Sophia Whitham

Professional Content Writer

Lifestyle ·

The Romantic Embrace of Scotney Castle

I wouldn’t say that I’m your traditional twenty-something student, I’ve never found night clubs entertaining, can think of nothing worse than drinking myself paralytic on a weekly basis and just don’t seem to fit the party animal stereotype that so often describes my generation. Instead, of an evening, you’ll find me baking with a glass of red in hand or enjoying an early night snuggled in a bed full of pillows. For days out I’m bowled over by beautiful gardens, tearooms and architecture, a sucker for a piece of history it probably comes as no surprise that I often find myself drawn to the beautiful properties now owned by the National Trust or English Heritage, spending hours wrapped up in their romantic embrace.

One of my most frequented National Trust sites is that of Scotney Castle, just a short drive up the A21 from my childhood home. The beautiful ‘old’ Scotney castle lies in semi-ruin amongst the well-established gardens of the grand ‘New’ Scotney House.

The House at Scotney

On entering you first find yourself in the shadow of the 19th Century country house, built in the Tudor Revival Style and designed by the architect Anthony Salvin. The house, until recently, was still lived in by Elizabeth Hussey who upon her death in 2006 left the property to the National Trust. The house was first opened to the public in 2007 with the trust keeping many of the more modern features exactly as Elizabeth Hussey had left them. A lover of cats, the house still has a few feline visitors and a cat bed can still be seen, forever preserved, in the Hussey Kitchen. Amongst the more modern items in the house are many generations worth of possessions and the self-guided tour takes you on a walk back and forwards in time from room to room.

 


Stepping back out into the sunlight, we next headed for one of my favourite parts of the grounds, the Quarry Garden. The garden takes its name from the fact that it is, in fact, the quarry from which the sandstone used to build the house was appropriated. The steeply sided basin was then landscaped and filled with a most magical selection of trees and shrubs, which whether in bloom or not, offer a spectacular array of colours and textures. With a backlash setting in and a move away from the grassy vistas of Capability Brown the gardens at Scotney feel a lot more haphazard, naturally rendered and follow elegant free flowing lines. The flowers come alive in the breeze as bumble bees feverishly collect their nectar, in turn covering themselves in their dusty pollen.

Looking down on the Quarry Garden

 

Descending into the Quarry Garden

 

The Quarry Garden, teaming with life.

As you exit the Quarry Garden a short walk downhill leads you to Scotney Castle itself, lying elegantly in the centre of a gently flowing moat. Shockingly this 14th-century castle was deliberately ruined to create a romantic folly for the gardens of the house and although originally it is believed to have had four turrets, today only one remains. It’s scarred remains currently lie under a tapestry of scaffolding, with essential maintenance necessary to preserve the last pieces of its history.

 

A view over the moat


There really is something for everyone here at Scotney. The grass banks surrounding the moat provide a perfect place to stop for a picnic, look for fish, feed the friendly ducks and geese or take in the spectacular views of the castle. There are acres of space for children to run and play and a specific play area named after the beloved dogs of Arthur Hussey, Badger and Pepper. For the keen walker, explorer and our four-legged friends, there are 780 acres of parkland to roam, still grazed and maintained by Sussex cattle and sheep as it has been for centuries. Even having been several times there is always something new left to see, a secret part of the garden to explore or a different tree to have a picnic beneath.

Have you ever been to Scotney Castle?

Love, Sophia x

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Comments

  1. Steph says

    This castle looks beautiful. It looks like you went out there on a good day as well. I mean, look at that weather!

    I’m with you on defying the stereotypes of our generation! From experience and not just arrogance, I can say that I hate clubbing and alcohol does something funny- something not normal and not fun- to my body. I can’t stand the stuff.

    Steph
    http://www.socialspying.com

    Reply

  3. Ashleigh says

    This is a lovely post, it’s looks beautiful! The pictures look so lovely.

    I also agree with you on the alcohol thing. I’m the type of person that prefers to drink in the comfort of my own home or something similar with a group of friends rather than going out to nightclubs every weekend – it’s just not fun for me!

    Ashleigh | xashleightaylor.wordpress.com

    Reply

  8. Kirsty says

    That looks gorgeous! I love any historical haunts and spending a whole day exploring, even better if there is a tearoom too! Beautiful pictures as well! Xx

    Reply

  9. Lea says

    I used to hate it when my parents, especially my mom would drag us on a day out to see a castle, house, garden etc. and now that I’m in my twenties I find myself suggesting going there too. There are so many nice sights to be seen and this place looks just lie one of these.
    Lea, xx
    asnippetoflife.com

    Reply

  13. Danielle says

    I too have never been someone who loved to go out and party. Even after I turned the legal drinking age, I didn’t feel the urge to go out and get completely trashed. I was different than most around me. I love going exploring more! This is a beautiful castle♥ My goal in life is to travel and see beautiful places such as this castle!

    -Danielle Ruppert // danielleruppert.com

    Reply

  15. Victoria says

    I love going around National Trust and English heritage properties and gardens! So much so, I’m now a NT member! This place looks absolutely beautiful and your photos are stunning! I’m definitely going to have to visit Scotney! Thank you for sharing! X

    Victoria | VictoriaaHelenn

    Reply

    • Sophia says

      Thank you Victoria! I love the NT too, I’ve had a student membership the last few years, but will be renewing it to a full adult one come graduation 😀 xx

      Reply

  17. Style & Life by Susana says

    This looks absolutely AMAZING!! How gorgeous are your photos. I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee castles and have such an interest in the story behind them. What a gorgeous day you had. Love this post!!

    Reply

  24. Tereza says

    This place looks beautiful – a proper fairy tale one! I love visiting British castles – especially those that have gorgeous gardens around them! x

    Reply

  25. Sarah says

    This is beautiful. I have never heard of it so thank you for such a detailed, well written post. Stunning photos too. This could be a guide book.

    Reply

  27. Ivanna says

    This looks great. I love seeing different types of castles. I haven’t been here but it seems like a cool place to visit. I hope to make it to the UK one day though.

    Reply

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