Name: Scotney Castle
Rating: 5.0

Scotney Castle

Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 8JN, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

Description

Scotney Castle Ruined medieval castle. Victorian mansion house. Rolling parkland. Ancient woodland. Picturesque garden. With romance, drama and nature around every corner, Scotney is truly a castle for all seasons.

Discover this fairytale medieval moated castle and Victorian country mansion set within one of the UK's best examples of a Picturesque garden. Explore the well-loved family home, stroll in the walled kitchen garden, and venture onto the 780-acre estate to enjoy open parkland and ancient woodland. Check the Things to See and Do section to find special events at Scotney.

Price starts from £20.90 for Adults, £10.50 for Children(5-17) and £31.40 for Family of four. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Castle: The romantic ruined medieval castle sits on its own moated island and forms the centrepiece of Edward Hussey III's visionary Picturesque garden. The castle opens from 28 April until 17 October 2025. On the upper floor you can see 'islandness' an exhibition by Visual Storyteller Rebecca Douglas.
House: With one of the largest and most eclectic collections in the National Trust the mansion house, built in the mid-19th century by Edward Hussey III, combines the formality of Victorian design with the relaxed sociability of family life.
Garden: Scotney has one of the best examples of a Picturesque-designed garden in the United Kingdom. With a moat, quarry garden, woodland glade, hidden walkways, heather-thatched icehouse, Victorian boathouse, and expansive views across the wider estate, the edges between tamed and wild nature are deliberately blurred.
Estate: Nestled in the Bewl valley, the ancient woods and parkland of Scotney's 780-acre estate are criss-crossed by waymarked routes, one of which leads to the last working hop farm in the National Trust. Much of the estate is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is home to many rare species of flora and fauna.
Second-hand bookshop: Scotney's well-stocked second-hand bookshop by Visitor Entrance is full of pre-loved titles from as little as 50 pence. The regularly-refreshed shelves are crammed with fiction, non-fiction, collectable titles and a children’s corner.
Family friendly: With a moated castle, hidden paths, natural play areas, parkland and woodland to explore, and a packed programme of family activities, there's lots to keep younger visitors happy. There are buggy-friendly paths around the garden, baby and toddler change facilities in the Courtyard, and children's meals available in the tea-room.

Facilities

Parking: To guarantee entry to Scotney Castle you need to book your parking space in advance of your visit via the Scotney homepage or the National Trust app.
Food & Drinks: The Coach House tea-room sells a wide range of snacks, hot and cold lunch items, hot and cold drinks, cakes, biscuits, ice-creams and children's meals.
Toilet: Toilets and changing facilities for babies and toddlers are available by the courtyard tea-room and by the Scotney property office. Accessible toilets are in the courtyard only.

What to see

Islandness- A visual storytelling exhibition: This year's exhibition at Scotney focuses on the work of Kent based visual storyteller, Rebecca Douglas, translating nature's stories into compelling visual narratives through photography, video, drone speaking and writing. 22 Sep - 17 Oct 202522 Sep to 17 Oct 2025 at 11:00 - 16:0011:00 to 16:00 + 25 other dates or times.
A Century of Costume at Scotney Castle: Scotney Castle is proud to present a captivating new exhibition 'A Century of Costume at Scotney Castle' from 1st September to 2nd November on 22 Sep - 2 Nov 202522 Sep to 2 Nov 2025 at 11:00 - 16:3011:00 to 16:30 + 41 other dates or times.

For more details please visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle/events

Website

Contact

Video

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult(18+): £20.90 with Gift Aid & £19.00 without Gift Aid.
Child(5–17): £10.50 with Gift Aid & £9.50 without Gift Aid.
Under 5s: Free:
Family(2 adults + up to 3 children): £52.30 with Gift Aid & £47.50 without Gift Aid.
Family(1 Adult + up to 3 children): £31.40 with Gift Aid & £28.50 without Gift Aid.
Group Adult(18+): £18.05.
Group Child(5–17): £9.03.

Pricing URL: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Monday - Sunday: 10 am–5 pm.

Address: Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 8JN, UK

Post Code: TN3 8JN

Council: Tunbridge Wells

County: Kent

By road: Signposted from A21 at Lamberhurst. Sat Nav: For sat nav please use the postcode TN3 8JN or TN3 8JD. Once on the A21 please follow the brown tourist information signs with the National Trust oak leaf for Scotney Castle. Please note there is no access via Finchcocks, Goudhurst.
By train: Wadhurst 5½ miles.
By bus: The 256 Tunbridge Wells to Wadhurst Autocar service runs via Lamberhurst Monday to Friday.
Cycling: NCN18, 3 miles.
On foot: Links to local footpath network.
Parking: To guarantee entry to Scotney Castle you need to book your parking space in advance of your visit via the Scotney homepage or the National Trust app.