I've always wanted to go to Sissinghurst so we set off early in the morning to catch the train from Waterloo and on arrival at Staplehurst station asked a woman where the bus left for Sissinghurst - and she offered us a lift there. Turned out she'd just travelled to the same places that we'd been to in the States & when visiting Sydney went to yoga in Manly with Jaqui! Small world. It was a disappointment though to find Sissinghurst closed. What now? We were miles from anywhere and about to traipse back to Sissinghurst Village when we met another couple who had made the same mistake and were wandering around disconsolately looking to see what other gardens might be open in the area. They decided to go to Scotney Castle not far away, regarded as one of the 10 best gardens in England and sensing our disappointment offered to take us with them. John and Josie Mitchell are the kindest people - we found lots in common and they not only took us to Scotney Castle, but dropped us back at Staplehurst station.
Scotney Castle is not one - but two houses. One, a manor house built in 1837 for the Hussey family, and the other the ruins of a medieval castle complete with moat that the family "deconstructed"when the manor house was built, using the original building as a folly. The old castle dates back the the 12thC. The gardens are glorious - although I think they would be at their best when the rhododendrons are in full bloom. The estate was left to The National Trust in 1952 when Edward Hussey died, on condition that his wife Betsy could live in the house until she died. She lived until she was 99 dying in 2005. The house is charming and looks as if the people living there have merely gone on holiday. Lots of comfortable chairs and loads of books in every room - & lovely paintings some by John Piper. Needless to say a number of interesting people have been house guests - including Vita Sackville-West.
Manor House with flowering Kalmia in foreground
Scotney Castle Folly
looks amazing
ReplyDeleteLouise, Terry and I had the same experience as you and Conal - arriving at Staplehurst on the day the gardens at Sissinghurst was closed. Fortunately we phoned the Staplehurst taxi from the train to arrange for someone to pick us up and take us to the gardens and were told "the gardens are closed today". So we stayed on the train and went to Canterbury where we had a wonderful time in the cathedral. Love. Frances.
ReplyDeletePS: We have lost your new email address - could you pleased send itto us at Terry.leroux@BigPond.com