• LanguagesLanguages
  • Increase text size Reset text size Decrease text size
  • Listen to pageListen to page

Contacts

Heritage Conservation Group
Invicta House
County Hall
Maidstone
ME14 1XX

Telephone icon01622 221541

fax: 01622 221636

email iconheritageconservation @kent.gov.uk

Exploring Kent's Past

Link to printer-friendly page

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

HER Number:TQ 63 NE 1
Type of record:Listed Building
Name:Scotney Castle

Summary

Remains of castle dating to 1377 and reduced to ruins c 1840; ruins of a 17th century house attached. Scotney Castle was situated on an island in a lake-like moat which was separated from the River Bewl to the south by a narrow embankment. Entrance to it was from the north by a drawbridge first to another island and then by a defended bridge connecting the two islands.The castle is similar in form to Bodium Castle - a fortified house surrounded by a large moat. The old castle itself was pulled down in the Elizabethan period and an Elizabethan House was built on the site. This again has fallen into ruins, except for a small fragment which is lived in by the bailiff. Single surviving Medieval round tower has an Elizabethan dwelling house built onto it. Much of this is roofed and furnished, but it is not occupied. Adjoining it is a completely roofless ruined area, maintained as a sort of garden feature. Base of stone curtain and trace of towers also survive but part of the circuit has a later brick wall built on top of it.

Images

Scotney Castle © Ian GilesScotney Castle © Ian GilesScotney Castle © Ian GilesScotney Castle © Ian GilesScotney Castle © Ian GilesScotney Castle © Ian GilesScotney Castle © iangilesphotos.co.ukScontye Castle © Ian GilesScotney Castle © Ian Giles
Grid Reference:TQ 6895 3525
Map Sheet:TQ63NE
Parish:LAMBERHURST, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT

Monument Types

  • HOUSE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • MOAT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • QUADRANGULAR CASTLE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • HOUSE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • HOUSE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
Protected Status:Register of Scheduled Monuments (EH national number) 24400: Title not entered; Listed Building (I) NAR

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

The full description is only available if you have registered and logged in to Exploring Kent's Past!

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
<1>Unpublished document: OS Card / NAR index entry. OS 6" 1961
<2>Unpublished document: OS Card / NAR index entry. Castles of Eng 1 1897 85-8 (plan) (JD Mackenzie)
<3>Unpublished document: OS Card / NAR index entry. Arch Cant 17 1887 38-48 (plan illust) (E Hussey)
<4>Unpublished document: OS Card / NAR index entry. Country Life 6-SEP-1956 470 illus (C Hussey)
<5>Unpublished document: OS Card / NAR index entry. AM Eng and Wales 1958 46
<6>Unpublished document: OS Card / NAR index entry. F1 ASP 29-JAN-63
<7>Unpublished document: OS Card / NAR index entry. F2 ASP 22-OCT-69
<8>Unpublished document: OS Card / NAR index entry. DOE(IAM) Record Form 1986
<9>Unpublished document: OS Card / NAR index entry. DOE(IAM) SAMS 1988 Kent 25
<10>Unpublished document: OS Card / NAR index entry. Builds of Eng W Kent and the Weald 1980 506-508 (J Newman)
<11>Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 63 NE 1 - January, 1963.
<12>Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 63 NE 1 - October, 1969.
<13>Unpublished document: OS Card / NAR index entry. DNH List 10-Oct-1989
<14>Unpublished document: Archaeology South-East. 2008. An Archaeological Watching Brief on the Moat Bank at Old Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst, Kent.

Related records

TQ 63 NE 10 Parent of: Scotney Castle estate (Landscape)

Related thematic articles