Tonbridge Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Tonbridge featuring a church or cathedral, a castle and heritage elements
Penshurst Place and Gardens featuring heritage elements, heritage architecture and a park
Tonbridge showing signage and a house
Tonbridge
Penshurst Place and Gardens which includes a pond, heritage architecture and heritage elements

This small town southeast of London offers family fun and interesting history amid a pretty rural setting full of wildlife, trees and rolling hills. 

The small town of Tonbridge is a peaceful retreat, with charming traditional British pubs and shops, along the Medway River. There’s also historical landmarks, including a castle and a manor house, and several markets. The town sits just outside London and is a popular spot for tourists looking for a short break from the capital city. Spend a quiet afternoon at a pub by the river or exploring an English country garden.

Start your visit in the center of town at the Tonbridge Castle. Take an audio tour for a small fee to learn about the 900-year-old history of the castle then relax in the surrounding gardens.

Visit one of the markets in town. Buy fresh local produce from the Farmers Market on the second Sunday of every month. The regular Saturday market in the town center has been running since 1259. Today, stall vendors sell everything from clothes and hardware to fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.

East of the town center is the Church of St. Thomas à Becket, famous for its 13th- and 14th-century wall paintings. It’s said that Becket, who was the archbishop of Canterbury, preached at the church almost 1,000 years ago.

Head further east and you’ll come to the small town of Paddock Wood and The Hop Farm Family Park. At this adventure park you can jump around on Giant Jumping Pillows, watch a 4-D movie about pirates and pet animals such as calves, lambs and goats on the farm.

Drive 5.5 miles (8.9 kilometers) west of Tonbridge to Penshurst Village, where you’ll come to the majestic Penshurst Place. The manor house dates back to the 14th century and was the ancestral home of an aristocratic family. Stroll through its scenic walled gardens and admire the colorful flowers. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic.

Tonbridge is a 1-hour drive southeast of London. Come by train from the capital and train or bus from many towns in the surrounding Kent County. Rent a bike to enjoy the fresh air and pretty English countryside.

The Rose and Crown Hotel – Tonbridge
The Rose and Crown Hotel – Tonbridge
3 out of 5
125 High Street, Rose & Crown Hotel/125, Tonbridge, England
The price is £43 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£43
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Tonbridge. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.2/10 Good! (496 reviews)
"Been many times before when it was a best western so we missed the little things ie tissues in the bathroom complimentary toiletries and biscuit There was only enough coffee or tea for three cups and there was two of us"

Reviewed on 1 Jun 2025

The Rose and Crown Hotel – Tonbridge
Hilton London Gatwick Airport
Hilton London Gatwick Airport
4 out of 5
South Terminal Gatwick Airport, Gatwick, England
The price is £116 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£116
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Gatwick. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,010 reviews)
"Great location. A few minutes walk to checkin. Super comfortable mattress. Very quiet building. Loved my stay."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

Hilton London Gatwick Airport
Bloc Hotel London Gatwick Airport
Bloc Hotel London Gatwick Airport
3 out of 5
South Terminal, Gatwick Airport, Gatwick, England
The price is £114 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
£114
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Gatwick. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,258 reviews)
"Good place to stay the night before an early flight. Positives: Clean, easy, right next to security at LGW South, app check in all worked. Downsides are really tiny rooms - literally just enough room for lobby and bed, so if you're claustrophobic it's not for you, and the shower is right in front ..."

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Bloc Hotel London Gatwick Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
A pretty 4* detached rural holiday cottage in the heart of the Kent countryside
A pretty 4* detached rural holiday cottage in the heart of the Kent countryside
Tonbridge
Stay at this family-friendly cottage in Tonbridge. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios and Netflix. Popular attractions Leeds Castle and Weald of Kent Golf Club ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (62 reviews)
Wonderful rural cottage
"Great place for a family seeking a quiet location. We were greeted by our gracious host, who showed us the cottage and gave us recommendations for nearby dining and places of interest - of which there are many. Watching cows and rabbits graze in the pasture was quite relaxing. Highly ..."

Reviewed on 16 Jun 2024

A pretty 4* detached rural holiday cottage in the heart of the Kent countryside
Westciti Caroco Aparthotel
Westciti Caroco Aparthotel
3.5 out of 5
35 Morland Avenue, Croydon, England
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Croydon. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (371 reviews)
A gem in Morland Avenue
"This accommodation was more than what I expected. It had all the facilities necessary to ensure a good stay. The staff were helpful and accommodating. I was near enough for relatives to visit and had a good, comfortable stay."

Reviewed on 25 Jun 2025

Westciti Caroco Aparthotel
1 Bed Studio in Dartford Town - Orchard Theatre
1 Bed Studio in Dartford Town - Orchard Theatre
3 out of 5
Dartford, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Dartford. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Bluewater Shopping Centre and Lakeside ...
1 Bed Studio in Dartford Town - Orchard Theatre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Tonbridge

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
4
5 - Excellent 29%
4 - Good
8
4 - Good 57%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 7%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Tonbridge is a great town offering a wide variety of shops and restaurant

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice town. Pity about the hotel

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

highly recommended

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A beautiful place to visit

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

We visited the church in Tudley that has the famous Marc Chagall stained glass. This is definitely worth seeing if you have a couple of hours. Tonbridge itself was less impressive though there are some decent restaurants...

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I didn’t have time to look around but it seemed a lovely little village

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