Earlier Houses: The 14th century Grade I-listed partially ruined Old Scotney Castle was replaced as the family's home by the current Victorian house in the 1840s.

House & Family History: Scotney Castle is a Victorian house that was home to the Hussey family, as was its medieval predecessor. The noted architectural historian Christopher Hussey (he was editor of "Country Life" magazine) inherited the Estate in 1952; in 1970 he bequeathed Scotney Castle to the National Trust; however, the Victorian house remained closed to the public until the death of Hussey's widow, Betty, in 2006. The Hussey family lived in the old castle until they built the new house on the hill in the 1840s; after the new house was built the family deliberately ruined the 14th century castle so that the view from the new house would be more romantic and picturesque. During World War II a school was evacuated to Scotney.

Garden & Outbuildings: The garden at Scotney is considered of England's most romantic and is noted for its rhododendrons and azaleas.

John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. I, p. 122, 1852.

Country Life: XLVIII, 12, 1920. CXX, 470 plan, 526, 1956.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Grade I

Past Seat / Home of: Christopher Hussey, 20th century.

Current Ownership Type: The National Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Mixed Use

Ownership Details: The Gardens and some of the ground floor rooms of the Victorian house are open to the public. A wing of the Castle has been divided into flats.

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01892-891-081

Fax: 01892-890-110

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Awards: Listed as one of the "Seven Wonders of the Weald."

Historic Houses Member: No