Photo: Mertbiol, CC0Southborough is on the doorstep of Royal Tunbridge Wells, built around a 75 acre common with woodland walks and a historic cricket ground. Salomons Estate, the Colebrook Viaduct and the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk are close at hand.
Southborough is a busy town on the edge of Royal Tunbridge Wells with plenty of quieter corners. Visitors were lodging here as early as 1639 to take the waters at the Chalybeate Spring. Southborough Common covers 75 acres of grass and woodland, and cricket has been played on it for more than 200 years; the town made cricket balls from the mid 1800s until the late 1970s. A walk across the Common leads to Holden Pond and on to a stream at Modest Corner, and Pennington Grounds nearby has a playground, mini golf, tennis courts and an outdoor gym open from 8am to 6pm.
Salomons Estate, about five minutes' drive from the centre, sits in 36 acres of grounds. It was home to three generations of the Salomons family, among them Sir David Salomons, the first Jewish Mayor of London, and his nephew of the same name, an engineer and scientist. Today it is a hotel and events venue with gardens to explore and a small museum about the family. The Southborough Viaduct walk is a two hour circular route from the Pennington Grounds car park that passes the Colebrook Viaduct, and the 13.3km Southborough Circular forms part of the longer Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk. Visit Tunbridge Wells lists The Amelia Scott, Knole Park and Penshurst Place among the places to visit nearby.
Checked 30 October 2026.
Photo of Southborough: Mertbiol, CC0Temper Temper is a small, family-run chocolate kitchen in Southborough that runs hands-on chocolate-making workshops and parties for children, adults and groups. In two hours you make moulded chocolates, a lolly, a chocolate bowl, florentines and truffles, and take everything home.
Photo of Southborough: Mertbiol, CC0Southborough Common is about 75 acres of old wood pasture, heath and woodland on a sandstone spur in Southborough, with records going back to the 13th century. Volunteers have been opening it up again to reveal its veteran oaks and beeches, and three themed circular walks help you find the points of interest.
Photo of Southborough: Mertbiol, CC0Arty Farty Retreat is a community art studio on London Road in Southborough that runs one-off and short-run creative workshops for children and adults. The programme changes through the year, from holiday art days for children to painting, pottery and sketchbook sessions for grown-ups who want to try something new.
Photo: Salomons EstateSalomons Estate is a Grade II listed Victorian country house estate near Tunbridge Wells, set in 36 acres of gardens, woodland and lakes. Associated with the Salomons family, including the scientist and inventor Sir David Lionel Salomons, it is now a weddings, events and hospitality venue with 47 bedrooms and six cottages. Visitors can also book afternoon tea, Sunday lunch or the weekday bistro.
Photo of Royal Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0Barnett's Wood was the first Local Nature Reserve in Tunbridge Wells borough, a mix of ancient woodland and wildflower meadows on the northern edge of High Brooms. Families come for the natural play area and picnic spot at the Juniper Close entrance, then follow paths to the dipping pond and an old brick kiln.
Image: AirHopAirHop Tunbridge Wells is an indoor adventure and trampoline park on North Farm Road in High Brooms. Jump across wall-to-wall trampolines, giant airbags and AR trampolines, try the reaction walls, or play in the arcade. Sessions suit families with toddlers through to teens, and there are inclusive sessions for families who prefer a calmer visit.
Image: Chimera Climbing Tunbridge WellsChimera's Tunbridge Wells centre is a dedicated bouldering wall where you climb short, colour-graded routes over deep crash mats with no ropes. There are clubs for children from five, birthday parties and coaching for adult beginners. With showers and a café, it suits teens and adults looking for an active indoor session.
Photo of Royal Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0Clue Cracker is an independent escape room venue on St John's Road in Tunbridge Wells with three themed 60-minute games, including the dinosaur park adventure Dino Kingdom. The rooms have been shortlisted for escape room enthusiast awards, and suit families, friends and work groups.
Photo of Royal Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0Grosvenor and Hilbert Park is one of the oldest public parks in Tunbridge Wells, laid out by the Victorian landscape designer Robert Marnock in 1889. Alongside its lake and dripping-well grottoes there is a large play area, a skate park, a wetland boardwalk and a community orchard, so it suits a long family visit.
