Edenbridge sits on the River Eden in the far west of Kent, with Hever Castle, Chartwell, Chiddingstone Castle and Penshurst Place all within a short drive.
Photo: N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0A volunteer-run social history museum in a listed building on Edenbridge High Street, telling the story of the Kent Eden Valley through its people, buildings and landscape. Displays include the Chiddingstone Hoard and a Second World War shelter in the courtyard.
Image: Hever Castle & GardensHever Castle is a double-moated 14th-century castle near Edenbridge, rich in Tudor history and set in 125 acres of gardens. Tour the castle rooms, then explore the gardens, lake walk, mazes and play areas, with a miniature model house exhibition and a military museum on site too. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds, and there is enough to fill a full day.
Image: ChartwellChartwell was the family home of Sir Winston Churchill, on a hillside near Westerham. Walk through rooms of the family house, see the largest collection of Churchill's paintings in his studio, and explore the rose garden, walled garden and woodland that inspired him. Allow half a day, and book a timed ticket for the house.
Image: Chiddingstone CastleChiddingstone Castle is a historic house in the countryside near Edenbridge, home to wide-ranging historic collections. Visit the house and tea room in season, or come at any time of year to walk the free grounds, lake and woodland trails. It is a quieter alternative to the bigger castles nearby.
Image: National TrustToys Hill is a National Trust woodland and heath near Brasted, with far-reaching views and a web of waymarked walks and bridleways. Look for the ruins of Weardale Manor, the well sunk by National Trust founder Octavia Hill and the old water tower now used by hibernating bats. It is ideal for a dog walk, a longer hike linking to Emmetts Garden and Chartwell, or a ride on the bridleways.
Image: Bore PlaceBore Place is a 500-acre organic estate and charity near Chiddingstone, in the Kent countryside, with marked circular walks through fields and woodland, some with views of Bough Beech Reservoir. Buy organic vegetables, yoghurt, kefir, honey and ice cream from the Farm Gate, let children loose in the playground and look out for seasonal events such as foraging walks. It suits families, walkers and dog owners, and a walk takes an hour or two.
Image: Emmetts GardenEmmetts Garden is an Edwardian hillside garden at Ide Hill, near Sevenoaks, planted with rare trees and shrubs. Wander the rock garden, rose garden and woodland, which offer something to see through the year, then stop at the Old Stables Tea Room. Allow two to three hours.
Photo: DS Pugh, CC BY-SA 2.0Stubbs Wood is a long, narrow strip of ancient woodland on the Greensand Ridge near Ide Hill, with glimpses south over the Weald to Bough Beech Reservoir. Walk the ridge paths under oak and beech, with bluebells in spring and patches of rare heathland. Combine it with nearby Ide Hill for a longer walk of an hour or two.
Photo: The Little Brown Jug, Chiddingstone CausewayThe Little Brown Jug is a characterful brick pub near Penshurst, Chiddingstone and Hever that is built for families. Book your own tiki hut, sit under the retractable roof whatever the weather, and let children loose on the adventure playground while you eat. The menu runs from breakfast and pub classics to Sunday roasts with a kids' version, and dogs have their own menu. Walks to Chiddingstone and Hever Castle start close by.
Photo: Marathon, CC BY-SA 2.0The Georgian town house in Westerham where General James Wolfe, who won the Battle of Quebec in 1759, spent his childhood. Rooms are set out as the family knew them in the 1730s, with a small garden of period planting and an exhibition in the Coach House. It pairs well with Chartwell, a few minutes up the road.
Image: Penshurst Place & GardensPenshurst Place is a 14th-century manor house with 11 acres of formal gardens in the village of Penshurst, between Tonbridge and Edenbridge. See the medieval house and state rooms, wander the gardens, then let children burn off energy in the adventure playground and woodland trail. It suits families and garden lovers and comfortably fills half a day.
Image: Edenbridge Bonfire SocietyKent's best-known bonfire night starts with a torch-lit carnival procession through Edenbridge and finishes with a big fireworks display at the Recreation Ground. The society builds two giant effigies each year, and they are the talking point of the night.
Image: Hever CastleHever Castle's gardens at their most colourful, with the Boston ivy on the castle turning red and beech, liquidambar, tulip trees and Japanese maples lighting up the grounds. Staff post the best spots each day at the entry point and information hut.
Image: Hever Castle and GardensFalconry experiences take place on select dates between October and November 2026 at Hever Castle and Gardens in Hever, near Edenbridge. Visitors can see birds of prey up close and learn about falconry. Booking is recommended, and the event page lists the specific dates and times.
Image: Hever CastleHever turns its grounds over to a mad scientist theme for half-term, with a trail, a science show and a goggles craft. Most of it is included in the normal admission, which makes it an easy family day out in West Kent.
