Fodor's To Europe!

photo | map
Days 3-4
Next stop: Salisbury Previous stop: London Return to full itinerary »

Royal Tunbridge Wells gets a bad rap as a middlebrow London suburb, but it's a fine base for exploring. Home to a healing spring and close to some of England's most impressive manors and gardens, the Wells have more to offer than just shopping and solitude.
Learn more about Royal Tunbridge Wells »

  • History
  • Architecture

Experiences

  • About 10 miles (16.1 km) northwest is Hever Castle, a classic structure with turrets and battlements that was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn.
  • Penhurst Place, 7 miles (11.3 km) to the northwest, is one of England's finest medieval manor homes; the hall was built in the 14th century.

Side Trips

  • Sissinghurst, home to Vita Sackville-West's incredible floral displays, is surrounded by the beautiful Sissinghurst Castle.
  • Knole, the 16th-century home where Sackville-West grew up, is also where she set her book The Edwardians.

Learn More

Free Fodor's Newsletter

Subscribe today for weekly travel inspiration, tips, and special offers.

 Fodor's Trip Planning Ideas