alice Bowen

👩‍🍳 Looking for a chef role without late nights or split shifts?Join the team at Scotney Castle and enjoy a healthier wo...
28/10/2026

👩‍🍳 Looking for a chef role without late nights or split shifts?

Join the team at Scotney Castle and enjoy a healthier work-life balance, with typical hours of 9am to 5pm, monthly planned rotas, and the opportunity to work for the National Trust.

Working alongside a friendly and supportive team, you'll prepare freshly made seasonal dishes, soups, sandwiches, cakes and light lunches using fresh ingredients, helping create memorable experiences for everyone who visits.

Whether you're an experienced chef or cook looking for a new challenge, this could be your opportunity to develop your skills while being part of a team that helps care for a really special place.

- Full-time role (37.5 hours per week)
- Permanent position

Please note: Scotney Castle is in a rural location, so you'll need to consider how you'll travel to and from work.

Applications close 1 November.

For full details about the role, benefits and how to apply, visit the vacancy listing: nationaltrustjobs.org.uk

© National Trust Images / James Dobson

🐈‍⬛ Happy National Black Cat Day!Today we’re celebrating our much-loved resident black cat, Betsy, and the long history ...
27/10/2026

🐈‍⬛ Happy National Black Cat Day!

Today we’re celebrating our much-loved resident black cat, Betsy, and the long history of cats and cat lovers at Scotney Castle.

In honour of Betsy, this half term you can enjoy a ghost cat spotter trail around the mansion house. Keep your eyes peeled for feline phantoms and, if you’re lucky, you might even spot the real Betsy as well.

The trail is free with standard admission and fun for adults and children alike. Just ask for a map when you enter the house.

Open daily, 10am-3.30pm until 1 November.

🔗 Click the link our bio to book your parking and plan your visit.

National Trust Images / Alice Bowen

National Trust South East team

⚠️ Scotney Castle closed due to high winds - Friday 23 October ⚠️For visitor safety, Scotney Castle will be closed on 23...
22/10/2026

⚠️ Scotney Castle closed due to high winds - Friday 23 October ⚠️

For visitor safety, Scotney Castle will be closed on 23 October due to forecast high winds caused by Storm Austen.

This is a full site closure, including all buildings, gardens and estate walks.

Reopening will be subject to weather conditions and the completion of essential safety checks.

Please check our website and social media channels for the latest updates before travelling.

Thank you for your understanding.

©National Trust Images/Laurence Perry

📣Car park works update With tarmacing and drainage works underway, our new and improved car park in the overflow field i...
21/10/2026

📣Car park works update

With tarmacing and drainage works underway, our new and improved car park in the overflow field is still on track to open for visitors in spring 2027.

While these works are in place, all visitors should book their car parking in advance to guarantee entry.

In spring 2027, the current main car park will be removed and later transformed into a historic orchard, reinstating an immersive first impression of the property. This new car park will then become our main car park.

Progress is also being made to create a new bound gravel path leading from the new car park, through the Picturesque landscape and down to Visitor Reception.

When the new car park opens, visitors can look forward to:
• No booking system
• More spaces, new accessible parking, bike racks and EV charging points
• A free and regular shuttle service running between the car park and main site

To find out more about the wider project of works, click here: rebrand.ly/9iwilrl

To book your visit, click here: rebrand.ly/0lq1n0s

© Jason Potter, Buxton Building

🐞 Help build a bug hotel at Scotney Castle!Join us for a family volunteering session in the Walled Garden, where you'll ...
16/10/2026

🐞 Help build a bug hotel at Scotney Castle!

Join us for a family volunteering session in the Walled Garden, where you'll work alongside our gardening team to create willow bug hotels for bees, beetles and other beneficial insects.

Get hands-on together, learn about biodiversity, and create cosy homes for nature.

- Wednesday 28 October
- 10am-1pm
- Scotney Castle

All ages welcome.

This event is limited capacity. To register your interest please email [email protected]

Please note: Car park booking is essential at Scotney in 2026.

National Trust Images / Chris Lacey / James Dobson / Helen Park

🎃 The Scotney pumpkins are ready for harvest!Over the next few days, our wonderful gardening team will be busy bringing ...
14/10/2026

🎃 The Scotney pumpkins are ready for harvest!

Over the next few days, our wonderful gardening team will be busy bringing in the pumpkin and squash harvest from the Walled Garden.

Available to purchase outside Visitor Reception throughout October half term, just in time for Halloween 👻

👻 The monsters around Scotney's moat need your help!They've misplaced their invitation to a mysterious monster party. Fo...
08/10/2026

👻 The monsters around Scotney's moat need your help!

They've misplaced their invitation to a mysterious monster party. Follow the clues, complete the challenges and uncover the secret location before the sun goes down.

🎃 Halloween half-term trail
📅 17 October - 1 November
🎁 £3.50 per trail, including a small gift

Click here to book your adventure and plan your parking: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle

Please note: Car park booking is essential at Scotney in 2026.

©National Trust Images/James Dobson

Betty Hussey and Maud Kerr-Smiley, 1926This photograph shows Betty and her mother, Maud, aboard the SS Majestic in 1926,...
04/10/2026

Betty Hussey and Maud Kerr-Smiley, 1926

This photograph shows Betty and her mother, Maud, aboard the SS Majestic in 1926, a decade before Betty's marriage to Christopher Hussey.

Captioned the "Giggle Sisters", the pair were frequent travelling companions, regularly crossing the Atlantic together and enjoying life in London's social circles. Through photographs, diaries and fashion, we have built more of a picture not only of their individual lives, but also of their close mother-daughter relationship.

✨Flapper Fashion, Scotney Castle's latest exhibition, has provided an exciting opportunity to delve deeper into the glamorouslives of Maud and Betty and the remarkable collection of couture fashion they left behind.

📍 On display daily until 1 November, upstairs in the Mansion House.

Plan your visit and book your parking here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle

©National Trust Images

Address

Scotney Castle
Lamberhurst
TN38JN

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441892893820

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