Your Surroundings
Explore the High Weald
The View sits at the heart of one of England's finest landscapes — the High Weald AONB. Ancient woodland, a Georgian spa town, fantastic local restaurants, and English vineyards are all within minutes.
Everyday Essentials
Shopping & Supermarkets
Tunbridge Wells offers excellent shopping, from independent boutiques to major supermarkets, all within a short drive.
Fashion & Lifestyle · 3 Miles
Tunbridge Wells Town Centre
Tunbridge Wells has one of the best independent shopping scenes in the South East. The Royal Victoria Place shopping centre sits alongside a thriving high street, and the town is particularly well known for its independent boutiques, galleries, and specialist food shops.
Supermarkets
Grocery Shopping
The closest Waitrose — excellent for quality provisions and a full weekly shop.
Full-size Sainsbury's in Tunbridge Wells town centre with ample parking.
Open 7am–7pm daily — perfect for top-ups, fresh bread, and morning essentials.
Day Trips
Further Afield
Convenient for arrivals and departures — no need for a London transfer.
The full Brighton experience: beach, pier, the Lanes, and the Royal Pavilion, all within an easy drive.
Eridge to London Bridge via Tunbridge Wells. The city is genuinely on your doorstep.
Within 10 Minutes
Farm Shops & Local Produce
The High Weald is exceptional for local food. These farm shops are among the finest in the South East — all within a short drive of The View.
Groombridge Farm Shop
1 mileTN3 9LY · Mon–Sat 8:30am–6pm, Sun limited
The closest farm shop to The View — and one of the best in Kent and Sussex. Specialises in local provenance produce from Kent and Sussex farms. Excellent meat counter, seasonal vegetables, and artisan pantry goods.
VisitCherry Gardens Farm
1 mileGroombridge · TN3 9NY · Tue–Sat 10am–6pm
An organic farm shop right in Groombridge — beautifully run with seasonal organic vegetables, eggs, and homemade preserves. The pick-your-own soft fruit in summer is a wonderful experience.
VisitFuller's Farm Shop & Butchers
5 minBunny Lane, Eridge · TN3 9BY
A highly regarded butcher and farm shop on the Eridge road. Excellent quality meat — much of it reared on the farm itself. The sausages and dry-aged beef come very highly recommended.
VisitGill Wing Farm Shop
5 minGroombridge Lane, Eridge · TN3 9LA
A charming small farm shop on the Eridge road with seasonal local produce, eggs, and homemade goods. A lovely stop on the way back from a morning walk.
VisitBirchden Vineyard Farm Shop
¾ mileGroombridge · TN3
Pick up a bottle of English wine from the vineyard that is practically on your doorstep. Local honey, preserves, and seasonal produce also available.
VisitTablehurst Farm Shop
8 minForest Row · RH18 5DP
One of the finest biodynamic farm shops in the South East — Tablehurst Farm in Forest Row is a short drive through the Weald and well worth the trip for exceptional organic produce.
Visit3 Miles · 8 Minutes
Royal Tunbridge Wells
One of England's most elegant spa towns, Tunbridge Wells combines Georgian grandeur with a vibrant modern food and arts scene. The historic Pantiles colonnade is the jewel of the town, lined with independent boutiques, wine bars, and al fresco dining.
The Pantiles
THE HISTORIC COLONNADE · TN2 5TN
The Pantiles is the historic heart of Tunbridge Wells — a beautiful 17th-century colonnaded promenade where the town's famous chalybeate spring still flows. Today it is home to independent boutiques, galleries, wine bars, and some of the town's finest restaurants. The famous Jazz on the Pantiles festival runs throughout the summer.
Explore The PantilesDining in Tunbridge Wells
3 miles
The Ivy
Mount Ephraim · Royal Tunbridge Wells
The iconic Ivy Collection brings its signature glamour to Tunbridge Wells — all-day dining in a beautifully designed space with the trademark brasserie menu. Perfect for a special occasion or a long, leisurely lunch.
