Picnic stop on Sandhurst village green - photo by David Hodgkinson Picnic stop on Sandhurst village green - photo by David Hodgkinson Sandhurst village green & clock tower - photo by David Hodgkinson Sandhurst village green & clock tower - photo by David Hodgkinson Slide Sandhurst cottage - photo by David Hodgkinson

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.

Come and pay it a visit and find out why for yourself!

At the far eastern edge of the Weald of Kent and south east from Royal Tunbridge Wells, its name means ‘Sandy Wood’ in anglo-saxon.

An Instagrammable place in Kent

The smock windmill in the village dates from 1844.

This now provides wind generated power for the private house to which it has been converted.

It provides a lovely photo opportunity especially at sunset – see what you can create for your own memories.

History in Sandhurst

Some of the houses lining the main thoroughfare are from the 15th Century and still retain their timber frames.

A former weaving hamlet, it is ideal for stretching ones legs and grabbing a breath of fresh air whilst admiring the area.

For those in need of a heritage fix, the Church of St Nicholas is purported to have a plague pit where victims of the Black Death (1348-49) are buried.

In the 14th century the village moved away from the church to its present position nearer to the road to Rye in coastal East Sussex.

Where is Sandhurst in Kent?

Rye and Winchelsea are only a 20 minute drive away, Bodiam Castle and Great Dixter are on the doorstep as is Rolvenden (for Hole Park Gardens) and Northiam for the Kent and East Sussex Rural Light Railway.

Hawkhurst, also nearby has an intriguing smuggling heritage and more local facilities for the traveller too.

This area is not only rich in heritage and beauty but delicious local produce too. Roadside smallholders’ stalls and the Sandhurst Farm Shop are great little finds.

Sandhurst vineyard is in the neighbourhood which is a private enterprise that has been growing grapes and hops since 1939. It is not open to the public but indicates the quality of the land in our region.

Within a mile of the village, the ridge on which it stands drops away to the Romney Marsh, an area famous for its delicious lamb meat.

With bed and breakfast, self-catering and farmstay accommodation in the area what better place could there be to relax and unwind?

There are so many lovely country pubs too, take your pick for a rural feast.