insideKENT Magazine Issue 29 - August 2014 | Page 91

The Oriental Garden is full of vibrant hot colours,
shaded by magnificent Japanese maples with a
very unusual grass fountain at its centre.
The Drunken Garden was a favourite of the writer
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the ver nica, clematis,
o
ceanothus and lilies provide a blue and yellow
theme. Groombridge Place is the setting for the
first part of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's world famous
Sherlock Holmes novel Valley of Fear where
Groombridge Place is renamed Birlstone Manor.
A recreated study at the entrance to the gardens
gives an insight into the life of the author.

The Draughtsman’s Lawn has a white mulberry
tree which was planted in 1993 to mark
Groombridge’s connection with the smuggling
trade.
Out in the forest there are huge tree swings, a
boardwalk and Crusoe’s World featuring an
authentic large wooden ship complete with rope
bridges. There are bird of prey displays every
day, except Monday, and a canal boat linking
the gardens to the forest. Lunches and cream
teas are available from the Peacock Bistro.

The White Rose Room, Scotney Castle

Scotney Castle is owned by the National Trust
and has much to offer with a fascinating country
house and a fairytale 14th-century moated castle
set within a beautiful estate of over 770 acres
comprising mixed woodland, park and meadows.
The original castle, a fortified manor house, was
built by Roger Ashburnham in 1378 – apparently
in response to the threat of invasion by France.
For 350 years Scotney Castle was the home of
the catholic Darell family before being purchased
by Edward Hussey in 1778.
In 1835 his grandson Edward Hussey III moved
back to Scotney and built his new home in the
Elizabethan style on a terrace overlooking the
old castle, which he then incorporated into the
landscape with the assistance of William Sawrey
Gilpin.
Scotney Castle Garden was eventually left to the
National Trust by Edward’s grandson Christopher
on his death in 1970.

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In summer visitors can enjoy the intense blue of
the Hydrangeas followed later in the season by
the rich autumnal foliage of reds and golds.
Visitors can relax in the picturesque garden with
the glorious backdrop of a fairytale castle before
discovering the delights of the Victorian country
mansion with its secrets and stories.
Enjoy a delicious meal in the tearoom or bring
your own food along to eat in the picnic area.
Enjoy family trails inside the house and daily
activities in the discovery room. The estate is
open all year, offering a variety of walks through
beautiful parkland, woodland and the working
hop farm.
Upcoming Event: Tickets are available for
outdoor theatre events at Scotney Castle in
August including Peter Pan on 28 August (6
to 8.30pm) and Shakespeare's The Tempest
on 29 August (7 to 10pm).