Photo of Royal Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0Hurst Wood is a 17-hectare Woodland Trust wood tucked into a valley between Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall, with a winding stream crossed by many small bridges. Oak, birch, chestnut and big beech trees make it colourful in autumn, and it is carpeted with bluebells in late spring.
St Mary's at Speldhurst holds ten stained-glass windows from the partnership of Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris. The present church was finished in 1871 to the medieval plan, after lightning burned the old one down in 1791.
Photo of Royal Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0Hollywood Bowl Tunbridge Wells is a 24-lane ten-pin bowling centre at Wells Knights Park, the retail and leisure park off Longfield Road. As well as bowling, it has an arcade, pool tables and a bar and diner, which makes it an easy rainy-day choice for families and groups.
Photo of Royal Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0A nine-screen multiplex at Knights Park on the northern edge of Tunbridge Wells, next to the bowling alley. It shows the main new releases, including 3D, and is the easy rainy-day choice for families.
Photo of Royal Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0Kidsbury is an indoor role play village inside Royal Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells, with 12 small themed zones such as a supermarket, post office, florist and recycling centre. It is designed for children aged 1 to 7, with calm lighting, wooden toys and timed sessions to keep it from getting too busy.
Photo of Royal Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0Manic Ceramix is a paint-your-own pottery studio on Camden Road in Tunbridge Wells, with more than 100 plain pieces to choose from and decorate. It works for all ages in any weather, and runs evening painting sessions for adults as well as parties and take-home kits.
Image: The Amelia ScottThe Amelia Scott is Tunbridge Wells' cultural hub, bringing the town's museum collections, art galleries, library and family activities together under one roof. Entry is free, there are changing exhibitions and a cafe for a break. It is a reliable rainy-day option in the town centre.
Image: Trinity TheatreTrinity Theatre is an inclusive arts charity on Church Road in the centre of Tunbridge Wells, staging more than 600 events a year. The programme mixes comedy, music, talks, children's shows and its own Christmas production, alongside weekly classes in acting, dance and singing. Its café-bar partner TN1 Bar and Kitchen makes it a sociable evening venue.
Rusthall Common, on the western edge of Tunbridge Wells, mixes woodland, meadow and ponds with a cluster of wind-carved sandstone outcrops, the most famous being Toad Rock. The Victorians gave many of the rocks names, and today the area is a protected geological site that families enjoy exploring on foot.
Image: PuppeteersUKIndigo Moon Theatre presents Gaby Gulliver's Travels, a family shadow theatre show on Thursday 30 October 2026 at 3pm at Southborough Civic Centre in Southborough. It reimagines Gulliver's Travels through the story of eight-year-old Gaby, who is sent into the woods and journeys through parallel universes across time and space. Booking is required, and the show suits families and children.
Image: Tunbridge Wells Puppetry FestivalSea Legs Puppet Theatre presents Three Little Pirate Pigs at Southborough Civic Centre on 31 October 2026 at 2pm. Lighthouse keeper Shadrack narrates a puppet adventure in which three pirate pigs build a boat and go on a treasure hunt. Booking is required, and the show suits families.
Photo of Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0The Hendy Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon is a one lap, road closed half marathon starting at the Fusion Sports Centre in Tunbridge Wells on Sunday 28 February 2027 at 09:00. The course runs through Kent countryside and includes a climb of around 300ft up Spring Hill in Fordcombe, with a strict three hour cut off. It suits runners of all levels who want a challenging road route, and groups are welcome.
Image: 3 Riddlesdale AveA two-hour Christmas wreath making workshop on 12 December 2026, where participants make a fresh wreath from scratch to take home. Booking is required through Eventbrite. The session suits families and anyone looking for a festive creative activity.
Image: Bennett Memorial Diocesan SchoolA Train to Teach information event for people interested in on-the-job teacher training for primary or secondary teaching. The session includes a presentation followed by an opportunity to ask questions. It takes place at Bennett Memorial Diocesan School in Royal Tunbridge Wells on 23 November 2026, with booking required through Eventbrite.
Image: Rose Hill School TheatreA classical recital by violinist Fanny Fheodoroff and pianist Dominic Degavino, presented by CODA, takes place at Rose Hill School Theatre in Tunbridge Wells on 15 November 2026, from 3pm to 5pm. The programme suits music lovers of all ages who enjoy chamber music and are looking for an afternoon concert. Tickets start at £20, and booking is recommended.
