National Trust - Scotney Castle - Tunbridge Wells

Lee P.

Beautiful castle with nice gardens you can walk around. Lots of seating areas outside along with benches to sit on as you walk around. There are public toilets a book shop a souvenir shop and ice cream stall along with lots of parking and knowledgeable staff members in different rooms of the house to answer any questions.

Samantha W.

Beautiful scenery and gardens, lots to see in the castle grounds and the House is amazing. From the house to the castle is a little downhill uphill challenging for those with walking issues but it is worth it! Plenty of seating/benches dotted around if you need a little rest and plenty of seating in the food area. We had a very enjoyable time.

Steven A.

This a beautiful Victorian mansion house with views over an even more beautiful estate that leads down to a ruined medieval castle.
There was a real bounty of flowers at this time of year and the flowers in the walled garden were spectacular.
Nice cafe, shop and second hand bookstore.
Well worth a visit.

Mirela P.

A beautiful and peaceful place to visit! Scotney Castle has stunning views, romantic ruins, and lovely gardens that change with the seasons. The old castle by the lake is magical, and the walks around the estate are relaxing. Great for nature lovers, photographers, and families. Nice tea room and free parking for National Trust members. Highly recommend!

Ana

Scotney Castle is a place of quiet enchantment—where ivy-draped ruins meet serene gardens and woodland paths invite reflection. The estate itself is breathtaking, and for the most part, the people matched its charm.

However, my visit nearly ended at the ticket gate. The staff member there dismissed my request regarding my assistance dog, Shadow, with a flat “no,” offering no clarification or kindness. She didn’t provide a map, and seemed more engaged in chatting to a colleague about staff breaks than listening to me. It felt prejudiced and unwelcoming—especially in a space that should embody care and inclusion.

I would strongly encourage the National Trust to offer better training at the gate—so that all staff understand the importance of listening, responding with empathy, and welcoming assistance dogs without hesitation. First impressions matter, and no visitor should feel judged or dismissed at the threshold of such a beautiful place.

Thankfully, once inside, the experience shifted. Every other staff member I encountered was warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. Shadow was not only welcomed—he was celebrated. He received treats in both the shop and the café, which turned a rocky start into a moment of joy. Their gestures reminded me that sanctuary isn’t just about place—it’s about people.

Scotney Castle itself is a gem, and I’m grateful for the kindness shown by most of the team. With a little more consistency at the gate, the welcome could be as beautiful as the grounds themselves.

Jemma F.

Beautiful and incredibly well maintained gardens. We were lucky that we had free passes from the paper otherwise it would be very pricey.
We used public transport and the bus service is hugely patchy, the access guide will say there are footpaths but there are several quite scary bits of 50mph country road.
It is possible to do it via public transport but you must time everything around the bus. After 1pm the next one was at 5:15pm

Delphine D.

Wonderful National Trust site. The views on the Old Castle are spectacular. Gardens are lovely, the house is beautiful and full of history. The staff is very nice and kind. Thank you for a superb day.

Matthew B.

A really excellent place to visit. The gardens are extensive and somehow very relaxing. We visited over the summer when there was a Summer of Play area for the kids. Perfect for play, picnics and chilling.

The house was almost something out of an Agatha Christie novel. It actually had a very gentle, warm vibe. It was nice to see the drinks selection in the library! You felt it must’ve been a fun house once upon a time. Some of the rooms - particularly the bedrooms - almost felt too personal for comfort. I felt almost like I was snooping round some elderly relative’s house at times. Nonetheless, a very interesting place to visit.