Image: Hever Castle and GardensNurture in Nature is a nature-focused experience running at Hever Castle and Gardens in Hever from 17 October to 22 November 2026. It is a workshop and outdoors activity suited to families, couples and friends. Booking is recommended, and full times and details are on the event page.
Image: Hever Castle and GardensAn evening event at Hever Castle and Gardens in Hever, held on 19 October 2026, looking at the image of Anne Boleyn after hours. Booking is recommended and full details are on the event page. It suits families, couples and friends interested in Tudor history.
Image: Hever CastleSee Hever Castle after dark on a 50-minute theatrical tour through its historic rooms, where actors play figures drawn from the castle's history and folklore. Expect a sorrowful Thomas Boleyn, the elusive Grey Lady and other characters in the shadows. The evening starts with a drink in the Moat Café, and groups are capped at 20.
Image: Hever Castle and GardensA silk painting workshop takes place on 31 October 2026 at Hever Castle and Gardens in Hever, near Edenbridge. Booking is required, and the event page gives the times and price. It suits adults and families interested in creative craft activities.
Image: Hever CastleA one-day local Christmas fair in Hever Castle's Guthrie Pavilion, selling gifts, gadgets, textiles and decorations, with the castle and gardens open at a reduced price. Proceeds support the village school and church.
Photo: N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0A volunteer-run social history museum in a listed building on Edenbridge High Street, telling the story of the Kent Eden Valley through its people, buildings and landscape. Displays include the Chiddingstone Hoard and a Second World War shelter in the courtyard.
Image: Hever Castle & GardensHever Castle is a double-moated 14th-century castle near Edenbridge, rich in Tudor history and set in 125 acres of gardens. Tour the castle rooms, then explore the gardens, lake walk, mazes and play areas, with a miniature model house exhibition and a military museum on site too. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds, and there is enough to fill a full day.
Image: ChartwellChartwell was the family home of Sir Winston Churchill, on a hillside near Westerham. Walk through rooms of the family house, see the largest collection of Churchill's paintings in his studio, and explore the rose garden, walled garden and woodland that inspired him. Allow half a day, and book a timed ticket for the house.
Image: Chiddingstone CastleChiddingstone Castle is a historic house in the countryside near Edenbridge, home to wide-ranging historic collections. Visit the house and tea room in season, or come at any time of year to walk the free grounds, lake and woodland trails. It is a quieter alternative to the bigger castles nearby.
Photo: The Little Brown Jug, Chiddingstone CausewayThe Little Brown Jug is a characterful brick pub near Penshurst, Chiddingstone and Hever that is built for families. Book your own tiki hut, sit under the retractable roof whatever the weather, and let children loose on the adventure playground while you eat. The menu runs from breakfast and pub classics to Sunday roasts with a kids' version, and dogs have their own menu. Walks to Chiddingstone and Hever Castle start close by.
Photo: Marathon, CC BY-SA 2.0The Georgian town house in Westerham where General James Wolfe, who won the Battle of Quebec in 1759, spent his childhood. Rooms are set out as the family knew them in the 1730s, with a small garden of period planting and an exhibition in the Coach House. It pairs well with Chartwell, a few minutes up the road.
Photo: N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0A volunteer-run social history museum in a listed building on Edenbridge High Street, telling the story of the Kent Eden Valley through its people, buildings and landscape. Displays include the Chiddingstone Hoard and a Second World War shelter in the courtyard.
Image: National TrustToys Hill is a National Trust woodland and heath near Brasted, with far-reaching views and a web of waymarked walks and bridleways. Look for the ruins of Weardale Manor, the well sunk by National Trust founder Octavia Hill and the old water tower now used by hibernating bats. It is ideal for a dog walk, a longer hike linking to Emmetts Garden and Chartwell, or a ride on the bridleways.
Image: Bore PlaceBore Place is a 500-acre organic estate and charity near Chiddingstone, in the Kent countryside, with marked circular walks through fields and woodland, some with views of Bough Beech Reservoir. Buy organic vegetables, yoghurt, kefir, honey and ice cream from the Farm Gate, let children loose in the playground and look out for seasonal events such as foraging walks. It suits families, walkers and dog owners, and a walk takes an hour or two.
Photo: DS Pugh, CC BY-SA 2.0Stubbs Wood is a long, narrow strip of ancient woodland on the Greensand Ridge near Ide Hill, with glimpses south over the Weald to Bough Beech Reservoir. Walk the ridge paths under oak and beech, with bluebells in spring and patches of rare heathland. Combine it with nearby Ide Hill for a longer walk of an hour or two.
