Photo: Helmut Zozmann, CC BY-SA 2.0Goudhurst is a hilltop village with long views over the Weald, around 10 miles from Royal Tunbridge Wells. Scotney Castle, Bedgebury National Pinetum, Bewl Water and the old cloth town of Cranbrook are all close by.
Goudhurst's high street runs steeply down from St Mary's Church at the top of the hill to the village pond at the bottom, a climb that featured in the Tour de France in 2007. The church dates from the 12th century and its tower, at around 150 metres above sea level, is one of the highest points for miles; Visit Tunbridge Wells says that on a clear day you can count dozens of church spires from it. The village has a long history, and in 1747 local farmers formed a militia that beat the Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers in a gun fight. Roadside stalls sell local strawberries and cherries in season.
The village is about 10 miles from Royal Tunbridge Wells and 5 miles from Cranbrook. A free village car park sits behind the pond on Balcombes Hill, reached from the crossroads in the centre. Visit Tunbridge Wells suggests Goudhurst as a base for Scotney Castle, Bedgebury National Pinetum and Bewl Water, where a 13 mile trail around the reservoir is open to walkers and cyclists. Cranbrook is about a ten minute drive away and Sissinghurst Castle gardens are nearby, while Royal Tunbridge Wells is around 25 minutes by car. Award winning vineyards nearby are also worth a visit.
Checked 30 October 2026.
Elphicks Fisheries is a seven-lake coarse and carp fishery in the countryside outside Horsmonden, with lakes laid out for everyone from families having a first go to anglers chasing big carp. All fishing is booked ahead through the Swimbooker app, and the on-site Carp Catchers Cafe serves anglers and visitors.
Photo of Goudhurst: Helmut Zozmann, CC BY-SA 2.0Lower Ladysden is a working farm on Winchet Hill near Goudhurst with pick-your-own crops from spring to autumn and a farm shop. Asparagus comes first, then strawberries and raspberries grown under cover, and in October the pumpkin patch adds rides and food vans for families.
Sprivers Wood is a National Trust woodland just outside Horsmonden, part of an 18th-century estate around Sprivers House. A short circular walk passes the old moat, Second World War trenches from an ammunition dump, sweet chestnut coppice and glades where butterflies bask in summer.
Image: Scotney CastleScotney 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: Bedgebury National Pinetum and ForestBedgebury is Forestry England's National Pinetum, a world-leading collection of over 12,000 specimen trees set among the lakes and valleys of the High Weald near Goudhurst. Wander the pinetum on foot, cycle or mountain bike the forest trails, or let children tackle the play trail. With a cafe at the visitor centre, it can easily fill a day.
Image: Go Ape BedgeburyGo Ape's Treetop Challenge at Bedgebury sends you through the forest canopy on rope crossings, five zip wires and dual Tarzan swings. It suits confident older children, teens, adults and groups after an active few hours, and pairs well with a walk or ride around the rest of Bedgebury.
The Ceramic Studio teaches pottery in two converted barns on an orchard farm near Brenchley, a short drive from Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Paddock Wood. Beginners can book a three-hour taster to try hand building and the wheel, or a full experience day, while regulars sign up for termly classes.
Photo of Cranbrook: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0Hartley Lands Fishery is a day ticket fishery off Swattenden Lane near Cranbrook, with six lakes and a pond that range from a busy coarse lake for beginners to quiet specimen waters with big carp. Swims are first come, first served once you have booked onto a lake.
Photo of Cranbrook: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0Cranbrook's volunteer-run museum fills three floors of a late 15th-century timber-framed house with around 6,000 objects on the town's past, from its cloth-making wealth to the Cranbrook Colony of Victorian painters. Entry is free, and it pairs well with the Union Windmill a short walk away.
Photo of Cranbrook: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0A self-guided walk of ten stops round the old cloth town of Cranbrook, from the Vestry Hall and St Dunstan's Church to the Union Windmill on the hill. Green plaques mark points of interest on the way, and the free map tells the stories behind them.
Photo of Cranbrook: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0Known as the Cathedral of the Weald, St Dunstan's is far bigger than a small market town needs, built on the wealth of Cranbrook's medieval cloth trade. Its golden sandstone stands out among the white weatherboarding of the town, and it is usually open for visitors to look round.
Photo: Bewl WaterBewl 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.
Photo of Cranbrook: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0This roughly 300-seat theatre inside the Cranbrook School grounds began life as a cinema in 1913 and now runs plays, musicals, gigs, comedy and film nights. It is the town's main stage, with a programme that runs from local productions to touring tribute bands and a Christmas show.
Photo of Cranbrook: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0Built in 1814 and still kept in working order, the Union Mill is the tallest surviving smock mill in the British Isles and towers over the rooftops of Cranbrook. Volunteers open it on summer afternoons, when you can climb through the machinery and buy flour ground on site.
The village fireworks night run by the PTA at Leigh Academy Horsmonden, held on the Horsmonden sports ground. All money raised goes to the primary school.
