Photo: Chris Heaton, CC BY-SA 2.0Lamberhurst is a village on the River Teise, about 15 minutes by car from Royal Tunbridge Wells. Scotney Castle is on its edge, and Bewl Water, Bedgebury and Bayham Abbey are close by for walking and cycling.
Lamberhurst sits where the River Teise runs through the centre of the village, with School Hill, Spray Hill and Town Hill climbing steeply away from it. The village once had one of the last ironworks in Kent, and a section of early railings from St Paul's Cathedral, made locally in 1710, came back to the village in 1976 and stands beside the village hall entrance. St Mary's Church, on a site used for worship since Saxon times, has a stained glass window designed by John Piper and hosts the Lamberhurst Music Festival of classical, opera and choral concerts. An oast house stands in the middle of the village.
Scotney Castle, run by the National Trust, is on the outskirts, with a moated castle, gardens and a manor house. Visit Tunbridge Wells also points visitors to Bewl Water, Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Bayham Abbey and a golf course, with walking, cycling, riding and sailing all close at hand. The village common is still used for events, including a Bonfire Night, a summer fair and a New Year's Day fun run. Lamberhurst is no more than 15 minutes' drive from the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells and neighbours Goudhurst and Wadhurst, so it pairs easily with a visit to either.
Checked 30 October 2026.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: 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.
Photo of Royal Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0Kent Axe Throwing runs one-hour coached sessions on a dedicated throwing range in the grounds of Kent Paintball, off Dundale Road on the edge of Tunbridge Wells. After a safety briefing, players start with a tomahawk before moving on to a traditional throwing axe, so no experience is needed.
Image: Lamberhurst Music FestivalPianist Jong-Gyung Park gives a solo recital for the Lamberhurst Music Festival on Friday 13 November 2026. The festival describes her as one of the best pianists in the world, with a long list of orchestral and chamber engagements.
Image: Lamberhurst Music FestivalThe Chapel Choir of Pembroke College, Cambridge, sings a Christmas carol service at St Mary's Church in Lamberhurst on Saturday 12 December 2026. The programme is built around well-known carols, and the festival describes the service as the start of Christmas.
Image: Scotney CastleA display of photographs of Scotney, including the Old Castle and the Hussey family, is shown on the ground floor of the Mansion House at Scotney Castle in Lamberhurst. The display runs from 25 June to 31 October 2026, and the photographs have not been shown before. Booking is recommended, and the event page gives the opening times.
Image: Scotney CastleA display on flapper fashion opens in the Mansion House at Scotney Castle in Lamberhurst from 11 September to 1 November 2026. It features the National Trust's own Schiaparelli designer dress. The display suits visitors interested in fashion history and the 1920s.
Image: Scotney CastleGuided behind-the-scenes tours of the Old Castle at Scotney Castle in Lamberhurst run from 16 October to 31 December 2026. Tours depend on volunteer availability, and booking is required. Times are listed on the event page.
Image: Scotney CastleScotney's monsters are having a day off around the moat, but they have lost the invitation to tonight's party. Families follow the trail, spot the hidden creatures and solve clues to work out where the party is. Younger children can do a simpler spotter version.
Image: National TrustThe Victorian mansion at Scotney is decorated with scenes inspired by favourite fairytales, and a gingerbread trail runs outdoors for children. On selected late nights the gardens are lit with twinkling illuminations. Scotney is just outside Lamberhurst, so it combines easily with other festive outings in the area.
Image: Scotney CastleA runaway gingerbread trail around the grounds at Scotney. Children pick up a sheet, search for the escaped Gingerbread Men and other festive characters, and play games along the way. It runs alongside A Fairytale Christmas in the mansion.
Image: Scotney CastleChristmas lunches are served in the Coach House Tea-room at Scotney Castle in Lamberhurst throughout December 2026. The meal is a festive get-together suited to families and groups, and booking is recommended. Times and prices are on the National Trust event page.
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: 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.
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.