Reserve a Table
3 miles
Sankeys
The Old Fishmarket · Mount Ephraim
Tunbridge Wells' most celebrated seafood institution. Sankeys has been serving the finest fish and shellfish for over 30 years — the lobster thermidor and dressed crab are legendary. Book ahead; it fills quickly.
Visit SankeysAlso Worth Knowing
Artisan charcuterie & wine bar on The Pantiles
Fine dining in a 17th-century house
Classic French bistro in a historic building
Country pub with stunning views over the Weald
A Very Special Place · 10 Minutes
The Beacon
One of the most spectacular dining destinations in the South East — a Victorian country house perched on the ridge above Tunbridge Wells, with panoramic views across the High Weald that rival those from The View itself.
The Terrace
Panoramic views across the High Weald AONB
The Victorian House
The Dining Room
The Setting
The Beacon sits on a ridge above Tunbridge Wells with views stretching across the High Weald on clear days. The terrace, with its Moroccan-style parasols and sheepskin throws, is one of the most beautiful outdoor dining spaces in Kent or Sussex. The Victorian house itself is extraordinary, with original fireplaces, exposed brickwork, and a warm, eccentric character.
The Food & Drink
The menu is seasonal British — think wood-fired meats, local game, and Sussex produce. The wine list is excellent and the cocktail bar is a destination in itself. Sunday lunches here are legendary. The Beacon also hosts regular events, live music evenings, and private dining.
Visiting
10 minutes by car from The View. Booking is strongly recommended — particularly for weekend evenings and Sunday lunch. The terrace is first-come, first-served on sunny days and fills quickly.
Book at The BeaconOn Your Doorstep · 2 Miles
The Hurstwood
One of East Sussex's most talked-about dining destinations — a short drive through the Weald from The View.
The Hurstwood
HIGH HURSTWOOD · EAST SUSSEX · TN22 4AA
Tucked into the hamlet of High Hurstwood, this intimate restaurant has quietly become one of the most sought-after tables in East Sussex. Chef-led seasonal menus celebrate local produce from the Weald and the Sussex coast — expect beautifully crafted dishes in a warm, unfussy setting.
Advance booking is strongly recommended — tables go quickly.
Book a Table
The Deer Park Café
ERIDGE PARK · 3 MINUTES DRIVE
Set within the beautiful grounds of Eridge Park, this charming black-clad café is a perfect morning destination — excellent coffee, homemade food, and outdoor seating surrounded by ancient parkland. Deer roam freely in the park around it. A wonderful start to a walk or a lazy morning read.
3 minutes by car or a lovely 20-minute walk through the forest.
Country Pubs Within Minutes
A classic village pub on the green with a lovely garden. Harvey's Sussex Best on tap. One of the oldest pubs in the South of England.
A beautifully quaint pub tucked away off the beaten track. Excellent food in a traditional setting — a hidden gem.
Charming 18th-century inn with a beautiful garden and seasonal menu. A favourite with locals.
In the heart of Pooh Corner country — a lovely drive through the forest to a quintessential English pub.
Birchden Vineyards
GROOMBRIDGE · ¾ MILE FROM THE VIEW
Quite literally on your doorstep: Birchden Vineyards is less than a mile from The View, set in the beautiful Groombridge valley. This boutique English vineyard produces award-winning still and sparkling wines. Wine tours, tastings, and vineyard walks are available. A perfect afternoon.
You can walk there through the forest in about 15 minutes.
Book a Tasting1 Mile · Groombridge Village
Groombridge Place
One of the most romantic and historically significant moated manor houses in England — currently closed to visitors while an exciting new chapter unfolds.
The Manor House & Moat
17th century · Grade I listed · 1 mile from The View
The Grounds & Paths
Footpaths open · exterior accessible · moat views
The House
Built in 1662, Groombridge Place is a perfectly preserved Grade I listed Restoration manor house surrounded by a wide moat. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle used it as inspiration for Birlstone Manor in The Valley of Fear. The estate is currently closed to visitors while a new chapter unfolds.
