Scotney Castle and gardens, Lamberhurst Kent,
By drc726
24 comments
Yesterday we went to Romantic Scotney Castle and gardens, Lamberhurst Kent, which has 2 houses, the one at the top of the hill was built in 1837 and the other is the ruins of a medieval Castle surrounded by a moat at the bottom of the valley. Which together now make the focal point of these famous gardens. Dogs are welcome on the estate (not in the garden). Open all year round the various estate walks go through parkland, woodland and farmland and have spectacular views across the Kent country side and delightful little stone bridges; there is even an ice house if you can find it!
It is owned by the National trust and a lot has changed here since my first visit over 25 ago. The top house is now open to the public as the private residents have all gone, though some staff live there now. Mrs Thatcher had an apartment there for many years. There is now a big shop, cafe and plant sales area. Several areas for children and study. A lovely quarry garden which is a very steep climb. Their latest project is a huge walled garden which will be completed in 2014.
After the ‘Spring walk’, May and June are the time to see the Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Kalmia, and in autumn the wonderful colours, but I have always loved it in high summer too as their perennials and shrubs really have the room to grow.
The area, now called the West Glade, had for years been called the tall trees area, but that was decimated in the 1987 hurricane, when 90 trees were blown down at Scotney in one night. We local villagers were heart broken at the time, but nature is wonderful how it can heal itself.
Medievil Castle
Second house built in 1837 in the Elizabethan style and where Mrs Thatcher had an apartment.
Coach house
Quarry Garden
I call this the Geranium walk!
28 Jul, 2011
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Comments
Glad you liked it Paul. I loved the ferns - on that scale they do look good.
28 Jul, 2011
Thank you Drc, smashing blog. I loved the Geranium 'hedge' and those borders among the ruins . . wow. :-)
28 Jul, 2011
Thanks Muddywalter.
28 Jul, 2011
what a lovely place, thank you!
i like the ruins and most of all the moat.
28 Jul, 2011
Beautiful pics! I love the old ruins too! :)
28 Jul, 2011
Lovely photos.
28 Jul, 2011
beautifull place to visit Denise, glad you enjoyed it, lovely pics to :o)
28 Jul, 2011
Thanks everyone
28 Jul, 2011
Havent got to this one Drc, but its on my list now! What a wonderful spot, lucky you to live so close.
Great blog, leaves me wishing for more, so I know I must visit! Thank you.
29 Jul, 2011
There are quite a few around me and I love them, pity it got so expensive?
30 Jul, 2011
We have been to Penshurst, and Hever, but not Sissinghurst or Scotney.
30 Jul, 2011
Sissinghurst is so crowded we gave up on it. Groombridge place near Tunbridge wells and Wakehurst place Ardingly are 2 lovely ones and Of course Bodium Castle for a romantic English Castle
30 Jul, 2011
Tetra, you really MUST get to Sissinghurst - a magical, inspirational place. I holidayed on the Kent coast for a few years in the 90's and visited Sissinghurst and Great Dixter each time as day trips. They took my breath away and gave me many ideas (and I'll admit it . . . plant souvenirs!) for my own garden. :-))
30 Jul, 2011
I agree with MW in the 90's it was lovely, but the queues now a days are unbelieveable not just to get in but everywhere. The last time we went the queue was over 3 hours just to get in and when we did you could not move and that was a quiet week day or so they told us!
30 Jul, 2011
OMG! Drc I have just found this article - what a shame. :-(
http://www.gardenvisit.com/blog/2009/07/17/please-do-not-visit-sissinghurst-castle-garden/
30 Jul, 2011
If I win the lottery, I will buy it and only invite GoYers to visit (free of course - cake donations welcome!). (I do like cake!!). ;-))
30 Jul, 2011
Sorry to shatter your memories MW but since the present lot took over its been about cramming them in and making you join several queues for the privilege and thats beofre you get in! Sadly they are also trying to change it and the National Trust appears to be slowly caving in? - changing to vegetables!!! Sadly I think its more about promoting SR's business then retaining it as it was.
30 Jul, 2011
Oh No!! Surely they wont change it..Vita Sackville-West would be furious Im sure. Dont get me wrong..love a well tended kitchen garden..but not her borders and roses..groan, groan..Ive only ever seen pictures...
30 Jul, 2011
Yes they had lots of arguments with the NT who have caved in.
30 Jul, 2011
Thats disgusting! I realise gardens must evolve..but thats total reinvention!
30 Jul, 2011
Its certainly caused a lot of controversy and of course the visitors want to see the flower gardens as originally planted! Imagine taking over the hot house in Kew and growing winter veg?
31 Jul, 2011
Bet Alan T would have a fit! Not sure he would approve of Sissinghurst either..am I right in thinking he gave voice to his "two penneth"?
31 Jul, 2011
Probably Tetrarch.
31 Jul, 2011
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What a wonderful place! Love the photos - those ferns are so nice - as is all the scenery you pictured :))))))))
28 Jul, 2011