Tonbridge Area Guide

Tonbridge is asmall beautiful town in rural Kent with excellent transport links to London, Tonbridge offers you the best of both worlds. With everything from country parks to stylish shops on the doorstep, property in Tonbridge also benefits from excellent schools and leisure facilities. It allows for a quick escape into the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Welcome to Tonbridge

Boasting a scenic location on the River Medway, Tonbridge is a friendly town with strong community ties. It has beautiful natural surroundings, historical buildings and even its own castle. But there are many modern attractions close by, including walking and cycling routes, an outdoor swimming pool and a regenerated high street brimming with independent retailers, bars and cafés.

Why families love Tonbridge

Families are often attracted to Tonbridge because of the highly rated schools nearby. There's St Margaret Clitherow and Slade Primary Schools, Stocks Green, Sussex Road and Woodlands for little ones. For older kids, there's Tonbridge Grammar, Weald of Kent Grammar and The Judd School, as well as Hillview, Hayesbrook and Hugh Christie. Local independent schools include Sackville and Tonbridge schools.

Getting around in Tonbridge

Tonbridge is close to the A21 and A26, providing easy road links to London and Maidstone. There are several train stations close by, including Tonbridge, Hildenborough, Leigh, High Brooms, Penhurst, Tunbridge Wells and Paddock Wood. Trains depart Tonbridge every 10-20 minutes for London Bridge, Waterloo and Charing Cross. With journey times of less than 40 minutes, it’s ideal for commuting and day trips.

A short history of Tonbridge

Tonbridge Castle dates back to just after 1066, but the settlement itself is thought to have stood at the site since Saxon times. Its industrial prowess grew rapidly with the arrival of the Medway Navigation Company, which allowed goods to be transported to Maidstone and London. Tonbridge continued to flourish over the years, and today it boasts one of Kent’s busiest railway stations. Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes grew up nearby, and a statue of her was unveiled outside St Stephen’s Church in 2017.

Sport and Green Spaces in Tonbridge

Sport plays an important role in the local community, and Tonbridge has its own football club, rugby club, running club and even a canoe club. There’s an indoor and outdoor swimming pool in the town, while Tonbridge Park is popular for watersports. For those who enjoy walking and cycling, Hayden Country Park is the perfect day out.

Shopping and Dining in Tonbridge

Close to the town and countryside, property in Tonbridge benefits from a thriving high street and many places to eat and drink. Local favourites include Havet Turkish restaurant, Mamma Mia Italian, the Oriental buffet and Kathmandu, which serves Indian, Nepalese and Himalayan fine dining. National chains such as Pizza Express, Wetherspoons and Costa are well represented, while The Carpenter’s Arms comes highly recommended for dinner and drinks.