Image: Forestry EnglandBedgebury's Room on the Broom trail gains a Halloween twist in October, with cauldrons to find and a crossword to solve for a sticker. It is an easy, low-cost outing in the pinetum while the autumn colour is at its best.
Image: Go Ape BedgeburyGo Ape Sundown Adventures are evening adventure sessions at Go Ape Bedgebury near Goudhurst, held on selected dates between 16 October and 8 November 2026. Tickets must be bought in advance. The sessions suit families, teenagers and groups.
Image: Bedgebury National Pinetum and ForestForestry England runs a programme of guided walks at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest near Goudhurst, running from 16 October to 8 November 2026. Options include drop-in Discovery tours, Wellbeing walks on Wednesdays and Walk, Talk, Explore sessions on Thursdays, each lasting between one and one and a half hours. The walks suit everyone and are free, with booking recommended except for the Discovery tour.
Photo of Cranbrook: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0A seasonal Halloween trail at Go Ape Bedgebury near Cranbrook, running from 10am on Friday 30 October, Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November. Visitors combine high ropes crossings and zip wires with a themed trail in which a Woodland Wizard needs help finding potion ingredients. It suits families looking for an outdoor Halloween activity, and booking is recommended.
Image: Forestry EnglandA family day at the end of half-term to hear the brand-new Gruffalo story by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo himself is due to make an appearance.
Image: Bedgebury National Pinetum and ForestA guided walk through the National Pinetum at Bedgebury, led by a member of the expert tree team. The 1.5 hour walk covers 2.4 kilometres and explores the collection, recent conservation successes and work to protect threatened tree species. It suits visitors aged 12 and over, with adult supervision.
Image: Forestry EnglandAn evening light trail beneath the giant conifers of the national pinetum, reworked for 2026 with new installations. Look out for the Christmas Cathedral, a new Laser Garden and the tall trees lit against the night sky, plus a possible glimpse of Father Christmas. Food stalls sell hot drinks and treats, and you can toast marshmallows over fire pits.
Image: Bedgebury National Pinetum and ForestA festive light trail runs through Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest near Goudhurst from Friday 21 November 2026 until New Year's Eve. The after-dark route includes millions of lights, colourful projections and new installations, with festive food, drink and seasonal music along the way. It suits families, couples and groups, and tickets must be booked in advance.
Image: Scotney CastleScotney 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.
The Ceramic Studio teaches pottery in two converted barns on an orchard farm near Brenchley, a short drive from Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Paddock Wood. Beginners can book a three-hour taster to try hand building and the wheel, or a full experience day, while regulars sign up for termly classes.
Photo of Cranbrook: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0Cranbrook's volunteer-run museum fills three floors of a late 15th-century timber-framed house with around 6,000 objects on the town's past, from its cloth-making wealth to the Cranbrook Colony of Victorian painters. Entry is free, and it pairs well with the Union Windmill a short walk away.
Photo of Cranbrook: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0Known as the Cathedral of the Weald, St Dunstan's is far bigger than a small market town needs, built on the wealth of Cranbrook's medieval cloth trade. Its golden sandstone stands out among the white weatherboarding of the town, and it is usually open for visitors to look round.
Photo of Cranbrook: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0This roughly 300-seat theatre inside the Cranbrook School grounds began life as a cinema in 1913 and now runs plays, musicals, gigs, comedy and film nights. It is the town's main stage, with a programme that runs from local productions to touring tribute bands and a Christmas show.
Photo of Cranbrook: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0Built in 1814 and still kept in working order, the Union Mill is the tallest surviving smock mill in the British Isles and towers over the rooftops of Cranbrook. Volunteers open it on summer afternoons, when you can climb through the machinery and buy flour ground on site.
Sprivers Wood is a National Trust woodland just outside Horsmonden, part of an 18th-century estate around Sprivers House. A short circular walk passes the old moat, Second World War trenches from an ammunition dump, sweet chestnut coppice and glades where butterflies bask in summer.
Photo of Cranbrook: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0Cranbrook's volunteer-run museum fills three floors of a late 15th-century timber-framed house with around 6,000 objects on the town's past, from its cloth-making wealth to the Cranbrook Colony of Victorian painters. Entry is free, and it pairs well with the Union Windmill a short walk away.
Photo of Cranbrook: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0A self-guided walk of ten stops round the old cloth town of Cranbrook, from the Vestry Hall and St Dunstan's Church to the Union Windmill on the hill. Green plaques mark points of interest on the way, and the free map tells the stories behind them.
Photo of Cranbrook: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0Known as the Cathedral of the Weald, St Dunstan's is far bigger than a small market town needs, built on the wealth of Cranbrook's medieval cloth trade. Its golden sandstone stands out among the white weatherboarding of the town, and it is usually open for visitors to look round.
Photo of Cranbrook: Des Blenkinsopp, CC BY-SA 2.0Built in 1814 and still kept in working order, the Union Mill is the tallest surviving smock mill in the British Isles and towers over the rooftops of Cranbrook. Volunteers open it on summer afternoons, when you can climb through the machinery and buy flour ground on site.
