Royal Tunbridge Wells Historic Sites
Historic Sites in Royal Tunbridge Wells, England
Royal Tunbridge Wells Historic Sites
Category types
Types of Attractions
Sights & Landmarks
Sights & Landmarks
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Historic Sites • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
What travellers are saying
- Jacquie HSouthampton, UK338 contributionsbeautiful gardens and walks, take the time to enjoy the beauty of the nature around, we loved this place, be prepared to walk a long way, but there are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy the sights and smells and sounds,Written 28 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jon HLewes, UK27 contributionsWe decided to take our 3-year-old grandson out one last time before he returned to school. Groombridge Place came up in discussion as a possible place to visit.
It was twenty years plus since our last visit with our children.
Having checked out details and noted it was under new management after closing in 2018 our expectations we managed by the statement on the website about improvements being carried out and our patience would be appreciated while this is carried out.
We tried to book online the night before and apply a 25% summer discount. This was not possible so we tried the following day (the day we intend to visit) only to find you can only book at least 24 hours in advance, So no discount then.
We still decide to go. On arrival at 2 pm we followed the sign to the carpark & coach park and ignored the handwritten sign for car parking. This meant we parked up in the original parking area and had a short walk to the entrance otherwise the distance was a lot longer.
It looked a bit run done but we paid the entrance fee which we felt was reasonable. When we asked if there was a map. We were told that they were waiting for new ones to be delivered and we could take a picture of the one they had in the shop.
We set of with our charge to see the Zedonk and birds of prey display.
Having time to spare before the show started. We carried on walking into the woods to see what was on offer and found the play area which was impressive and decided to come later.
We walked up into the woods further at which point our grandson wanted to use the toilet. I looked at the map on my phone and could see there was one close by which we went to. On arrival there was no toilet to be seen and not signs to show were the nearest one was. We decided to walk back to the entrance where we knew there was a toilet so 10 minutes later and with a little boy who was a little distressed by now because he was desperate, we arrived the toilet. It was untidy and needed a good clean. Because of this he couldn't go and was distraught. We calmed him down and had a drink in the cafe so we could be close to the toilet.
We purchased 2 teas and a small cake and felt the cost was a little steep but accepted this, but they were served in take away cups we had to ask for the cake as they forgot this item with no napkins available when asked we had to take these from the ice cream counter.
All the staff seemed to be young and have their minds on other matters such as their phones. so not impressed at all.
We tried again with the toilet, but to no avail we pressed on to see the Birds of Prey display, which was impressive, Especially seeing three black kites flying at the same time. We all enjoyed this part of our visit. We then went back into the woods and walked the boardwalk which although a bit run down was enjoyed by us all. the swings needed upgrading though. Making our way through the rest of the 'Enchanted woods' the original grottos and landscaped areas had definitely lost their Enchantment being very run down. There was lots of climbing and swing opportunities though.
We then had to take him back to the toilet another long walk!!! 30minute later we continued our walk though the woods. We spotted a group of fallow deer which was exciting.
We carried on and played on the rest of the climbing equipment of which there was a lot of to choose from this was late in the day about 5.30pm and we were the only people there. We had a drink at the kiosk again expensive and found another toilet at last.
We finished playing in the woods and made our way back to the car park leaving at 6pm.
In summary, we were initially disappointed because of the lack of toilets or proper signage and the poor service from the staff. Toilet by play area in the woods were the best on site having been recently refurbished.
The facilities need further improvement and hopefully in time this will happen.
The Bird of prey display was very good. With plenty of areas for kids to run around and let of steam and areas for adults to walk and take in the gardens and animals.
It does make a for a good family day out just don't expect all the amenities of more commercial venues.Written 7 September 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Geoff HSissinghurst, UK17,437 contributionsOn the off chance my wife and I decided to stop at the Brown Trout for lunch. They were very busy. We were welcomed warmly but, as we had not booked a table, we could only be seated at a table in the bar area. Our drinks order was taken promptly (there's plenty of choice available, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic)and we didn't have to wait too long before our food order was taken. Despite being busy, we did not have to wait all that long for our food. We both ordered spare ribs. When our meals came they were well-presented, very tasty and cooked just right (the meat just fell off the ribs). The portion sizes were ample and good value for money. All-in-all, an excellent lunch.Written 25 November 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Geoff HSissinghurst, UK17,437 contributionsWhilst the main chalybeate spring in royal Tunbridge Wells is in the town in The Pantiles, this is an easier one to see in the town's Dunorlan Park. Whilstthe waters from chalybeate springs were once considered to be a cure for every known remedy, it is not recommended that you drink the waters from this spring. An interesting piece of history, an information board gives full information.Written 29 July 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- daisy1312potterAlton, UK66 contributionsThe memorial is kept up together you can read all the names on it. There is a seat beside it so you can rest after walking.Written 1 August 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Geoff HCranbrook, UK12,175 contributionsThe Portland stone, cenotaph-style Pembury War Memorial was dedicated in September 1921 by Rev H Sinclair Brooke. Rev. Brooke would have known many of the Pembury men who gave their lives in the First World War because he had been the Vicar of Pembury for the twenty years rom 1898 to 1918. The Memorial stands 16 feet high and the original cost was ÂŁ365.19s.4d (ÂŁ365.97). The names of the 49 fatalities from the First World War were originally engraved on a stone plaque but, after Pembury suffered 17 fatalities in the Second World War, it was decided that there would bed two matching bronze plaques. As these bronze plaques tarnished over the years and as there were eight misspelt names and as a request had been received to add a further World War I fatality, in 2018 new stone plaques were engraved. These plaques were in position, and the Memorial refurbished, in time for Remembrance Sunday on 11 November 2018; the Centenary of the cessation of the First World War. The Memorial, however, gives the dates of the First World War as being 1914 to 1919. 1919 is not a mistake. Although Germany had formally surrendered on 11 November 2018, on 28 June 2019 Germany and the Allied Nations (including Britain, France, Italy and Russia) signed the Treaty of Versailles, formally ending the First World War.Written 20 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Geoff HCranbrook, UK12,175 contributionsMatfield War Memorial, adjacent to St Luke's Church, is made of sandstone and comprises a tall, plain Latin cross with a downturned sword. On the memorial are inscribed the names of 26 fatalities from the First World War to which have been added the names of 10 fatalities from World War 2. There are two sets of brothers from the First World War; A Clarke, who was aged 17 when he died on 3 March 1917, and his elder brother T Clarke, who died on 24 November 1917. A Clarke is buried in the graveyard of St Luke's Church. The second set of brothers in C Collins and F Collins. Whilst the name of C Collins is on the Memorial the name of F Collins is not. F Collins was aged 20 when he died on 20 May 1916 and he is buried in the Amara War Cemetery, Iraq. There is an interesting Battalion mentioned on the Memorial. G Playford was in the Kent Cyclist Battalion when he died. The Kent Cyclist Battalion was a bicycle infantry battalion of the Territorial Force. The Territorial Force was a part-time volunteer component of the British Army created in 1908 to supplement British Land Forces without resorting to conscription. The Kent Cyclist Battalion was formed at Tonbridge, Kent on 1 April 1908. There is another famous surname on the Memorial; Sassoon. Second Lieutenant Hamo Sassoon was mortally wounded at Gallipoli. He died on 1 November 1915, aged 28, on board the Hospital Ship SS Kildonan Castle and was buried at sea. Hamo Sassoon's more famous brother, who survived the war, was Siegfried Sassoon, one of the "War Poets".Written 13 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
