When it comes to countryside escapes, outdoor adventures and beautiful scenery, Tunbridge Wells ticks all your boxes. Thanks to its position in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Tunbridge Wells boasts some of the best rural walks, quaint villages and outdoor exploration. Plus, with four National Trust properties within easy reach and the Georgian spa town, Royal Tunbridge Wells to explore, there’s so much to fill your itinerary.
Things to do in Tunbridge Wells
There’s so many things to do in Tunbridge Wells from exploring the history and heritage to taking on one of the best walks in Tunbridge Wells.
National Trust Properties
There’s four National Trust properties within easy reach of Tunbridge Wells. The famous gardens at Sissinghurst Castle are well worth a visit or head to see the magnificent display of Autumn colours at Scotney Castle. Head a little further afield to neighbouring Sevenoaks for a visit to Knole or last but by no means least the 580-acre estate at Ightham Mote.
Autumnal Gardens in the Fall
Be dazzled by the riot of colour for walks through the breath-taking stately homes and castles at this time of year. The trees are turning from green to glorious yellow, fiery red and burnished gold.
Penshurst Place is a quintessentially stunning English manor home which is as popular with Hollywood film producers as with visitors to the area. Oozing Tudor charm it has been the location for The Other Bolyen Girl, The Princess Bride, Merlin, Wolf Hall and JK Rowling’s The Silkworm.
The foliage in the arboretum is ablaze of colour at Penshurst Place and it is a particularly beautiful time of year for a stroll with or without the family, the dog or friends.
With two free-to-access estate walks, which are open all year round, providing the opportunity to appreciate the natural local Wealden countryside you can catch exciting glimpses of Penshurst Place from all angles.
The Parkland Walk and the Riverside Walk are marked with numbered and colour-coded signs to follow and both can be completed in a day, starting and finishing in the visitor car park. Trail maps can be purchased from the Gift Shop.
Hole Park
Hole Park Gardens is a cherished gem of an estate garden in a rural location at the edge of the borough near Rolvenden. Really very beautiful, and after the bluebell season, autumn is a shining beacon in their botanical calendar.The cafe is often staffed by the owner, Edward Barham who provides the archetypal English afternoon tea with homemade scones, jam and cream and that blissfully reviving cup of tea.
The best of the great outdoors in Tunbridge Wells
Thanks to its position in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Tunbridge Wells has some of the best outdoor attractions and places to walk that are full of natural beauty.
Autumn Walks and Trails
Now that the summer sun is giving way to a softer glow, saunter out and enjoy the refreshing coolness that is in the air.
The Tunbridge Wells Circular is a marathon-length walk that can be undertaken in one go or four shorter walks, all starting in Royal Tunbridge Wells. The walks traverse the High Weald countryside and some of Kent’s most beautiful villages.
Why not combine a walk with a National Trust property and choose the Scotney Castle Circular. A 4-mile walk starting at The Vineyard in Lamberhurst and heading out towards the Scotney Castle estate.
For a longer walk, take on the five-mile walk through the heart of working countryside in Horsmonden.
Vineyards are characteristically full of life at this time of year harvesting the grapes and opening their cellar doors, take a self-guided tour of the vineyards in our region and taste the full flavour of wine and cider from Kent, rivalling the top French and Italian terroirs…
Where to stay
Royal Wells Hotel
Tunbridge Wells is one of the most dog-friendly destinations. With so many wonderful dog-walking spots to a town centre with over 100 dog-friendly shops and restaurants. The Royal Wells Hotel is a dog-friendly town centre hotel, perfect for a stay in Tunbridge Wells with your pooch.
Book your local foodie experience
Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Tunbridge Wells
Kent Wine School
Afternoon Tea with Alpacas
Cookery Classes at Ashdown Manna
Steam Train and Vineyard Tour
Balfour wine flights – Goudhurst Inn
Balfour Winery Tour
Chef’s Table at The Counter
Local Wine or Gin Tasting
Chefs Table at Tallow
Heritage Rail Dining Experiences
Foraging – Rural Courses
Foraging & Wild Picnic Lunch
Chocolate Making Classes
Villages of Character
Discover more by staying longer. Explore our numerous charming Wealden villages scattered among a rustic undulating countryside.
The pretty villages of Brenchley, Horsmonden, Goudhurst, and Matfield are just a few of the many endearing places to visit.
Benenden
Brenchley
Goudhurst
Hawkhurst
Horsmonden
Lamberhurst
Matfield
Paddock Wood
Rusthall
Sandhurst
Sissinghurst
Southborough
Speldhurst
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Cranbrook
Why not stop and sample some Kentish hospitality in one of the numerous country pubs which serve a varied menu made from fresh locally sourced ingredients?
Top tip: try a ‘Ploughman’s’ lunch! A simple meal of bread and cheese made elegant with the addition of tasty local chutneys and salad.
Follow the scenic country car tour to visit our villages, maybe take elevenses in one, lunch in another and afternoon tea in a different spot and choose your favourite.
