Birchden Wood
Groombridge, Kent/Sussex border
Birchden Wood is a Forestry England woodland of mostly native broadleaf trees just south of Tunbridge Wells, right next to the climbing crag at Harrison's Rocks. It has an easy access trail with sculptures along the way, a picnic area and a coffee trailer, which makes it an easy family outing.
Highlights
- A 1.5km easy access trail through beech woodland with sculptures
- Picnic area with one fixed barbecue that is free to use on a first come basis
- Crag Coffee trailer in the car park from March to October
- Harrison's Rocks sandstone crag right next door
Good to know
- Do not bring your own or disposable barbecues
- Horse riding is not allowed
- Toilets on site
- The wood is just over the border in East Sussex
Getting there
Birchden Wood, Eridge Road, near Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9NJParking: Forestry England car park with barrierless number-plate recognition; pay by card, phone or RingGo (location code 31073).
Get directionsChecked on 30 October 2026 against forestryengland.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
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More things to do in Tunbridge Wells
Nearby
Harrison's Rocks
Harrison's Rocks is one of the best known sandstone climbing crags in the South East, a long line of rock in woodland about a mile south of Groombridge. It is owned by the British Mountaineering Council and suits everyone from first-time climbers to experienced ones, and families often come to watch and picnic.
Birchden Vineyards
Birchden is a family-run vineyard in the countryside outside Groombridge, with 23 acres of vines set around lakes and a wildflower meadow. A guided walk through the vines ends with three of its wines, and the indoor café serves brunch and lunch all year, so it works for families as well as wine lovers.
Smiles Sensory and Family Farm
Smiles is a small, volunteer-run farm on nearly four acres outside Eridge, set up as a sensory farm for people with learning difficulties and mental health needs and now open to families too. Visits are private and paced to suit each guest, with goats to walk, rabbits and guinea pigs to cuddle and marshmallows over an open fire.