September Gardens IV - Scotney Castle

The moated manor house at Scotney draw visitors from all over the world

What better garden to visit, than the grounds of a romantic castle on a glorious September day? Scotney Castle in Kent is spectacular at any time of year, because of the undulating terrain that divides the main house from the medieval moated ruin at the bottom of the valley. Particularly memorable in spring time when the rhododendrons and azaleas make a sea of colour, but just as eye-catching at any other time of year and now, as the leaves are beginning to change colour, a joyous place to walk and enjoy the views down into the Bewl Valley.

The manor was disassembled by former owner Edward Hussey for effect!

The moated house (above) proved to be too damp to live in, so in 1836, Scotney's owners invited William Sawrey Gilpin, nephew of Picturesque-style creator, William Gilpin, to their home, and work began on the new house up the hill, which is open to the public today. But it's the medieval property in the valley that causes visitors to gasp as they see it reflected in the circular moat, even though the walls were removed for effect by former owner Edward Hussey, who wanted a romantic landscape to reflect on from his new castle at the top of the hill.

Part of Scotney's charm is the woodland walks ...

The grounds at Scotney comprise many acres of woodland, which suffered badly in the great storm of 1987, resulting in a complete replanting by the National Trust in the last 30 years. The results are impressive given the extensive use of rhododendrons and azalea, which make a colourful and sweeping landscape and allow glimpses of the moated manor below to maximum effect as you wander down the valley. Both spring and summer seasons offer spectacular colour displays!

Circular beds in the grounds of the moated medieval castle

Christopher Hussey, well-known art historian and grandson of Edward Hussey III, who built the new house on the site, using stone from the quarry, resided here for nearly 20 years with his wife Betty, during the 20th century, and left the property to the National Trust on his death in 1970. This was in keeping with his family motto: "Vix ea nostra voco", meaning "I scarcely call these things our own". 

Glorious autumn colours add to Scotney's charm at this time of year

Today, the Scotney estate offers visitors the chance to view the house at the top of the hill, with its magnificent views over the surrounding countryside; the chance to walk  in undulating countryside; and an opportunity to explore the quarry, which has been turned into a garden and the moated medieval manor, with its herb garden. It would be hard to find a more romantic setting than this, especially early in the morning, when the mists rise off the water!

The new house, built by Edward Hussey III

Scotney is open Wednesday to Sunday until the end of October and continues to open at weekends until the middle of December. It re-opens again in February, in anticipation of the abundant snowdrops. The whole estate extends to nearly 800 acres, and offers wonderful winter walks. It is also close to Sissinghurst if you want to visit another romantic castle garden with an interesting history.