What's Next
The estate is widely reported to be under consideration by The Pig Hotels Group — one of England's most celebrated boutique hotel brands. If confirmed, this would bring a world-class destination right to the doorstep of The View. Watch this space.
Visiting Now
While the house and formal gardens are closed, the surrounding footpaths and exterior grounds remain open. The moat and manor house are visible from the public paths — a beautiful short walk from The View. The village of Groombridge itself is always worth exploring.
Groombridge Place Website1 Mile · 3 Minutes
Groombridge Village
Your nearest village — and one of the most charming in the High Weald. Everything you need for a comfortable stay is within a short stroll or drive.
Village Mini Supermarket
Open 7am – 7pm daily
A brilliantly stocked independent mini supermarket — far better than its size suggests. Fresh bread, local produce, essentials, and a Post Office counter. Perfect for top-ups and morning papers.
Post Office
Within the village store
Full Post Office services available within the village store. Stamps, parcels, and banking services — a genuine convenience in a rural location.
Village Bakery
Morning hours
A proper local bakery with freshly baked bread, pastries, and cakes. One of those small pleasures that makes a rural retreat feel complete. Worth an early morning walk.
The Crown Inn
On the village green
One of the oldest pubs in the South of England, sitting on the village green. Harvey's Sussex Best on tap, a lovely garden, and proper pub food. A five-minute stroll from The View.
Eridge Station · 1 Mile
Spa Valley Railway
Eridge station, just one mile from The View, is the northern terminus of the Spa Valley Railway, a beautifully preserved heritage steam railway that runs through the Weald to Tunbridge Wells West. The journey through the High Weald is one of the most scenic in the South East.
Steam and diesel services run on weekends and during school holidays, with special events including Santa Specials, Gin & Jazz evenings, and dining trains throughout the year.
Spa Valley Railway
Broadwater Warren · Adjacent
Walking & The Outdoors
The View is immediately adjacent to Broadwater Warren — a 600-acre ancient woodland managed by Forestry England. Miles of waymarked footpaths begin literally at the gate.
Broadwater Warren
Adjacent
600 acres of ancient oak and beech woodland with waymarked trails for all abilities. Red kites, deer, and woodpeckers are regular sightings. At its most spectacular in bluebell season (April–May) and autumn.
More InfoHarrison's Rocks
1 mile
A famous sandstone outcrop near Groombridge that has been a climbing destination since the 1920s. The surrounding woodland walks are spectacular, and the rocks make a dramatic picnic spot even for non-climbers.
More InfoHigh Weald Landscape Trail
From the door
The 90-mile High Weald Landscape Trail passes close to The View, offering day-walk sections through some of the most unspoilt countryside in the South East. The section through Groombridge and Withyham is particularly beautiful.
More InfoFurther Afield
National Trust moated castle with one of England's most romantic gardens. Visit in spring for the rhododendrons.
The world's most complete collection of conifers in 320 acres of forest. Excellent cycling trails and Go Ape.
One of the most celebrated gardens in the world, created by Vita Sackville-West. The White Garden alone is worth the trip.
Getting Here
Arrival & Transport
The View is easy to reach by car or train — and once here, most of the best local attractions are within a short drive or walk.
By Train
Eridge station is 1 mile away — served by Southern Rail from London Bridge (approx. 70 min) and Uckfield. The Spa Valley heritage railway also connects Eridge to Tunbridge Wells West. A short taxi or 20-minute walk from the station.
National Rail — EridgeBy Car
Postcode TN3 9NL will bring you to the entrance. From London via M25/A21 approximately 50 minutes. Parking for one car (cars only — no vans or large vehicles). Please note the driveway is gravel.
Google Maps — TN3 9NLLocal Taxis
Several reliable local taxi firms serve the area. We recommend Tunbridge Wells Taxis (+44 1892 526 526) and Eridge Cars (+44 1892 864 444). Uber is available from Tunbridge Wells.