Top 5 Castles around Tunbridge Wells
Best castles around Tunbridge Wells offer a rich historical landscape in the heart of Kent and East Sussex. This region features a diverse collection of historic castles, providing insights into various periods of English history and architectural styles. The area is characterized by its picturesque settings, often featuring expansive grounds and gardens. These notable landmarks provide opportunities to explore centuries of history and natural features.
Best castles around Tunbridge Wells
- The most popular castles is Scotney Castle and Gardens, a historical site featuring both a ruined medieval castle and a Victorian country mansion. Its gardens are known for their picturesque style, with collections of rhododendrons, azaleas, and wisteria.
- Another must-see spot is Sissinghurst Castle Garden, a historical site and garden. Visitors can explore a world-famous garden created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, known for its unique design and beauty.
- Visitors also love Groombridge Place Manor House, a historical site with sculpted formal gardens and a moated 17th-century manor house. The gardens are open to the public and include a pirates playground and treetop walkway.
- Tunbridge Wells is known for its medieval, Victorian, and motte and bailey castles. This variety allows visitors to explore different architectural styles and historical periods, from fortified structures to elegant country estates.
- The castles around Tunbridge Wells are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 60 upvotes and over 110 photos shared.
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Highlight • Castle
Translated by Google •
Tip by
Scotney Castle and Gardens
Highlight • Historical Site
The gardens, which are a celebrated example of the Picturesque style, are open to the public. The central feature is the ruins of a medieval, moated manor house, Scotney Old Castle, which is on an island on a small lake. The lake is surrounded by sloping, wooded gardens with fine collections of rhododendrons, azaleas and kalmia for spring colour, summer wisteria and roses, and spectacular autumn colour.
At the top of the garden stands a house which was built to replace the Old Castle between 1835 and 1843. This is known as Scotney New Castle, or simply Scotney Castle, and was designed by Anthony Salvin. It is an early, and unusually restrained, example of Tudor Revival architectural style in 19th century Britain. Following the death of the resident, Elizabeth Hussey, in 2006, this house was opened to the public for the first time on 6 June 2007
Tip by
Sign up now to discover places like this
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
Sign up for free
Groombridge Place Manor House
Highlight • Historical Site
The main part of the village ("New Groombridge") is located in Parish Withyham in the Wealden district in East Sussex. In Neu Groombridge is a primary school with the Church of St. Thomas, part of the Chichester Diocese of the Church of England. There is a general store, a bakery, a post office, a hairdressing salon, a car dealership and a public house.
The older part of the village ("Old Groombridge") is located in Parish Speldhurst in the Borough of Tunbridge Wells in Kent and consists mainly of the Groombridge Place estate. St. John's Church, part of the Rochester diocese, is in Alt Groombridge. There is also an inn, but no shops.
The border between the two counties East Sussex and Kent and thus between old and new Groombridge forms the River Grom, which flows further west from the right into the River Medway.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
Scotney Castle House
Highlight • Monument
Margaret Thatcher lived in one of them during her time as Prime Minister.
Here she was "easier to protect" than in London.
Now everything has been returned to the way it was before the conversion 😉
Translated by Google •
Tip by
Groombridge Place Manor House and Moat
Highlight • Historical Site
The house and its bridges were designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the same architect who re-designed St Paul's Cathedral after the Great Fire of London.
Although the house is privately owned, you can visit the gardens. With a pirates playground and treetop walkway, it's also a great place for kids.
The gardens are only open during summer. You can find more information, here: groombridgeplace.com
Tip by
View of Scotney Castle
Highlight • Castle
The estate is now in the care of the National Trust. For further details see their website nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle
Tip by
Castle Woods Motte and Bailey Earthworks
Highlight • Historical Site
On the photo, the semicircular protrusion on the bottom left corner of the wood contains the mound where the castle once stood
Tip by
Start today with a free account
Your next adventure awaits.
Login or Signup
Popular around Tunbridge Wells
High Weald Landscape Trail — Hike the medieval heart of the South East
Downs and Weald Way – From London to the sea, a great adventure
Discover London’s Outdoor Playgrounds
Beautiful walks in Kent - the garden of England
Hiking around Tunbridge Wells
Running Trails around Tunbridge Wells
Road Cycling Routes around Tunbridge Wells
Cycling around Tunbridge Wells
MTB Trails around Tunbridge Wells
Gravel biking around Tunbridge Wells
Other adventures around Tunbridge Wells
Tips from the Community
Groombridge Place is currently closed but the walks around it are lovely. Plenty of streams and a pond with ducks and geese. There is also a train track that has old steen trains going past.
0
0
Describing Sissinghurst Castle and Garden is not easy. Words like historical, poetic, iconic, beautiful, colorful, breathtaking almost come close to reality. It is a sanctuary dedicated to beauty. Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle and created a now world-famous garden in a very unique way.
8
0
The complex is dominated by the manor house on the hill and the ruin further down in the valley. The ruin was "created" from a functioning house several hundred years old by the owners of the manor house in order to obtain a romantic view. The two buildings are embedded in a beautiful garden. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle
0
0
After the Hussey family gave up the house and the last resident of the family died, the house was initially converted into 6 apartments. Margaret Thatcher lived in one of them during her time as Prime Minister. Here she was "easier to protect" than in London. Now everything has been returned to the way it was before the conversion 😉
3
0
This garden, which is not so well known internationally, gave us so much joy! Incredible flowers, and that in April. The "new" house can be visited, the old one is just a very picturesque ruin. Entry per adult £17, NT members excluded. Parking was free today, the guidebook said £4 (?) Café extremely friendly and really good cake.
