02/06/2026
Moving postcards from Scotney Castle🏰
I’ve had this place bookmarked for years, and when I finally got to visit, even a bit of rain didn’t spoil my time here. You can see the fairytale ruined moated castle and visit an intact Victorian country house, surrounded by 780 acres of stunning estate woodland - perfect for a day trip from London.
Some interesting facts:
The Ruined Old Castle: Built in 1378 as a fortified manor house, its striking remains, including a large, intact round tower, sit on an island in the middle of a lake-like moat.
In the 1830s, the Hussey family built a “New” Scotney Castle on the hill above, and deliberately chose to partially demolish and leave the old castle as a romantic, ivy-covered ruin.
The Gardens are renowned for colourful rhododendrons, azaleas, and a unique quarry garden carved out of the sandstone used to build the newer house.
The Victorian Mansion was preserved exactly as it was when the Hussey family lived here, complete with period furniture and all the little everyday details.
Margaret Thatcher lived in the “Belfry” apartment on the grounds of Scotney Castle during the 1970s and 1980s.
