Scotney Castle

One of my greatest loves in life is the National Trust. I have been a member for a few years now and its the best membership in town. I know I'm not their standard demographic of someone who is retired or someone who has young children but details schmeetails I love it nonetheless.

Living where I do, I'm lucky to have a number of National Trust places nearby but my favourite is Scotney Castle (Mr Poachie likes to remind me each time that it is not in fact a castle, why are men so pedantic?).

These pictures are a mixture from last Spring and Autumn; it is really gorgeous all year round.

I have done the estate walk which is nice but generally I prefer to walk around the gardens. Scotney also has a main house and a walled garden.

Throughout the year they do regular events such as Walled Garden Wednesdays where you can learn rose pruning or about growing pumpkins for example. Last year Mr Poachie and I joined the hop garden walking tour, complete with a visit to the working oasthouse and beer tasting. My favourite events are the outdoor theatre productions, like A Midsummer Night's Dream.

I think this just so romantic; the moat and the lily pads. If I lived here I would have a rowing boat and insist Mr Poachie recites poetry to me whilst we laze away our afternoons.

Visiting the NT has been one of the things I have missed the most since lockdown; its where I would usually be on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I have seen recently that they are looking to reopen some of their sites soon and I can't wait.

The other thing I am looking forward to is visiting the main house at Christmas when it's decorated in Victorian festive splendour; NOT that I want to wish the summer away.

Where have you been?