Scotney Castle Garden & Estate (National Trust)

The moated 14th century castle and landscape of Scotney together make this one of England's most romantic places. Created in the 1830s by Edward Hussey who had the imagination to transform the medieval Scotney Castle from derelict dwelling to quaint ruin, thus forming the focus of his picturesque landscape garden, which he called his pleasure gardens. The view from the Bastion, just below the formal terraces of the "new" Scotney Castle, takes in the glorious colours of Ghent azaleas in late spring. In the autumn, golden tulip trees and crimson liquidambers take centre stage against a back cloth of parkland and woodland which are part of the 770 acre Scotney Estate. The estate walks can be enjoyed throughout the year. There is a magnificient display of bluebells in May and spectacular autumn colours. The hop farm is one of the few surviving in Kent.