Image: Tunbridge Wells Puppetry FestivalThe Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival returns for its seventh year over October half term, with professionally curated puppetry from the UK and overseas. Shows, workshops and public events across the town cover every style of puppetry, not only puppets on strings. It is pitched as accessible and sustainable, and ideal for families looking for half-term culture.
Photo of Royal Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0ABC Toddler Group is a friendly, supportive session for parents and carers with children under five. It takes place on 5 November 2026 at St James Church Hall in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Booking is required through the event page.
Image: Kidsbury PlayA new Christmas show at the Kidsbury role play village inside Royal Victoria Place. Tizzy the elf and Jakob the Toymaker try to grant a wish the elves cannot make, in a 45-minute story with live music.
Photo of Southborough: Mertbiol, CC0Temper Temper is a small, family-run chocolate kitchen in Southborough that runs hands-on chocolate-making workshops and parties for children, adults and groups. In two hours you make moulded chocolates, a lolly, a chocolate bowl, florentines and truffles, and take everything home.
Photo of Southborough: Mertbiol, CC0Arty Farty Retreat is a community art studio on London Road in Southborough that runs one-off and short-run creative workshops for children and adults. The programme changes through the year, from holiday art days for children to painting, pottery and sketchbook sessions for grown-ups who want to try something new.
Photo: Salomons EstateSalomons Estate is a Grade II listed Victorian country house estate near Tunbridge Wells, set in 36 acres of gardens, woodland and lakes. Associated with the Salomons family, including the scientist and inventor Sir David Lionel Salomons, it is now a weddings, events and hospitality venue with 47 bedrooms and six cottages. Visitors can also book afternoon tea, Sunday lunch or the weekday bistro.
Image: AirHopAirHop Tunbridge Wells is an indoor adventure and trampoline park on North Farm Road in High Brooms. Jump across wall-to-wall trampolines, giant airbags and AR trampolines, try the reaction walls, or play in the arcade. Sessions suit families with toddlers through to teens, and there are inclusive sessions for families who prefer a calmer visit.
Image: Chimera Climbing Tunbridge WellsChimera's Tunbridge Wells centre is a dedicated bouldering wall where you climb short, colour-graded routes over deep crash mats with no ropes. There are clubs for children from five, birthday parties and coaching for adult beginners. With showers and a café, it suits teens and adults looking for an active indoor session.
Photo of Royal Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0Clue Cracker is an independent escape room venue on St John's Road in Tunbridge Wells with three themed 60-minute games, including the dinosaur park adventure Dino Kingdom. The rooms have been shortlisted for escape room enthusiast awards, and suit families, friends and work groups.
Photo of Southborough: Mertbiol, CC0Southborough Common is about 75 acres of old wood pasture, heath and woodland on a sandstone spur in Southborough, with records going back to the 13th century. Volunteers have been opening it up again to reveal its veteran oaks and beeches, and three themed circular walks help you find the points of interest.
Photo of Royal Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0Barnett's Wood was the first Local Nature Reserve in Tunbridge Wells borough, a mix of ancient woodland and wildflower meadows on the northern edge of High Brooms. Families come for the natural play area and picnic spot at the Juniper Close entrance, then follow paths to the dipping pond and an old brick kiln.
Photo of Royal Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0Grosvenor and Hilbert Park is one of the oldest public parks in Tunbridge Wells, laid out by the Victorian landscape designer Robert Marnock in 1889. Alongside its lake and dripping-well grottoes there is a large play area, a skate park, a wetland boardwalk and a community orchard, so it suits a long family visit.
Photo of Royal Tunbridge Wells: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0Hurst Wood is a 17-hectare Woodland Trust wood tucked into a valley between Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall, with a winding stream crossed by many small bridges. Oak, birch, chestnut and big beech trees make it colourful in autumn, and it is carpeted with bluebells in late spring.
St Mary's at Speldhurst holds ten stained-glass windows from the partnership of Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris. The present church was finished in 1871 to the medieval plan, after lightning burned the old one down in 1791.
Image: The Amelia ScottThe Amelia Scott is Tunbridge Wells' cultural hub, bringing the town's museum collections, art galleries, library and family activities together under one roof. Entry is free, there are changing exhibitions and a cafe for a break. It is a reliable rainy-day option in the town centre.
The rest of the 34 places we list within 4 km, closest first.
