Visits

NEXT VISIT:

There are other outings at the planning stage! More details to follow!

Contact Jean Harrison for more details.

RECENT VISITS:

Scotney Castle – 9 June 2025

On what started as an overcast but dry morning, 40+ of us set off on a visit to Scotney Castle, which is approximately 9 miles southeast of Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent. The coach driver did a fantastic job of negotiating the very long and narrow driveway up to the carpark.

On arrival we were all handed an entrance sticker, pamphlet and clear instructions on what was available to see during our five hours stay.

Scotney Castle

Scotney Castle is a scheduled ancient monument and has a long and rich history. The earliest parts of the old castle were built in 1378 by Roger de Ashburnham and were altered over the years by both the Darell and Hussey families.

House

Built between 1837 and 1843, the house contains a large collection added by three generations of the Hussey family. The collection includes many artworks, books and furniture. Scotney Castle has been in the ownership of the National Trust since Christopher Hussey’s death in 1970. The house remained the private residence of his widow Betty Hussy, until 2006 and first opened to visitors in 2007

Walled Garden

The one-acre walled garden was built in around 1840 to provide the family with fresh produce, including fruit, vegetables, herbs and an assortment of flowers.

Accessibility

Two of our party made good use of the on-loan mobility scooters, giving them accessibility to large parts of the 780 acre estate.

Wildlife

Nature at its best. Mother duck keeping her brood of ducklings safe, perched on a rock in the castle moat.

There was very good value for money catering facilities on site, although we did overwhelm them slightly when we first arrived, with the majority of us requiring refreshment after the journey. But we are a patient lot on the whole!

Scotney Castle is well worth visiting. We were blessed with improving weather throughout our stay, ending up sunny and warm, with some of use enjoying an ice cream as a final treat.

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Two London Museums – March 2025

Towards the end of March, 40 of us went to The Museum of the Home in London.

The weather was kind which was a bonus as they had a lovely garden to wander in.

Inside the museum were room settings, back to 17th century, and looking forward to 2049. It was a lovely museum housed in Georgian almshouses.

We then went on to Docklands where some of us took time to explore the Dock area and some went to the Museum of London. Here we stepped back in time to see 400 years of Docklands history. Another lovely day out.

  • Museum of the Home
  • Museum Garden
  • Room in the Museum

Rochester – November 2024

November saw a coachload of the Friends heading to Rochester for the Christmas market. The weather wasn’t particularly good but Paul, our trusty driver dropped everyone off near the market so folk were free to wander and enjoy the variety of stalls.

Some of the group enjoyed the High Street shops set out for the Dickens Christmas events whilst others enjoyed the architecture, peace and warmth of the cathedral.

It was a good day and enjoyed by all who went.

Windsor – July 2024

Our outing in July took us to Windsor. Here we boarded a French Brothers boat for a cruise on the River Thames and a ploughman’s lunch.

We passed through Boveney lock, and sailed as far as Bray, passing Dorney Lake and some fantastic riverside properties. The commentary was clear and informative and we all had good view.

The highlight of the cruise was lunch! Described by everyone as the best ploughman’s lunch they had ever seen! It really was excellent!

The afternoon was free to explore the town or sit to watch activity on the river. It was a good day.

 

LIST OF RECENT VISITS:

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