Tenterden Area Guide

Situated on the edge of the Weald, Tenterden is a friendly rural town steeped in history. With its combination of beautiful architecture and scenic countryside surroundings, property in Tenterden also benefits from modern shopping amenities, stylish restaurants and outdoor attractions on the doorstep.

Welcome to Tenterden

Tenterden is sometimes known as the 'Jewel of the Weald' with its picturesque high street lined with trees and grand Georgian buildings. This friendly town is home to a vibrant mix of cafés, coffee shops, and independent stores selling everything from antiques to jewellery and gifts. There are excellent sports and leisure facilities and scenic walking and cycling routes around the town that take in charming villages and idyllic countryside.

Tenterden is a great move for families

Families looking for property in Tenterden are often attracted by the highly-rated local schools. For little ones, there's Tenterden, Woodchurch and St Michael’s primary schools, while Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre, Highworth Grammar and the Norton Knatchbull School in Ashford are all highly rated for older pupils. Ashford College and South Kent College are also within easy reach.

Getting around in Tenterden

There are three train stations close to Tenterden – Headcorn, Pluckley and Appledore. Each enjoys speedy connections to Ashford International, with journeys taking around 10 to 15 minutes. From Ashford, it's just a short journey into London, with regular services to Victoria, Charing Cross and St Pancras.

A short history of Tenterden

Tenterden rose to prominence in the 14th century as a port town and a centre for wool manufacturing. Today, it’s more widely known for its markets, folk festivals and May Fayre, as well as its vineyards. The sparkling wine served at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge came from the Chapel Down winery. Pay a visit to its vineyards, and you can enjoy a guided tour, followed by a tasting of its award-winning still and sparkling wines.

Things to do in Tenterden

Tenterden has plenty of amenities to keep sports fans busy, including a leisure centre, bowls club, cricket club and several nearby golf courses. For family days out, there’s the Tenterden Steam Railway which takes you on a scenic journey to Bodiam castle, as well as the Rare Breeds Centre in nearby Ashford, where kids can meet cute and cuddly bunnies, chicks and farm animals.

Shopping and Entertainment in Tenterden

Tenterden high street is packed with boutique shops and independent businesses, from cafés and bakeries to florists and art galleries. Property in Tenterden is also ideal for those who want to be spoilt for choice when dining out. There's Hoof & Hook, which serves up steaks and burgers and Ozgur Turkish Restaurant and national names, including Prezzo. Excellent pubs and bars, such as The White Lion, the Vine Inn and The Woolpack, are plentiful, too.