Tonbridge

Close to Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells, the town of Tonbridge was first settled in the Iron Age when a fort was built to defend an important crossing on the River Medway. The Normans then chose a site beside the river for what is now reputedly England's finest example of a motte and bailey castle. With a splendid 13th-century Gatehouse, Tonbridge Castle is set in landscaped gardens overlooking the River Medway and from the battlements there is a panoramic view over the rooftops of Tonbridge and along the river as it winds its way through the town. From Tonbridge you can even take a boat trip into the open countryside. A drive through rich farmland will bring you to the stunning Victorian oast houses at the Hop Farm Country Park. Broadview Gardens, at the College of Horticulture and Agriculture in Hadlow, includes a national collection of hellebores and Japanese anemones. Linger in the market town of West Malling with its red gabled houses and picturesque half-timbered cottages. There is a network of footpaths and bridleways so you can plan anything from a short walk to a full day's hike. The choice is yours!