It’s a Sunday evening and the usual stuff is on television. Yet another Deal or No Deal, Britain’s Got Talent and Countryfile. Why not do something different? writes LASER PRO, Andy Wyman.
In the middle of Kent is a fabulous venue, Scotney Castle Gardens, and BN have booked it exclusively from 5.30pm on June 9th. If you’re riding the Brighton World Naked Bike Ride that day it’s only an hour away so you could make it a complete Naturist day.
So what is special about Scotney Castle Gardens? Where do I start? First of all it’s a place steeped in history with the origins going back to 1137. The main castle was built in the 14th century for defence reasons with Britain a little jittery about a French invasion. Much of the castle was deliberately dismantled in 1843 when a new manor house was built nearby. The dismantling wasn’t vandalism but an attempt to create a romantic picturesque scene. With the moat and it’s remaining architectural features it’s a photographers dream.
Apart from the views of the castle, the gardens are the star attraction. There’s a one-acre walled garden, roses, herbaceous borders, azaleas, rare green winged orchids and countless other exotic plants. In the grounds there is an old ice house - fridges weren’t too common in the 1500s!! You can also see a Victorian boat house. Make sure you take your camera up to the ‘new’ house to see the splendid views of the old castle down below.
The whole estate covers 780 acres of rolling parkland with much of it as woodland and including giant sequoia trees. For dog owners you are more than welcome with your pooch on a lead.
Scotney Castle Gardens is classified as a site of Special Scientific Interest. There is a herd of Longhorn and Sussex cattle as well as the National Trust’s only working hop farm.
It’s a lot to pack into an evening but well worth the effort. You can even order a picnic!
Find all the details including costs here
Image: Sskips