Tonbridge is a busy market town on the River Medway with a castle and some attractive buildings at the north end of the High Street. Although overlooked by many tourists, Tonbridge makes a good base for exploring Kent and East Sussex by train.
Tonbridge has direct trains to nearby Sevenoaks (for Knole), Tunbridge Wells (Regency spa town), Penshurst (for Penshurst Place, Chiddingstone Castle and village), Staplehurst (bus to Sissinghurst Garden), Headcorn (bus to picturesque Tenterden and Kent & East Sussex Railway to Bodiam Castle).
Further afield with direct trains are Canterbury (historic city and Cathedral), Dover Priory (Dover Castle), Battle (Abbey and 1066 Battlefield) and Hastings. Changing trains at Ashford International will take you to the compact and historic town of Rye.
Tonbridge PlusBus tickets are valid within the local urban area (but not to Shipbourne for Ightham Mote).
TI Tonbridge Castle. Tel. 01732 770929.
A fine example of a motte and bailey castle with an impressive 13th century gatehouse.
Audio tours of the gatehouse. The Castle is set in landscaped grounds overlooking the River Medway.
Open Daily 1000-1600.
www.tonbridgecastle.org
A beautiful medieval moated manor house with later additions.
Great Hall, Tudor chapel and many other furnished rooms. Garden and woodland walks. Restaurant.
Open Mar-Oct, Daily 1000-1700, House from 1100.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Bus 222 from near Rail Station (also High Street and near Castle) to Shipbourne Church
(where the bus turns right) then 1 mile walk following the Greensand Way path. 16 minutes journey, M-F every 2-3 hours.
For bus times see Traveline.
Tonbridge PlusBus tickets are NOT valid for this journey.
Buses also operate from Borough Green.
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