A warm welcome and a cosy atmosphere.
The pubs in the Tunbridge Wells area come in all guises. The rise of the ‘gastropub’, more of a restaurant than a pub, is definitely here to stay and provides top class fare and refreshment in a sumptuous and bountiful setting.
Many are so exquisitely decorated (no sawdust floors here), you’ll believe you have entered another era in many respects, not least one of conviviality and good service.
Aside from this there are more casual pubs, friendly dining pubs, small pubs, pubs with accommodation (or we would call them inns), pubs with gardens and play areas and even an opera pub!
Best country pubs for food.
Most pubs these days do serve food, colloquially known as ‘pub grub’. However, times have moved on from bangers and mash and a paltry ploughman’s.
Today, hostelries pride themselves on their offers of fresh local produce. The great English Sunday Roast remains very popular and widely available, as is fish and chips.
Out in the borough of Tunbridge Wells, we have a selection of convivial town and country pubs combining the old-style and contemporary at their best. In Royal Tunbridge Wells, the town has over 40 pubs and bars to choose from.
Here we have handpicked a few for you; all serve real ale and some of the best local produce.
- The Vineyard at Lamberhurst, reminiscent of noble Wedgewood china and contemporary glassware à la Laura Ashley, does a great variety of unusual bar snacks as well as posh pub lunches and dinners. In the summer, join in the barbeque on their decking in the large pub garden. Next door to a living vineyard and overlooking the Wealden landscape, this is a smart place to stop on your travels.
- The Great House at Hawkhurst is well known in the area for fine dining. This pub is perfect to add in to your scenic tour of the Weald particularly as it is a white clapboard building from the 1500s. It used to be 2 cottages and was frequented by the local smuggling gang in days of yore! It still has its enclosed cottage garden which is a delight to sit in during the warmer weather.
- The Kentish Hare, Bidborough is not far from Royal Tunbridge Wells. Privately owned and a firm favourite with locals, this pub is very well patronised. At the start of 2023, it won the ‘The top 5 Gastro Pubs awards’ by Estrella Damm and you’ll find it is easy to see why. You will probably need to book to eat here. Casual drinkers are equally welcome; local real ale and real cider are available.
- The Star and Eagle at Goudhurst is a ‘free house’ meaning not owned by a chain company or brewery but a cheery family. Some pleasing ales are on tap and it has a wonderful menu from head chef. This inn is another very popular place in the middle of the country and not too far from Bedgebury Pinetum and Bewl Water.
- The Spotted Dog, at Penshurst is very family friendly and dog friendly too. Very cosy in winter and great views in summer this is a lovely small, informal place to go after a walk. With low beams and an open fire, apparently, “it’s pies are really good!”. Housed in a 15th century, white boarded historic building on Smarts Hill, it boasts some pretty country views as well.
Best traditional rural English pubs.
Chosen for their commitment to the lively custom of supping on a pint in jocular company; dog friendly, with inglenook fire places, snugs, nooks and crannies, not to mention serving a superior pint of ale, all of these suggested pubs are at least 200 years old and some much, much older.
- The Halfway House at Brenchley, with its higgledy-piggledy interior, has won awards for its commitment to real ale. It usually has 10 ales on tap with 4 changed regularly. On the bus route 294 from Tunbridge Wells, only 30 minutes away, it is well worth a visit. This pub does serve food and provides a very large pub garden in which to idle.
- The address for The Elephants Head is Lamberhurst but in truth it is in the middle of nowhere. A lovely old Grade II listed Tudor house built in 1489 still with log fires and camping nearby. There are rambling routes that go right past its front door, which makes it an ideal stop off! Ales are from Harvey Brewery in Sussex only 30 miles away. Sometimes, you might be lucky and catch some live music.
- The Knoxbridge Inn in Frittenden is a small, inn or pub on Cranbrook Road (A229), the old Roman Road running from Maidstone to Hastings. They offer 3 regularly changed ales and a French chef to serve your taste buds. Comfortable sofas, two real fires, good wine and board games, you could easily while away a couple of hours in the warm nooks or in the well-kept garden.
- The Bell & Jorrocks in Frittenden is the social hub of this small village and very much involved in local traditional events. Often putting on their own seasonal entertainment and live music, they also provide sophisticated meals. Tucked well away from the main roads and towns, this is quite a find. Ask the staff about the local Treacle Mines.
- The Gun & Spitroast at Horsmonden is another local opposite the village green, heavily involved with the local community and events. Drenched in fascinating history, it is well worth a visit. There is no spitroast at the moment but the management are looking into re-introducing it.
- The Crown Inn, at Groombridge, next to Groombridge Place is one of the most charming pubs in the area and included on the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) historic pub register for its spectacularly olden interior. The exterior too is very attractive being hung with classic brick-red peg tiles and an open fireplace. They do hearty old fashioned pub grub as well as excellent ales on tap. Originally a haunt for another set of local smugglers, The Groombridge Gang!
Pub gardens in Tunbridge Wells.
Surely one of the most idyllic ways to enjoy an afternoon in fair weather is to sit out in an English country pub garden, bask in the glorious views, the chirping birds and colourful flowers whilst relishing the local fare al fresco.
For the best pub gardens in Spring and Summer, read our Beer Gardens article.
More quirky pubs in Tunbridge Wells.
Apart from the above obviously!
The Duke of York is one of the best pubs in Royal Tunbridge Wells for a good old pub food! It is situated in the Pantiles and uses Kent sourced produce where possible. It is dog friendly and also has a good selection of board games to keep you entertained.
There is the Mount Edgcumbe on the Tunbridge Wells Common in the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells which has a cave as its entrance and there is a real stone grotto to sit in right inside the pub! In the winter this is the ultimate in cosy, with an open fire, dim lighting and particularly being in the middle of the dark moor-like area in the evening. And in the summer, it is beautiful to sit outside and soak up the view.
Dovecote Inn at Capel has rare traditional pub games like Bat & Trap and Shove Ha’penny as well as serving real ale, real cider and delicious food. Capel is a mere 15 minutes’ drive away.
A traveller’s respite.
Many pubs are next door to some fabulous attractions and sometimes a destination in themselves being very old and historically noteworthy.
Every town & village has at least one pub so whilst out exploring the region you are not going to go hungry or thirsty.
The pubs make an idyllic sojourn whilst taking driving or cycling tours round the scenic country lanes and ancient woodlands.
Discover your own hidden gem to create your special holiday memories and feel truly spoiled.
Many pubs are closed on Mondays and kitchens may close at 2pm and then open at 6pm until 9pm. Do please check before making a special trip.
Take a look at our pub listings and stay a bit longer in a well-preserved coaching inn.
