Days Trips Near Tunbridge Wells
Are you planning a visit or Tunbridge Wells or do you live locally and are looking for some ideas and inspiration for days out? I was born and bred in Tunbridge Wells and I’m now lucky enough to have a jewellery shop and atelier in Tunbridge Wells’ historic Pantiles. My favourite day trips normally involve historic houses and hunting for antique treasures so if those are things you enjoy too then you have come to the right place as here are my recommendations…
Hastings
East Sussex
You can reach Hastings in fifty minutes by train from Tunbridge Wells or in a similar amount of time by car.
One of my favourite places to visit in A G Hendy Co Homestore (36 High Street, Hastings, TN34 3ER) which is beautifully curated 16th century merchant’s house. On my last visit I took 48 pictures and found it almost impossible to edit them down! I was completely charmed. There are lots of antique and curiosity shops in Hastings but another favourite is Relfs Relics (2 George Street, Westhill Arcade, Hastings, TN34 3EA)
Scotney Castle
Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 8JN
Scotney Castle is a National Trust property near Lamberhurst. The gardens are a celebrated example of the Picturesque style and if you are visiting look out for two incredible trees – European Limes (Tillia x europaea) that are over 300 years old. There is also an impressive Giant Redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum), planted in the 1850s. You can also see the ruined medieval castle, Victorian mansion and enjoy a walk in the woods or rolling parkland. Another detail to look out for are the feather flowers. During the first and second world war they were apparently kept as a cheaper alternative to fresh flowers.
Sissinghurst
Biddenden Road, near Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 2AB
One of my favourite places to visit is Sissinghurst, a Natural Trust gem, that’s known for its garden created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. Sissinghurst was once a prison before being home to the women’s land army. It then became a family home but it’s most notable residents were poet and writer Sackville-West who created its glorious gardens along with her husband, Nicolson, a diplomat and author.
Pashley Manor Gardens
Ticehurst, near Wadhurst, East Sussex, TN5 7HE
A fabulous garden to visit with a cafe and various exhibitions, Pashley Manor has 11 acres with sweeping herbaceous borders, a walled garden, kitchen garden and a glorious rose walk. I love to visit when the tulips are out or again in late summer when the colours are fading but there’s still so much to see.
Rye
East Sussex
Rye is just under and hour from Tunbridge Wells by car and around an hour and half by train as you need to change at St Leonards Warrior Square which can involve a bit of a wait. When my mum was pregnant with me my dad took her for a bumpy ride over Rye’s cobbled streets, to encourage her to go into labor and it worked!
I’d recommend stopping at the wonderfully cosy coffee house The Apothecary (1 East Street, Rye, TN31 7JY) before exploring the antique and independent shops Rye has to offer. My absolute favourite is Alex MacArther’s wonderful home and showroom. Also Austin Friars Monastery (The Monastery, 1 Conduit Hill, Rye, TN31 7LE), a two story 14th century chapel that is worth the appointment you need to visit.
Knole
Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0RP (Sat Nav TN13 1HX)
The National Trust think that Knole House may have once been what’s known as a calendar house as it has 365 rooms making it one of England’s largest houses. My daughter always says I take too many pictures - but there are so many details to delight at Knole House. The scale of the 600-year-old Knole estate is magnificent and there are courtyards, showrooms, a Gatehouse Tower and parklands to explore.
Chiddingstone Castle
Hill Hoath Road, Chiddingstone, Kent, TN8 7AD
There is so much to discover at Chiddingstone Castle, including the amazing collections of the late Denys Eyre Bower, who collected art and artefacts. It was the Samurai armour that caught my eye and helped inspire my Astral Pendant necklace. Among the collections you’ll find Japanese, Stuart, Jacobite, Buddhist and Ancient Egyptian artefacts. You can enjoy afternoon tea at the castle or go for a woodland walk around the estate.
Ardingly Antiques Fair
64 High Street, Ardingly, RH17 6TD
I visit Ardingly Antiques Fair with my dad throughout the year. It’s a bi-monthly event held at the South of England Showground. It’s worth arriving early and I’m always inspired by the treasures I find. Antiques dealers come from far and wide with furniture, artwork and decorative items from an array of historical periods and eras.
Hever Castle
Hever Road, Edenbridge, Hever, TN8 7NG
Hever Castle is the place to go for Tudor inspiration. It was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and has over 125 acres of gardens. The gardens have a maze, moat, model house and more. There are also events throughout the year, including jousting tournaments, kids holiday trails and craft fairs.
Chartwell
Mapleton Road, Westerham, TN16 1PS
I love imagining what life would have been like for the Churchill family as I walk around Chartwell which was the home of Winston and Clementine Churchill for forty years. The National Trust have tried to keep Chartwell true to how it would have been when the Churchill family lived there. You can even take a peek inside Churchill’s studio.