Scotney - A Tale of Two Castles

Scotney Castle is a rather special place to visit; the visitor first encounters a  beautiful Victorian mansion, known as ‘New’ Scotney Castle. It was built between 1835 and 1843 by Edward Hussey III, and is a place worthy of a visit for itself alone. However, beyond the mansion lies 780 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland, with ‘Old’ Scotney Castle as its central feature. The old castle was built around 1378 by Roger de Ashburnham and was lived in for 450 years by successive families, the Ashburnhams, the Darells and the Husseys. It was developed over time by each of its inhabitants and by the 1700’s it was a substantial family home. When the new house was built in 1835, Hussey decided to ruin the old castle to create a romantic folly for the garden.

 

Scotney Castle is under guardianship of The National Trust and is situated near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK.