Home - Visit Tunbridge Wells

sunset

Wide open landscapes, painted skies, nights under
the stars in the secret Garden of England.

The secret garden of England

Pantiles

Soak up the culture, admire the fascinating history
and architecture of the famous colonnaded walkway

The Pantiles

The Secret Garden of England | Bayham Abbey, Tunbridge Wells

The Nature Reserves and Woodlands that surround Royal Tunbridge
Wells are home to and protect a range of wildlife and landscapes.

Nature reserves & woodlands

Ashdown Forest

Achingly beautiful countryside & rich heritage offering ultimate
serenity in this little corner of the Garden of England

Explore Tunbridge Wells

rocks

There are several exceptional sandstone outcrops
of rock around the town of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

The Rocks

Calverley Grounds in the Summer

If you're looking for a place to reconnect with nature,
in Tunbridge Wells, there's plenty of parks to choose from...

Parks & lakes in Tunbridge Wells

Cranbrook-Union-Mill-reduced

Discover the prettiest English villages you could wish for and
be delighted by their hospitable tranquillity...

Explore Tunbridge Wells

section-background-2(SMALL)

If you're looking for a place to reconnect with nature,
in Tunbridge Wells, there's plenty of parks to choose from...

Parks & lakes in Tunbridge Wells

Homeadmin2023-01-09T12:57:46+00:00

Accommodation

Eat & Drink

Shopping

Things to Do

Search listings

Accommodation

Eat & Drink

Shopping

Things to Do

Search listings

Accommodation

Eat & Drink

Shopping

Things to Do

Search listings

Welcome to the official Tourist Information website for the Tunbridge Wells borough, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Garden of England.

BE INSPIRED

Brunch

Tunbridge Wells is growing as a food destination: choose from a classic English breakfast with a twist, bottomless brunch, or even vegetarian/vegan options; we have something to please everyone’s tastes and cravings.

Things To Do

From stately homes, luscious gardens and countryside, vineyards, museums, tours and family friendly attractions, discover some of the best things to do in Kent.

What’s on

From annual foodie and music festivals, to theatre, drama, family events and workshops. Find the perfect event for you.

Weddings

Get married in Tunbridge Wells like true royalty or in perfect simplicity. With an array of Stately Homes and beautiful countryside, we have some of the best venues in Kent to tie the knot.

Our Blog

is written by local residents who give you the inside information on the best places to go in the borough.

all blog articles

Join the parade and light up the town on Saturday 4 February!

26/01/2023

Make Memories Together this Christmas at Trinity Theatre

16/11/2022

from our social media

EXPLORE TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Benenden

If you’re looking for a beautiful small rural Kent village with a village green, overlooked by a majestic medieval church, then you must visit Benenden.

Nestled between Sandhurst and Cranbrook, the village is in the heart of the rural Garden of England and an experience to be enjoyed at leisure.

All Saints church, Brenchley - photo by David Hodgkinson

Brenchley

A popular village for commuters even almost 200 years ago!

The Flower of Kent was the name of the London-bound stagecoach that galloped back and forth from Brenchley, three times a week in 1823.

Cranbrook Windmill & shopping high street - photo by Dave Hodgkinson

Cranbrook, Capital of the Weald

Cranbrook is a pretty settlement with a medieval layout of streets and alleys. Many buildings date from the 15th century through to the 19th century.

With famous attractions nearby, plenty of accommodation and events running throughout the year, Cranbrook in the Weald of Kent is the ideal destination for both a short break or long vacation.

Goudhurst Duck Pond - photo by David Hodgkinson

Goudhurst

Goudhurst is a delight with its village high street tumbling down the steep hill from the church to the village pond. This winding hill played host (or is that havoc?!) to the Tour de France in 2007.

The village and, in particular the historic 14th century tower at St Mary’s Church, commands wonderful views over the Kent countryside.

The pretty colonnaded shops in Hawkhurst - photo by David Hodgkinson

Hawkhurst

This historic and infamous village is situated within the Kentish High Weald near the border of East Sussex.

Hawkhurst is really two villages in one – the tranquil settlement in the oldest part known as The Moor, and a pretty shopping area complete with hanging baskets and a covered walkway at Highgate.

The Heath, Horsmonden - photo by David Hodgkinson

Horsmonden

The name of this pretty agricultural village means ‘horsemen’s woodland pasture’.

For such a tiny village in the middle of one of the most rural parts of the Weald of Kent, Horsmonden has a huge history.

A rambler's view in the lovely Weald village of Lamberhurst - photo by David Hodgkinson

Lamberhurst

The famous Lamberhurst Gloucester ironworks, named after Queen Anne’s shortlived son, was amongst the last in Kent to produce iron.

In the main street is a portion of the early railings of St Paul’s Cathedral, made in the village in 1710 and returned to the village in 1976.

A ramble and picnic at Matfield Green - photo by by David Hodgkinson

Matfield

Near to Royal Tunbridge Wells, it is definitely a contender for the quaintest English village with chocolate-box village green, cricket pitch, and endearing duck pond encircled by graceful Georgian houses.

Siegfried Sassoon, the famous World War I poet, was born and grew up in Matfield.

Typical Oast House Roofs - photo by Mike Bartlett

Paddock Wood

The small town of Paddock Wood grew up around the railway in 1842 which provided access for local fruit growers and hop farmers to London and the coast.

Hop pickers used to come on their annual summer ‘holiday’ to this area and spent the summer in the surrounding fields.

Rustic Rusthall! - photo by David Hodgkinson

Rusthall

A lovely little haven one mile west of the town of Royal Tunbridge Wells and Tunbridge Wells Common, Rusthall is hidden among the trees and surrounded by rocky sandstone outcrops complete with some lively village shops.

A village with two centres, one developed around Toad Rock in the 1800s, the Victorian era, as a summer holiday resort.

Sandhurst village green & clock tower - photo by David Hodgkinson

Sandhurst

With very early military credentials going back to 1066, Sandhurst in Kent is only a 30 minute scenic drive from Royal Tunbridge Wells, and a marvellous stop off between coast and town.

A charming white clapboard rural Wealden village and home to the 2014 Kent Tea Shop of the Year.

Welcome to Sissinghurst village - photo by David Hodgkinson

Sissinghurst

The little village of Sissinghurst in Kent is most well known for the famous gardens in the ‘Castle’, and is surrounded by woodland in the far east of the region of Tunbridge Wells.

For horticultural hobbyists and garden groupies it is a stalwart on the garden tours of the Garden of England!

Enjoy Southbourgh Common - photo by David Hodgkinson

Southborough

Today this busy town has many quieter areas to offer the visitor, especially if you are looking for strolling and dining options just on the doorstep of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Since 1639, the Cavaliers have stayed at Southborough lodgings in order to partake of the waters at the Chalybeate Spring!

St Mary's church, Speldhurst - photo by David Hodgkinson

Speldhurst

Only 5 km from Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent, much of Speldhurst dates from the 19th century and is another fine example of our quaint Wealden villages.

Original birth place of the Speldhurst Sausage, these delicious little lovelies are now made in nearby Eridge.

The Pantiles - photo by David Hodgkinson

The Pantiles

The chance discovery in 1606 of a Spring with distinctive reddish tinted mineral deposits led to the development of the Pantiles and later on, Royal Tunbridge Wells.

The practice of drinking from natural springs for health reasons dates back to Roman times.

HIGHLIGHTS

from our featured listings

listing image — Scotney Castle

Historic Site/Structure

listing image — The Vineyard Pub

Pub/Inn

listing image — Hole Park Gardens

Garden/Environmental Attraction

listing image — The Poet at Matfield

Pub/Inn

listing image — Dunorlan Park

Garden/Environmental Attraction

listing image — Cranbrook Museum

Museum/Heritage/Visitor Centre

listing image — Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel

Hotel

listing image — Calverley Grounds

Garden/Environmental Attraction

listing image — The Ivy

Restaurant

listing image — Salomons Estate

Museum/Heritage/Visitor Centre

listing image — Sissinghurst Castle Gardens

Garden/Environmental Attraction

listing image — The Amelia Scott

Museum/Heritage/Visitor Centre

listing image — Chalybeate Spring

Museum/Heritage/Visitor Centre

listing image — Flying Horse Cottage

Self Catering

listing image — Groombridge Place and The Enchanted Forest

Garden/Environmental Attraction

listing image — Hononton Cottage

Bed & Breakfast

listing image — Bewl Water

Adventure/Activity

listing image — Applebloom Bed and Breakfast

Bed & Breakfast

listing image — Countrybike

Sightseeing & Transport

listing image — Penshurst Place and Gardens

Historic Site/Structure

listing image — Pashley Manor Gardens

Garden/Environmental Attraction

listing image — Zagatos

Restaurant

listing image — Go Ape! Bedgebury

Adventure/Activity

listing image — Assembly Hall Theatre

Entertainment/Music

listing image — The Opera House

Pub/Inn