‘It’s an extraordinary place, rich in heritage and deeply valued by its local community’
Scotney Castle is a true sight to behold as the seasons change(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto/TerryJLawrence)
A historic castle in Kent has been awarded nearly £300,000 to support the restoration of its grade II-listed walled garden and 19th century vine house. Located near Tunbridge Wells, Scotney Castle will receive the funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of its ‘Reconnecting Scotney’ project, aimed at preserving one of Kent’s most beautiful and popular visitor attractions.
The ambitious project, led by The National Trust which runs the castle, seeks to restore heritage, improve access and recreate parts of the picturesque vision which have been lost. All planned work aims to create an “inclusive, welcoming environment” with opportunities for community engagement.
It has been awarded development funding of £281,567 by the Heritage Fund to help progress the National Trust’s plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant of £3,259,882 at a later date. Plans include restoring the historic vine house in the walled garden, reinstating the surrounding orchard with historic species, building a new visitor hub next to the car park, and creating a new play area beside an additional café.
Dr Jerzy J. Kierkuc-Bielinski, National Trust cultural heritage curator for London and the South East, said: “The picturesque landscape at Scotney can be seen as one of the final developments of English landscape garden design – an approach to designing a garden that is considered to be one of the greatest British contributions to the visual arts. Each element of the picturesque landscape at Scotney was considered important and the whole was intended to be enjoyed as a ‘total work of art’.
“By restoring the walled garden and vine house, by reinstating the orchard, we are restoring the original picturesque vision of this nationally significant garden.” Based on historic plans, the areas by the walled garden will be re-planted with an orchard designed to use the latest sustainable techniques to ensure climate resilience.
This Kent landmark looks as though its been plucked straight from the pages of a classic storybook(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto/S. Greg Panosian)
The removal of the current car park will remove cars from the heart of the offer, creating a “safer and more appealing environment” for visitors to wander and relax. As part of the wider plans for Scotney, a new year-round car park will be created, with work due to start this spring.
This will replace the current overflow car park at Scotney, providing an improved visitor arrival point and an inspiring first impression of the picturesque landscape. It will provide increased capacity, as well as an improved parking experience for visitors.
There will be some disruption when the car park is built. An additional café will be created in the current office building together with conservation work to the barn providing new spaces to gather. Retail and the existing café facilities will be retained within the courtyard.
Stunning Scotney Castle near Tunbridge Wells in a snow blizzard(Image: @anitemexplores)
Stuart McLeod, director of England – London and South – at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Scotney Castle is an extraordinary place, rich in heritage and deeply valued by its local community. We’re delighted to offer our initial support to the National Trust as they take the first steps in this ambitious project to restore the historic walled garden and vine house and to reconnect people with the landscape that makes Scotney so special.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, this essential work will help ensure the site’s stories, beauty and biodiversity can be enjoyed by many more people for generations to come. We look forward to working with the team to develop their plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant at a later date.”
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