Bayham Old Abbey
Lamberhurst, Kent/Sussex border
Image: Bayham Old AbbeyBayham Old Abbey is a romantic ruin of golden sandstone in the High Weald, right on the Kent and Sussex border near Lamberhurst. Much of the abbey church, the chapter house and a 14th-century gatehouse survive, set in a landscape shaped by Humphry Repton. It is free, peaceful and dog-friendly, and pairs well with nearby Scotney Castle or Bewl Water.
Highlights
- Sandstone ruins of a 13th to 15th century church
- Chapter house remains
- 14th-century gatehouse
- Repton-designed grounds
- Second-hand bookshop
Good to know
- Dogs on leads are welcome
- There are no toilets or refreshments on site
Getting there
Bayham Old Abbey, Furnace Lane, Little Bayham, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 8LPParking: Small gravel car park on site: £2 for non-members, free for English Heritage members displaying a car sticker.
Get directionsChecked on 15 October 2026 against english-heritage.org.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
Nearby
Photo: Bewl WaterBewl Water
Bewl Water is the South East's largest reservoir, set in the High Weald on the Kent and Sussex border with 13 miles of shoreline. Come for a lakeside walk or bike ride, a watersports session or a summer day on the inflatable Aqua Park, then refuel at the Waterfront Café. It suits families, active groups and dog walkers, and can easily fill a day.
Image: Scotney CastleScotney Castle
Scotney Castle pairs a romantic 14th-century moated castle ruin with a later mansion house on the hill above it, on a National Trust estate near Lamberhurst. Explore the house and the terraced garden that drops down to the old castle, then head out across 780 acres of parkland and Wealden woodland. Allow half a day, or longer with an estate walk.
Image: Dunorlan ParkDunorlan Park
Dunorlan Park is a historic public park on the east side of Tunbridge Wells, centred on a large lake with a path around its edge. Hire a pedal boat, rowing boat or canoe, look out for the ornate fountain and Grecian temple, and let children loose in the natural adventure play area. It is free, dog-friendly and good for a relaxed morning or afternoon.