Monday 6 May 2013

Scotney Castle


Scotney Castle , Lamberhurst, Kent was built in the late 14th cent. Originally constructed to protect Roger de Ashburnham from the French who were invading the Sussex coast, the castle was built on two islands in the River Bewl. It had four towers but only one now remains giving the appearance of a fairy tale castle.




The tower is connected to an Elizabethan Manor built by Thomas Darrell in the late 16th cent. He had most of the medieval castle pulled down but when he built the new house  he attached it to the surviving tower.

It is a beautiful place to walk around as the large moat reflects the old stone buildings and the gardens.





  




Old stone steps leading to the tower.








Remains of the Elizabethan manor house.

























In 1778 the Hussey family bought Scotney from the Durrells and around 1830 built a Victorian mansion at the top of the hill. In my next post I will take you with me up the steps and through the gardens to the house at the top of the hill.




Sharing with 'Our World Tuesday'

27 comments:

  1. What a wonderfully romantic place to ramble around in, and/or draw/paint.
    Adorable 'Rapunzel' tower and gardens surrounded by flowing water. Lovely.

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  2. Amazing. You are giving me all sorts of ideas of places to visit when we travel in your direction next time :). Love this!

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  3. What a wonderful old piece of history. Love that tower and the moat. I can just imagine the ladies in their long period dresses. It really must be a wonderful place to visit. If only the remains could talk and tell us the stories of their time. I can play make believe and just imagine. The picture of the tower beside the moat is beautiful, but the next to the last shot with the trees and the water is gorgeous and my favorite. NO....I was not at the race. I used to go and watch, but now I just stay at home. genie

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  4. It is a beautiful castle, the moat is cool. I would love to see this in person! Your photos will have to do, thanks for sharing your visit. Have a happy week!

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  5. What a beautiful place, certainly some great places in the UK

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  6. places like this always gives me mixed feelings. Maybe because I can see how it was in it´s glory.

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  7. It looks full of mystery and heart wrenchingly beautiful even in decay. If only its stone walls could speak what tales they would tell.

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  8. Beautiful site!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  9. What a pretty castle .... I love your photos of the old stone steps ..... like a story-book pic!

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  10. I Google +'d this! Great post.

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  11. Lovely article! these broken walls tell much!

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  12. Fascinating look at this castle. I enjoyed your photography and words.

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  13. wow, such a beautiful place, the river is adding on to its beauty....

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  14. a pity this castle wasn't rebuilt to its former glory. your photos are fantastic. i love your shots of the tower and the steps leading to an old door...so romantic.:p

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  15. Lovely castle and grounds. You got some terrific reflections in the moat!

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  16. Wow, very cool! Your first couple of photos are great! Thanks for sharing your pictures and story about this place.

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  17. Gorgeous pictures of these ruins!

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  18. I do miss places like this - but not as much as I miss The Lakes - lived there for the best part of five years.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  19. Beautiful shots of the castle. I love that tower.

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  20. You have so many beautiful castles in your country with intersting history.

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  21. Beautiful photos! The reflections are gorgeous.

    Happy Tuesday. ☺

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  22. Stunning shots! I especially love the one of the stone steps leading up to the tower!

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  23. I just love these old castles and there are so many along this coast !

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  24. I never visited that part of England- but it does look tempting!

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  25. Love this castle, and your capture with the reflection in the water is stunning!! Too bad the other 3 towers are gone:(

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