Top 7 Castles around Staplehurst
Best castles around Staplehurst are found in the Kent countryside, offering a blend of historical significance and natural beauty. The region features diverse landscapes, from rolling hills to river valleys, providing a scenic backdrop for exploring ancient fortifications. Visitors can discover a range of historical sites, from grand fortresses to medieval ruins and renowned gardens built around historic structures. This area provides opportunities to explore centuries of history within a compact geographical space.
Best castles around Staplehurst
- The most popular castles is Scotney Castle and Gardens, a historical site with a lake and garden. Its central feature is the ruins of a medieval, moated manor house on an island within a small lake, surrounded by sloping, wooded gardens.
- Another must-see spot is Sissinghurst Castle Garden, a world-famous garden created around the ruins and structures of a medieval manor. This site is known for its "garden rooms," each with a distinct design, and offers panoramic views from the Tower.
- Visitors also love Leeds Castle, a castle with a lake and historical significance. This grandiose fortress has a rich history, having been a Norman stronghold and a palace for English royalty, and features extensive grounds with horticultural displays and a maze.
- Staplehurst is known for its grand fortresses, moated manor houses, and ruined Norman keeps. The area offers a variety of castles to see and explore, from meticulously maintained gardens to ancient ruins.
- The castles around Staplehurst are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 60 upvotes and over 100 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 11, 2026
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
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Scotney Castle and Gardens
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The gardens, which are a celebrated example of the Picturesque style, are open to the public. The central feature is the ruins of a medieval, moated manor house, Scotney Old Castle, which is on an island on a small lake. The lake is surrounded by sloping, wooded gardens with fine collections of rhododendrons, azaleas and kalmia for spring colour, summer wisteria and roses, and spectacular autumn colour.
At the top of the garden stands a house which was built to replace the Old Castle between 1835 and 1843. This is known as Scotney New Castle, or simply Scotney Castle, and was designed by Anthony Salvin. It is an early, and unusually restrained, example of Tudor Revival architectural style in 19th century Britain. Following the death of the resident, Elizabeth Hussey, in 2006, this house was opened to the public for the first time on 6 June 2007
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Leeds Castle
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Ruins of Sutton Valence Castle
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View of Scotney Castle
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The estate is now in the care of the National Trust. For further details see their website nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle
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Tips from the Community
Describing Sissinghurst Castle and Garden is not easy. Words like historical, poetic, iconic, beautiful, colorful, breathtaking almost come close to reality. It is a sanctuary dedicated to beauty. Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle and created a now world-famous garden in a very unique way.
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The complex is dominated by the manor house on the hill and the ruin further down in the valley. The ruin was "created" from a functioning house several hundred years old by the owners of the manor house in order to obtain a romantic view. The two buildings are embedded in a beautiful garden. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle
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This garden, which is not so well known internationally, gave us so much joy! Incredible flowers, and that in April. The "new" house can be visited, the old one is just a very picturesque ruin. Entry per adult £17, NT members excluded. Parking was free today, the guidebook said £4 (?) Café extremely friendly and really good cake.
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A National Trust garden. Currently £17 per adult, parking £4. Do what we do and become a temporary member, you save a lot of money if you visit several buildings or gardens and also a lot of parking fees 😉
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On the lower part of the hill, at the moat, is Scotney Old Castle, built on an island in the 14th century. Further up the hill sits Scotney New Castle, built between 1843 and 1843 when the original property started to crumble. The estate is now in the care of the National Trust. For further details see their website nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle
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Maybe obvious to others, but because some of the signage was missing/hidden when we visited didn't realise that the public footpath intersects with the castle grounds which is private and which you must pay in order to use. The grounds are very pretty, but the entry ticket seem very expensive to me. You can still get nice views of the castle and grounds from the public footpath as well.
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On the lower part of the hill, at the moat, is Scotney Old Castle, built on an island in the 14th century. Further up the hill sits Scotney New Castle, built between 1843 and 1843 when the original property started to crumble. The estate is now in the care of the National Trust. For further details see their website https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle
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A very romantic ruined castle in a lake.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular castles to visit around Staplehurst?
