Tonbridge

Tonbridge [1] is a town in West Kent, in South-East England. Understand Situated on the banks of the river Medway, Tonbridge has been a market town since the Earl of Gloucester was granted the right to hold a weekly market in 1259. A castle was built there in the 11th century by Richard Fitzgilbert, a nobleman in William the Conqueror's invading army, and rebuilt in the 13th century. The town and its surrounding areas became famous for the production of finely inlaid wooden cabinets, boxes and other objects, which were called "Tunbridgeware". Tonbridge was spelt "Tunbridge" until 1870, but the spelling of the name was changed in an effort to avoid confusion with nearby Tunbridge Wells, a larger, but considerably newer, town about five miles to the south. Get in By car The main roads into Tonbridge are the A21, which runs from the M25 down to Hastings, the A26, which goes south to Brighton and north to Maidstone and the A227 which also goes north to Gravesend. By train Tonbridge station is the main train station in West Kent and is used by 3.8 million passengers a year. It is situated at the south end of the High Street. It has frequent services to/from London (30-45 minutes, tickets around £10) and services to Dover, Ramsgate, Margate, Tunbridge Wells and Hastings. Services also available to Redhill and Maidstone via Paddock Wood. Fare and timetable information is available from South East Trains [2], tel. 08457 484950. By bus It is possible to reach Tonbridge by bus from such towns Brighton, Maidstone and even London (which would involve a few changes). Get around The centre of Tonbridge is fairly small, and can easily be travelled on foot. As with most other towns in England, the town is well serviced by buses and taxis. By bus Arriva is the bus company that operates in Tonbridge. Timetables and fares are available on their website [3]. Buy your ticket from the driver when you board the bus. By taxi The main taxi rank is at the train station, although you can order a taxi by telephone to pick you up from anywhere. For Pre Booked Journeys try: MS Executive Chauffeurs [4] - +44 1892 513042 or 0800 980 7252 Kent Chauffeurs [5] Streamline: +44 1732 505050 [6] See Tonbridge Castle [7] World of Activities at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, ☎ 01622 872068 (info@thehopfarm.co.uk), [8]. 10AM–5PM (except 1 Dec-7 Feb). Once a working hop farm, it now offers a wide variety of attractions and events.  edit Do Hire a boat and potter about on the Medway Take a walk or go fishing at the lakes in Hayesden Country Park Take a visit to Source of Sound nightclub (abbreviated to 'SOS' or 'Source' by locals) which is a fine establishment and not one bit dodgy. Buy Eat Drink The Humphrey Bean (Wetherspoons) and The Wharf, a lively late bar, are both popular and close to the Medway bridge in the town centre. Other recommended pubs are the Ivy House (north of the river) and the Primrose (Pembury Road, edge of town). Sleep The "Rose and Crown Hotel" in the centre of Tonbridge is an obvious, if expensive place to stay. A mile from the north-west of the town, along the B245 towards Hildenborough, is the "Langley Hotel". The town is also served by two Premier Travel Inns. Both about one mile from the town centre. One is attached to The Vauxhall Inn (at the A21/A26 junction to the south) and the other to The Hilden Manor (B245 towards Hildenborough to the north-west). Get out Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks are nearby. Hastings can be reached in less than an hour. This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!