The garden and estate at Scotney Castle

Summer in the garden

The frenzied blossoming and blooming of spring gives way to a slower pace in the garden over summer, with roses carelessly scrambling across the walls of the Old Castle and a multitude of waterlilies sunning themselves on the moat. The view from the main garden to the Old Castle is punctuated by waves of exquisite pink kalmia flowers. But it's the trees that take centre stage along the network of paths around the garden: the red-leaved acers, the tulip trees with their yellow, tulip-shaped flowers and cat-faced leaves, and the majestic towering redwoods. Another Scotney show-stopper, Eucryphia x nymansensis ‘Nymansay’ , just below the quarry crossroads is covered with white blooms in the latter part of the summer. Originating from Nymans in West Sussex, this variety was grown in the 1900s by the Messel family. It likes acid soil, making it a natural companion for the kalmias and rhododendrons we have in the garden.

The grassy banks around the mansion house and the ‘old tennis court’ beyond the wall are left as unmown meadows until the end of August. This deliberate conservation management technique allows the rare green-winged orchids that bloom here in spring to set their seed. The uncut banks come alive with wildflowers, grasses and pollinating insects over the summer, further increasing the biodiversity of Scotney's SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) garden and estate.

The herbaceous border by the old castle is a riot of lilacs, purples and oranges; look out for colourful dahlias, echinacea, achillea, asters, salvias and bee-covered nepeta. With roses and wisteria bedecking the ancient stonework of the castle, this really is a beautiful place to sit and savour the scene. In autumn the herb beds around the 12th-century Venetian wellhead will be re-cut and planted with herbs, and three new circular beds will be re-instated using archive photographs from 1900. The inner courtyard of the ruins is also currently being prepared for a new, sub-tropical planting.

Slightly tucked away, the West Glade can often be missed by visitors but, with its waterways, islands, shady paths and towering redwoods, it is a delightful place to walk and sit. Look out for the pretty white flowers of the Cornus kousa tree, the ‘Wild Edric’ rose bed, and the vast stalks and leaves of the prehistoric-looking Gunnera .

In the Walled Garden are wigwams of sweetpeas and swathes of sunflowers, as well as fruit, vegetables and herbs that the garden team are busy gowing and harvesting for use in the tea-room kitchen. The meandering paths in the Quarry Garden provides some shady escape for hot days, or why not rest awhile on one of the benches on the moat walk and soak up the peaceful scene before you?

If you'd like to learn more about the history and design of the garden at Scotney you can join a free guided garden walk. Details available here: Events at Scotney Castle (nationaltrust.org.uk)

780 acres of estate to explore

The Scotney Castle estate has a long and varied history and the ancient parkland and Wealden woodlands surrounding the house and garden are criss-crossed by waymarked routes, offering fantastic views of the castle, garden and house.

Grade I listed, the parkland is full of magnificent veteran trees inlcuding what is believed to be the oldest hornbeam tree in the country, showing its association with a formal dwelling for over 1,000 years. The woodlands are characteristic of the Wealden landscape and cover 300 acres of the estate; they boast connections with wood-pasture, charcoal production, iron working and the once-lucrative hop industry.

Scotney is the only National Trust property to have a working hop farm and the tenant farmer at Little Scotney Farm still grows, picks and dries hops which are then used by a local brewery to make craft beers, some of which you can buy in the Scotney shop.

The native-breed Sussex cattle have been a proud feature of the landscape since Victorian times. Our archives show handwriten records of the first herd of Sussex cattle being acquired in 1896. Click the button below to read how we have reintroduced cattle to the estate for conservation grazing.

Discover more with a guided estate walk

Between March and early November you can join one of our estate guides on a tour around the estate to see seasonal flora and fauna and learn about the history of Scotney.

These guided estate walks are scheduled to run seven days a week, twice a day at 11.30am and 2pm and last around 90 minute. They are led by our volunteer guides and occasionally we do have to cancel a walk due to absence. This can sometimes be at short notice. If you are planning to visit Scotney specifically for the guided estate walk we suggest you call us on 01892 893820 before you set off on the day to confirm.

Family-friendly fun

Much of the garden has accessible all-weather paths and, with 780 acres of wider estate, there's lots of space for little legs to run, cllmb, explore and let off steam. Look out for the giant tree swing by the new orchard.

For den-making and wild play head to Colliers Wood or, for younger children, the Badger and Pepper play area has musical instruments, a toddler swing, play hut, ball chute and mud kitchen.

There are buggy-accessible toilets and changing facilities in the Courtyard and children's lunch boxes are available in the tea-room.

See how many of your '50 things' you can tick off, or check the Scotney What's On boards or web pages to find details of additional events and activities for families and children.

Picnics

Picnic blankets are welcome in the garden, however chairs and tables can only be used on the wider estate. If you enjoy a picnic on the estate please be aware livestock may be present. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and please take all your litter home with you. (There are rubbish bins in the tea-room courtyard if you need them.)