Among the most popular castles in the area are Scotney Castle and Gardens, known for its picturesque moated manor house ruins and beautiful gardens. Sissinghurst Castle Garden is a world-renowned garden built around a medieval manor, famous for its distinct 'garden rooms'. Also highly regarded is Leeds Castle, often called the 'loveliest castle in the world', offering extensive grounds and a rich history.
Are there family-friendly castles around Staplehurst?
Yes, several castles in the area are great for families. Leeds Castle offers a wide array of attractions within its gigantic grounds, including a maze and grotto, suitable for all ages. Sissinghurst Castle Garden, while primarily a garden, has open spaces and the Tower to explore. Scotney Castle and Gardens also provides a lovely setting for families to explore its gardens and castle ruins.
What kind of historical sites can I explore besides grand castles?
Beyond the grand fortresses, you can visit sites like the Ruins of Sutton Valence Castle. This is a ruined Norman keep from the 12th century, offering a more rustic historical experience and incredible panoramic views over East Sussex and the Weald of Kent. It's freely accessible during daylight hours.
What outdoor activities can I do near these castles?
The area around Staplehurst offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous running trails, such as the 'View Across the Valley – Goudhurst Road loop', or road cycling routes like the 'View of the Kent Countryside – Staplehurst Road loop'. For more details on these and other routes, check out the Running Trails around Staplehurst and Road Cycling Routes around Staplehurst guides.
Are there hiking trails near the castles?
Yes, there are several hiking opportunities. For example, near Sissinghurst, you can enjoy easy hikes like the 'Sissinghurst Castle & estate loop' or the 'View of Sissinghurst Castle – Sissinghurst Castle Garden loop'. These trails allow you to explore the beautiful surroundings. You can find more information in the Easy hikes around Staplehurst guide.
What is the best season to visit the castle gardens near Staplehurst?
The castle gardens, such as those at Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Scotney Castle and Gardens, offer seasonal highlights. Scotney Castle's gardens are celebrated for their rhododendrons, azaleas, and kalmia in spring, wisteria and roses in summer, and spectacular autumn foliage. Sissinghurst is renowned for its continuous bloom throughout the warmer months. Spring and summer are generally ideal for experiencing the gardens at their peak, while autumn offers stunning colors.
Are there dog-friendly walks around the castles?
While specific castle interiors or formal gardens might have restrictions, many castles offer extensive grounds or nearby public footpaths suitable for dog walking. For instance, Leeds Castle has vast grounds, and there's a View of Leeds Castle from Great Water Footpath that offers free access and views. It's always best to check the specific castle's website for their most current dog policy before visiting.
How long should I plan for a visit to Leeds Castle?
Leeds Castle has extensive grounds and numerous attractions, including the castle itself, gardens, a maze, and grotto. To fully experience everything, visitors often spend a full day there. Many find that a ticket allows for multiple visits within a year, indicating the breadth of activities available.
What natural features can I see at these castles?
Many castles in the region are set amidst beautiful natural landscapes. Scotney Castle and Gardens features a picturesque moated manor house on an island within a small lake, surrounded by sloping, wooded gardens. Leeds Castle is famously surrounded by water, giving it a stunning setting. The Ruins of Sutton Valence Castle offer incredible panoramic views over the Weald of Kent.
What do visitors enjoy most about the castles around Staplehurst?
Visitors frequently praise the unique blend of historical significance and natural beauty. The meticulously maintained gardens at places like Sissinghurst Castle Garden are often highlighted as breathtaking and poetic. The rich history and stunning settings of castles like Leeds Castle, along with the tranquil atmosphere of sites like Scotney Castle, are consistently mentioned as key attractions. The panoramic views from locations such as Sutton Valence Castle are also a favorite.
Are there any hidden gems or lesser-known spots near the castles?
While not a 'hidden gem' in the sense of being unknown, the Ruins of Sutton Valence Castle offers a more understated experience compared to the larger estates. It provides a raw historical perspective with its Norman keep ruins and offers extensive panoramic views, all freely accessible. Additionally, exploring the various footpaths and trails around the larger castles can reveal unique perspectives, such as the View of Leeds Castle from Great Water Footpath, which offers wonderful, free-to-access views of Leeds Castle.
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