Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst
Scotney Castle has got it covered for that quintessential family outing. Steeped in history and all contained within a beautiful wooded estate, with over 770 acres for you to explore, plus those four-legged friends of yours too.
THE LOWDOWN
You name it, Scotney Castle has got it covered for that quintessential English outing. Country house to delve into, tick. Romantic garden to stroll around. Tick. 14th century moated castle to ignite the kids’ imagination. Tick. And all contained within a beautiful wooded estate, with over 770 acres to explore, and it’s open 363 days of the year so you can keep coming back.
Scotney Castle is steeped in centuries of history with the earliest record of occupancy dating from 1137 but from 1778, it was the Hussey family who were in residence until it was left to the National Trust in 1970.
There is plenty of quirky facts and finds for you, and your team, to unearth such as a secret door in the library made to look like a bookcase, hidden priest holes in the Old Castle, footprints of an Iguanadon… and did you know that Margaret Thatcher had an apartment here during her time in office?
YOUR VISIT
You could also just take time-out and relax in its picturesque garden with the glorious backdrop of the fairytale castle behind you. Bring lunch along to eat in the woodland picnic area, weather allowing. But no matter the weather, little legs can let off steam in the natural play area in the garden and wilderness camp on the estate.
And for those who find picnics a bit of a faff, then there is a lovely converted coach house tea-room where you can munch on a seasonal treat, baked on the premises. No National Trust visit is complete without a visit to the gift shop and there’s lots of tasty local produce here, including bitter made from hops grown at Little Scotney Farm.
THINGS TO DO
With fun trails (like Easter egg trails in spring) hosted every half term, outdoor theatre evenings in the summer as well as festive events, guided walks, photography workshops, and much more to engage you and your brood.
Plus there’s the Badger and Pepper playground with swings, a natural drum kit, a mud kitchen and a play house to hide in. If there is a four-legged friend in your family too, then they are also very welcome to roam the estate and garden (on a lead). Although the house is just for humans, there are plenty of walks in the parkland for you to enjoy with your canine companion.
At a glance
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Address:
Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 8JB
Website:
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle
Email:
scotneycastle@nationaltrust.org.uk
Telephone:
01892 893820
Opening hours
Monday: 10am - 5pm
Tuesday: 10am - 5pm
Wednesday: 10am - 5pm
Thursday: 10am - 5pm
Friday: 10am - 5pm
Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 5pm
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