3
0
A National Trust garden. Currently £17 per adult, parking £4. Do what we do and become a temporary member, you save a lot of money if you visit several buildings or gardens and also a lot of parking fees 😉
6
0
On the lower part of the hill, at the moat, is Scotney Old Castle, built on an island in the 14th century. Further up the hill sits Scotney New Castle, built between 1843 and 1843 when the original property started to crumble. The estate is now in the care of the National Trust. For further details see their website nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle
0
0
This Victorian mansion was built in 1837. Constructed from sandstone quarried from the grounds of the Old Castle, its privileged position offers splendid views of the castle and the estate. As a curiosity, during Margaret Thatcher's time as Prime Minister, she had an apartment in this building. Currently, it is owned by the National Trust, and you can find more information, plan your visit, and check the opening times at: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/kent/scotney-castle
0
0
Frequently Asked Questions
Which castles near Tunbridge Wells offer a glimpse into different historical periods?
The region boasts a diverse collection of castles. For a deep dive into Tudor history, visit Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. To see a medieval ruin alongside a Victorian mansion, explore Scotney Castle and Gardens. Penshurst Place showcases a remarkably preserved 14th-century manor, while Bodiam Castle is a quintessential 14th-century moated fortification. For an interactive experience of a Norman motte and bailey, Tonbridge Castle is ideal.
Are there family-friendly castles to visit near Tunbridge Wells?
Yes, several castles cater to families. Groombridge Place Manor House offers sculpted gardens, a pirates playground, and a treetop walkway. Hever Castle has mazes and extensive grounds for children to explore. Scotney Castle and Gardens provides beautiful gardens and the intrigue of a ruined castle. Tonbridge Castle offers an interactive historical experience that engages all ages.
Which castles are known for their gardens near Tunbridge Wells?
The area is renowned for its stunning castle gardens. Hever Castle features impressive Italian, English rose, and Tudor gardens, complete with mazes. Scotney Castle and Gardens is celebrated for its picturesque style, rhododendrons, azaleas, and wisteria. Sissinghurst Castle Garden is a world-famous garden created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. Penshurst Place also boasts eleven acres of formal walled gardens, including an Italian Garden and Rose Garden.
What outdoor activities can I do near the castles around Tunbridge Wells?
The region offers various outdoor activities. You can find easy hikes, such as the Scotney Castle loop from Lamberhurst or the Sissinghurst Castle & estate loop. For gravel biking, consider routes like the 'Groombridge Place Manor House – Forest Way Cycle Path loop from Tunbridge Wells'. Road cyclists can enjoy longer routes like 'Tunbridge Wells to Bodium Castle loop' or 'Hever Castle & Gardens – Hever to Markbeech Climb loop'. You can find more details on these routes in the Gravel biking around Tunbridge Wells, Easy hikes around Tunbridge Wells, and Road Cycling Routes around Tunbridge Wells guides.
Are there any castles near Tunbridge Wells that are particularly picturesque or iconic?
Bodiam Castle is widely considered one of the most picturesque and famous late medieval castles in England, known for its iconic moated setting. Scotney Castle and Gardens also offers a romantic ruined castle reflecting in its moat, designed to look like a painting.
What is the best time of year to visit the castles around Tunbridge Wells?
Many castles and their gardens are particularly beautiful in spring and summer when flowers are in bloom, such as the rhododendrons and azaleas at Scotney Castle and Gardens. Autumn also offers spectacular colours in the wooded grounds. Some gardens, like those at Groombridge Place Manor House, are only open during summer. Check individual castle websites for specific seasonal opening times and events.
Can I find indoor activities at the castles near Tunbridge Wells?
Yes, several castles offer significant indoor experiences. Hever Castle features panelled rooms with fine furniture, tapestries, antiques, and a notable collection of Tudor portraits. Penshurst Place allows visitors to explore its medieval Baron's Hall and State Rooms. Tonbridge Castle provides an interactive audio tour through its gatehouse, re-creating 900 years of history.
Are there options for refreshments or tea rooms at the castles?
Many of the larger castles and estates typically offer tea rooms or cafes. For example, Sissinghurst Castle Garden has a restaurant that is highly recommended by visitors. It's always a good idea to check the specific castle's website for current dining options before your visit.
Which castle near Tunbridge Wells is known for its strong connection to English royalty?
Hever Castle is famously known as the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII's second wife and mother of Elizabeth I, making it a significant site for Tudor history enthusiasts. Penshurst Place also has royal connections, having been used by Henry VIII as a hunting lodge.
Are there any less crowded or hidden gem castles near Tunbridge Wells?
While popular sites can get busy, exploring places like Castle Woods Motte and Bailey Earthworks offers a different, more natural experience of a medieval fortification ruin, focusing on the earthworks rather than a preserved structure. For a blend of ruin and nature, the old castle at Scotney Castle and Gardens provides a picturesque and often tranquil setting.
What kind of natural features can I expect to see around these castles?
The castles are often set within beautiful natural landscapes. Scotney Castle and Gardens features a lake, wooded gardens, and even a quarry garden with a 100-million-year-old dinosaur footprint impression. Bodiam Castle is famous for its formidable moat, which is fed by springs. Many castles are surrounded by extensive parkland, offering scenic walks and views of the Kent countryside.
Most popular routes around Tunbridge Wells
Most popular attractions around Tunbridge Wells
Get inspired with the komoot mobile app
Didn’t find what you were looking for?
Explore Tunbridge Wells’s best castles region by region:
Explore more
Looking for the best castles somewhere else? Discover other guides around Tunbridge Wells:
