Cranbrook
A rural gem, popular for families who want a small, but strong community town in an idyllic rural setting. Also home to one of Kent’s most popular and unique grammar schools. Part of our Best 300 Places to Live series.
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WHY?
Think weather boarded houses, a windmill and a line of shops disappearing towards a pretty church. Cranbrook is a bustling, popular, small town smack bang in the middle of the beautiful High Weald area of Kent, lying roughly halfway between Maidstone and Hastings on the A229 and about midway between Tunbridge Wells and Ashford on the other axis (if we’re going to get technical about it). Here you are literally surrounded by beautiful Kent countryside and quintessential Kentish villages.
EAT
Cranbrook has a strong community feel and if you like to support local when you buy your food and produce, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Try one of the amazing selection of local farm shops on your doorstep, we’d recommend Hartley Coffee House & Farm Shop or for cafés there’s the dog friendly Arthur’s or nip into The Wendy House for coffee, cakes or ice-creams.
Sitting at the end of a stretch of small independent shops, pubs and cafés that run on Cranbrook High St, sits Stone Street and there you’ll find Kypseli, an authentic Green taverna. Think traditional greek kitchen, deli, patisserie, coffee bar and licensed bar with a beautiful all-weather decked terrace (they have a sister restaurant in The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells).
Or there’s The Cloudberry with a handsome Georgian façade, we love their relaxed setting and ever-changing seasonal menu, take a peek and book their 4-course set menu. If you’re after a family-friendly gastropub for drinks and dining, there’s 16th century country pub, The Great House between Cranbrook and Hawkhurst. Or The Goudhurst Inn right in the heart of the village of Goudhurst, near Cranbrook. There’s even a family run micropub, Larkins’ Alehouse.
SHOP
Cranbrook is a gorgeous place to shop ’til you drop with a wonderful High St where almost every business has a flower box in front of their shop to contribute to the Cranbrook in Bloom effort.
But where to head to first? We’ve long been fans of Odyl, Cranbrook’s fashion boutique (and the online store) – a go-to style gem owned by Gemma Holmes. She offers free style consultations either in store or on a Zoom call and is ace at boosting your confidence through clothing – whatever your shape or size. (We have it on good authority that she dresses some well-known TV celebs).
Another fashion store worth a visit is Maisie K and for all things interiors you’ve got a decent amount of choice. Try Oast & Rye (for home scents), Duck & Dog (for home and lifestyle), Ms T. Potts (for a sweet treat), The Glasshouse Project (for beautiful plants), Blighty’s (for British made gifts) plus lots more gorgeous boutiques in nearby Hawkhurst and Goudhurst, we love Huddle Collection for their quintessential British patterns and homeware.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
For fitness enthusiasts, the Weald Sports Centre is the go-to spot, offering a modern gym, swimming pool, and a variety of fitness classes, from spin to circuit training. The village also has beautiful walking trails, like the High Weald Landscape Trail, ideal for a mindful morning walk or jog – fresh country air and wellness options aplenty!
COMMUNITY
Throughout the year, locals come together for a range of vibrant events, from summer fairs to Christmas markets that turn the streets into a festive wonderland. For foodies, the local farmers’ market is a weekly gathering where neighbors catch up over fresh produce and homemade treats.
The Vestry Hall is a hub of activity with everything from knitting clubs to yoga sessions. Annual events like the Cranbrook Apple Fayre bring everyone together to celebrate the village’s farming heritage with cider, live music, and, of course, apples galore.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
Cranbrook is a great place to base yourself to visit the various vineyards and wineries with some of England’s leading wine producers right on its doorstep. Making over 400,000 bottles of still and sparkling wines each year there’s Balfour Winery, perfect for a special occasion that includes fine dining, tasting, tours and a shop so you can stock up at home. For a more rustic experience there’s Kent’s original vineyard, Biddenden Vineyard. Family-run since 1969 and producing award-winning – and much loved – wines, ciders and juices.
Why not arrange a tour with Wine Tours of Kent? This brilliant local business offers guided and bespoke wine tours of English wineries in the Kent Countryside, plus tutored wine tastings and lunch. They can even pick you up from your accommodation so no need for a designated driver – we’re in!
Surrounded by the beautiful Kent countryside, Cranbrook has an amazing selection of places to visit close by, try the beautiful gardens at Sissinghurst Castle or Hole Park. The amazing forests, bike trails and children’s rustic play areas at Bedgebury National Pinetum – not to mention the Go Ape zipline and aerial adventure. Take a spin around the reservoir at Bewl Water – on foot or rent a bike and use pedal power Moated 14th Century Bodiam Castle or the equally lovely moated ruins and parkland of Scotney Castle are also heritage gold.
CULTURE
No shortage of culture here! Cranbrook, often called the ‘Capital of the Weald’, is a cultural and historical treasure trove. Art enthusiasts will love the Cranbrook Museum, which showcases local history, arts, and crafts, and captures the essence of this thriving market town.
There’s also The Queen’s Hall Theatre with a whole roster of regular events from plays, musicals, live music, cinema and The Cranbrook Comedy Club. Or go see the brand new Benenden Theatre comprising a 300-seat main auditorium with flexible staging and an Orchestra Pit for musical productions.
AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES
The average sold price for a property in Cranbrook in the last 12 months is £527,743. For detached properties it is £889,700, semi-detached £474,375 and terraced are £308,650.
HOT PROPERTY
NURSERIES
You’ll find Juniors Day Nursery in the Hartley Dyke Business Centre, which has an Outstanding Inspection Rating or Woodpeckers Pre-school, which is rated Good. For Nurseries attached to Preps, Cranbrook benefits from the brilliant Dulwich Prep has Nash House for their Early Years – with state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor classrooms, a safe but challenging playground and 50 acres to explore.
Just up the road, in Hawkhurst, you’ll find Mr Noah’s Nursery, rated Outstanding and the excellent Nursery attached to Marlborough House School Prep, situated in a bright and welcoming building surrounded by a sunny walled garden allowing for plenty of fun and fresh air.
SCHOOLS
For littles ones there’s Cranbrook CofE Primary School (Ofsted rated Good) or Goudhurst & Kilndown Primary School which has an excellent reputation and an Outstanding Ofsted report. Plus, you’re spoilt for choice with independents, having Marlborough House School, Dulwich Prep Cranbrook and Saint Ronan’s Prep School nearby.
One of the biggest attractions for families is Cranbrook School, a mixed day and boarding grammar for pupils from 11 – 18 yrs, sitting on a 75 acre campus. It has a Good overall Ofsted rating – although rated Outstanding for both ‘Behaviour and attitudes’ and ‘Personal development’.
The offering here is pretty unique – it’s one of the few co-educational grammar schools in Kent and one of only a few in the whole country that offers boarding as well. Day pupils and boarders alike do not pay for their education, fees for boarders are purely accommodation costs. This is a popular, selective school and always over-subscribed – but living in the Cranbrook Catchment Area is a good start.
BEST KEPT SECRET
The pretty windmill Union Mill is an iconic site associated with the town is the tallest ‘smock mill’ in the UK (so called due to its sloping weatherboarded sides). Grade I listed and fully restored to working order it stands very proudly at the end of the High Street. Open for viewing on selected days and free to enter, but accept donations.
COMMUTE
Marden or Staplehurst train station is the closest (around 10 mins drive) delivering you direct into Charing Cross or Cannon Street in exactly an hour. Paddock Wood is less than 20 mins drive and trains take around 55 mins into London.
View the full Top 300 Best Places to Live.