Scotney Castle

Today Charlie Fox takes you on a cultural tour of Scotney Castle.

Anyone visiting this gaff might think that they were going to view a bunch of old ruins ...... far from it.

Visitors are treated to a country house with stunning gardens and it's very own teeny tiny castle ...... but more than this, as you walk around the main house even a tiny fox would realise that this is a home still full of love.

Reading an interesting display board about wood chip
recycling whilst my driver pops to the lav!

Here I am on the first leg of my tour, walking down
the valley to the original Scotney Castle.

Stunning country views plus soggy sheep!

The romantic ruins of a medieval castle.

The moat was originally built as a defence against the frogs ...
which initially I didn't understand due to the fact that
frogs can swim ..... later in the day I learnt that 'frog' was a
derogatory term for French people ...... a bit rude IMO!

Beautiful little castle .....
I'll show you around the gardens!

Wonder what's the other side of that window?

Ah ..... it was the moat ..... just about managed
to clamber back to safety before I fell in the drink!

Would have sat down here but it looks like
there is a problem with the medieval plumbing!

This is better ..... Fox sized bench under a dry arch!

Well that's answered a life long question ......
How much poopie plops can one Goose produce?

Heaps ............
You think he would have a bit of a clear up!

On with the tour!

Spooky bit !

Boat house ..... sadly padlocked ....
fancied a whiz around the moat too!

Henry Moore sculpture ........

I think it's a woman but I can't really
 be sure ..... I'm finding it a bit 'avant garde' 

Looks like Autumn could be just around the corner!

Beautiful colours.

WOW .... massive!

The Quarry Garden ..... sandstone from it was used to make the
big house which then left a big hole in the ground .....
turned in to a garden ...... great idea!

The big house!

Flowers the size of your head growing on the big house walls!

Although Scotney Castle has been on the National Trust visitors list for many years, the big house wasn't open to the public until 2007.  In 2006 the owner Mrs Betty Hussey sadly died at the grand age of 99, bequeathing the house to the Trust.  One of her stipulations was that the trust keep the house just as it was when she died, the other that they should look after her beloved cat 'Puss Puss'.  Puss Puss spends most of his time in the kitchen, but regains control of the house once the public have gone home.

In later years Mrs Hussey moved from the main bedroom to a smaller one which provided views down to the castle.  Even at 99 years of age Mrs Hussey walked down the hill to the little castle every day.  She always said that she didn't want to live to one hundred.

One of the many 'cat based' artworks
that adorn the house.

Before I show you the green house, here's a few mini pics of the inside of the house, it's very cosy:

Come on then! ..... are you coming or what?

Tomato and grapes vines in the big green house!

These are much bigger than mine!

The kitchen garden now only grows a few
vegetables and some flowers.

Bought a nice plant for 50p from the gardeners trolley!

And finally, I usually show you a photo of me in the tea shop.  As a change I thought I would show you a photo of me larking about in front of one of the fab 'olden day life' pictures on display in the tea shop!

Naughty boys!