So far, I have just shown pictures of cities in my blog, bigger, smaller; just cities. Yes, you're right, I also dedicated a post to the green part of Britain just some days ago. However, it's time to see something I'm incredibly fond of: castles! Who doesn't like castles? Who doesn't like to feel how was like to live in a castle? Who doesn't want to spend a night in a castle? I do!
Scotney Castle is not the only castle I've visited in England in the last years, but it is the first (and not last!) that I've visited since September. The castle is located in Kent (Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 8JN) in South-East England. It belongs to the National Trust, an organisation that aims at mantaining gardens, houses and castles throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It basically means that you pay money for visiting these places. But, seeing what I've seen so far it is worthy. If any of you have the opportunity, don't hesitate and try one of their gardens or houses, this organisation really does a good job in all their properties.
And, you can start with Scotney castle! This place does not only have a castle, it has a Victorian country house and its romantic gardens and the castle in itself, you can visit all of them. When I visited this place (autumn half-term) there were two exhibitions about the Great War that I will detail below. Well, and it was Halloween as you will see!
Exhibitions or not, pumpkins or not, Scotney Castle is a place I really recomend to see in Kent. Let's enjoy its romantic castle and gardens!
VICTORIAN COUNTRY HOUSE
This impressive house belonged to the Hussey family for generations. Its last owner, Betty, lived in the house until 2006. For that reason, there are many modern objects inside the house, even though it hasn't lost its Victorian style.
As a curiosity, this old lady loved cats, and had (and still does!) a cat named Puss-Puss that is still living in the house (it was a pity I couldn't see it)
Arthur's War (From 9th October 2014) is an exhibition of Arthur Hussey's letters and diaries from the Great War, as well as a clear and detailed display of the war, chronology and more information. It is a good exhibition for those like me who forgot History lessons from their school years!
THE GARDENS
14TH CENTURY CASTLE
This pintoresque castle is unfurnished, but keeps its old structure and old materials, what makes you clearly see how old it is. As I explained in the introduction of the post, when I visited the castle there were two exhibitions about the Great War, one in the house and another in the castle. The one in the castle was an abstract representation of feelings and emotions towards the war. I took some pictures of some of the elements of the exhibition (the ones I understood, to be honest!) that you can see above.
I don't know if you can appreciate it, but the castles is semi destroyed on its left side. Surprisingly, it was destroyed by its owners in purpose to give it a 'romantic' atmosphere.
Exhibition
(you're all free to interpret the images and the objects as you want!)
