Roger Ashburnham is credited with building the original Scotney Castle around 1380.
The original plan may never have been finished, and by 1558 it is likely only the southern tower remained. In 1580, the south wing was rebuilt, and around 1630 the eastern range was rebuilt in the style of Inigo Jones. The Elizabethan wing remained as a bailiff's residence until 1905, but the eastern range was partly dismantled on the completion of the new house in 1843, leaving the ruin as a garden feature and the focal point of the celebrated gardens.
The Darrell family owned the estate for some 350 years. In 1778 Edward Hussey bought the estate and his grandson, also Edward, built the 'new' Castle to the designs of Anthony Salvin, from sandstone quarried from the slope below. This is part of the old castle by the lake.
A quadrangular Castle built by Roger Ashburnham in 1133, near River Bewl in Kent. Post Code: TN3 8JN. A footprint of an Iguanadon is said to have been found in the castle garden.