We know, we know, we’re Londonist and this isn’t in London. Sometimes we like to show you interesting places to go and things to do that are a little further afield. For more things to do near London, take a look at our day trips from London page.
Want to get out of London for the day? Why not head to Tonbridge? It’s less than an hour on the train, sitting between the better-known towns of Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells. A rose between two thorns, if you will.
That’s right: Tonbridge is not Tunbridge Wells. They’re two completely separate towns, located a few miles apart. Take it from someone who was raised in the former; if you confuse the two in front of someone from Tonbridge, they’ll be delighted. If you do so in front of someone from Royal Tunbridge Wells, you’ll get a less complimentary reception. You’ve been warned. Let the Tonbridge tour begin.
The first sight on your tour of Tonbridge can be seen before you’ve even left the station. You might even get a tour guide in the form of local celebrity Sapphire. The tunnel joining platforms 3 and 4 to the station car park has a beautiful mural painted on its curvaceous walls, depicting local and station life. It’s by local artist Graham Upton.
If public art is your thing, turn right out of the station and head up to the roundabout to see this sculpture dedicated to Olympic gold medallist and Tonbridge resident Dame Kelly Holmes, unveiled in 2017. It’s Tonbridge’s own equivalent to the Angel of the North.
Yes, Tonbridge has a castle, which is more than can be said for Tunbridge Wells. It describes itself as “reputedly England’s finest example of a Motte and Bailey Castle with a splendid 13th Century Gatehouse”. Where that reputation comes from is unstated, but don’t let that deter you. It may not attract the visitor numbers that the Tower of London does, but on the plus side… it doesn’t attract the visitor numbers that the Tower of London does. In fact, pick the right day and you might have the place to yourselves.
It’s completely free to wander through the gatehouse and out onto the castle lawn, which has views over the river and town below. You can also climb the motte, which’ll give you views in the other direction, over Tonbridge Park. It’s best done in winter, when the leaves are off the trees.
Budding Attenboroughs will like it round these parts — swans tend to cluster in the river here, a particularly beefy family of squirrels lives in one of the trees halfway up the motte, and the castle walls have more pigeons living in them than any spot in London.
If you’re really into this history malarkey, head to the Tourist Info office and hire yourself a headset to take the tour inside the gatehouse. Plus, there are cannons, which makes every good day trip at least ten times better.
It’s worth casting your eyes upwards as you wander along the high street; Tonbridge has plenty of ghostsigns. Our favourite can be seen on Barden Road, right outside the station:
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