Penshurst
A charming village so pretty that it looks like it’s straight out of a period drama (no seriously!). Part of our Top 300 Places to Live series.
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WHY?
This could easily take the crown as the most charming village in Kent. The village of Penshurst is nestled in the most beautiful countryside, home to the original Leicester Square (true fact), a beautiful Elizabethan mansion and their village shop has an entrance in the shape of a horse shoe so what’s not to love?
EAT
There’s no shortage of gorgeous eateries in and around the village of Penshurst but right in the heart of the village, you’ll find the newly restored Leicester Arms offering top-level food, gorgeous bedrooms and views of fields from their stunning beer garden at the back. We’d also recommend making a beeline for 15th century free-house, The Bottle House with its handsome exterior, copper-topped bar and a menu dedicated to seasonality and local produce – this should be on your must-do list!
In the nearby village Bidborough, find gastropub The Kentish Hare which is a true family-friendly affair. Enjoy watching the chefs prepare your dishes through a glass window in the main dining area or sit outside in their pretty garden should the weather be on your side.
For more casual dining, there’s Porcupine Pantry situated by the Visitors’ entrance just outside Penshurst Place & Gardens. The café is free to visit, open all year round and very popular with visitors to the house and gardens, cyclists, walkers and explorers for refreshments, light lunches and a welcome break. A personal Muddy favourite is Kingdom with its striking wood and glass structure where the food is fantastic, all sourced locally and cooked well and there’s plenty of outdoor space with gorgeous views of the rolling countryside below.
SHOP
Back to the village shop and post office with an entrance in the shape of a horse shoe, step forward the quaint Forge Stores. Located in the centre of the village brimming with local produce, plants, general household goods, household fuel (they’ll even fill up your car for you!) and there’s also a pop-up bakery on certain days and fresh fish on Friday. Open daily.
There’s also Groombridge Farm Shop, (pictured above), just off the A264 not far from Langton Green and only 3 miles from Penshurst. Championing produce from Kent and Sussex, this award-winning farm shop is well-known for their tempting selection of locally sourced, fresh goodies. Pick up fruit, veg boxes, dairy, eggs, meat and fish or something from their Bakery section. We’re also big fans of their brilliant selection of hampers!
HEALTH & WELLBEING
In the spirit of convenience, located in the Village Hall (with a separate entrance) you’ll find Warders Medical Centre so you won’t have to go far for your GP appointment.
When it comes to sport, founded in 1895 the family-run football club, Penshurst Park has long been part of the village’s history and community. The football club’s now traditional black and white striped home kit owes a lot to the relocation of a group of Geordies after the First World War after writing a hopeful letter to Newcastle United, they were rewarded with a black and white home kit – a style they still wear today!
There’s also the Penshurst Park Cricket Club which is celebrating 300 years of cricket this year and happens to be the oldest privately owned cricket ground in the world, set in the beautiful grounds of Penshurst Place. Not bad eh? Penshurst is also home to award-winning Pilates Studio, MyTime Pilates. This contemporary studio is set in a beautiful tranquil space that offers the perfect environment in which to restore physical and mental balance through a wide range of Pilates classes. Having tried a number of Pilates classes here at Muddy, we really rate Bea as one of the best in show.
When it comes to fitness and wellness, Kingdom, (pictured above), has you covered. Whether it is relaxing over food in the café or keeping your mind and body refreshed with a yoga class with Flourish Wellness, an outdoor personal training session with MZ9 Fitness or a bike ride. Come for a walk, bring your dog, or sit and enjoy the view.
COMMUNITY
Penshurst has a lively community spirit with events happening all year long! You definitely won’t want to miss The Weald of Kent Country Craft Show (pictured above) that returns to Penshurst Place every year for a weekend of great shopping, delicious food and family fun. With over 150 independent stall holders, explore marquees and outdoor markets bursting with beautiful handmade jewellery, homewares, clothing and much more! Plus enjoy delicious gourmet street food and drinks whilst soaking up the stunning surroundings and atmosphere.
Summer also sees the lively Village Fete which is always jam-packed full of family fun with Birds of Prey, a dog show, Punch & Judy, penalty shoot out and much more. The Duck Race is also a highlight which usually happens in August with a BBQ, bar and live music, entrance is free at the bottom of Rogue Hill. In Winter, you can expect a professional firework display run by the local school’s PTA in October and the magical Penshurst Christmas Market so you’ll be sorted when it comes to Christmas shopping.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
Penshurst Place is the 14th century Manor House that takes centre stage in Penshurst with views of the impressive house that been viewed from the surrounding countryside and fields. Once the property of King Henry VIII and King Edward VI the house has been the home of the Sydney family since 1552. With beautiful gardens, parkland, state rooms and even an Adventure Playground, there’s a huge amount to do here and it is well worth a visit.
Just a short drive away is Hever Castle, one of Kent’s best loved castles where you can experience over 700 years of history with 125 acres of award-winning gardens to explore. Once the family home of one of England’s most famous Queens – Anne Boleyn, the intriguing second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I. There’s plenty to love about this fab family day out including a lake and water maze, for cooling off in the summer, or cosy dining and accommodation, for winter date nights.
CULTURE
Culture vultures are well catered for here. Head to The Pantiles in the summer for the popular Gin & Jazz Festival. In the heart of town sits Tunny Well’s main theatre, the Assembly Hall, with a year-round calendar of events. Plus, just over the road there’s Trinity – a buzzy little theatre, arts centre and performance venue, located in the former Holy Trinity Church. Here you’ll find music nights, a regular Comedy Club (pulling in some big names), workshops for drama loving kids and teens. Plus a full film schedule as well.
Round the corner is The Amelia (named after the social reformer and campaigner for women’s suffrage, Amelia Scott) which opened this year – a cultural and community space, housing a museum, contemporary art space, library with the Tourist Information Centre, Adult Education and frontline Council services, all in one new integrated venue. Home to the new annual Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival there’s also a café managed by local coffee experts, Fine Grind.
AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES
The average sold price for a property in Penshurst in the last 12 months is £2,058,750.
HOT PROPERTY
NURSERIES
Nurseries attached to local independent schools include the Nursery at Holmewood House; Forest Explorers at Kent College Pembury; the Nursery at Sacred Heart Wadhurst – and not far away in Tonbridge you’ll find the Nursery at Hilden Oaks; the Nursery at Hilden Grange School and the Pre-School at The Schools at Somerhill. Bright Horizons Southborough Springfield Road Day Nursery and Bright Horizons Tunbridge Wells Day Nursery and Preschool have been rated as Outstanding by Ofsted. As has Juniors Day Nursery in Clanricarde Gardens.
SCHOOLS
For prep schools there’s Holmewood House a co-ed, non-selective school for kids aged 3-13. It has just under 500 pupils, is situated in 30 acres of glorious grounds and offers impressive facilities. Rose Hill School is also in the centre of Tunny Wells and offers Y7 & Y8 Awards providing strong financial incentives to pupils. Or for another excellent option in an exceptional setting there’s Somerhill School and Hilden Oaks close by towards Tonbridge. For primaries, St Peter’s CoE Primary School recently relocated to the new Hollyfields site or Claremont Primary School which are both Ofsted rated Outstanding and very popular with local families, followed by St James’ Primary School.
Take advantage of the boys and girls grammar schools in Tunbridge Wells and nearby Tonbridge. Alongside these there’s all-ability, The Skinners Kent Academy (rated Outstanding, non-fee paying independent education in stunning £21.4m facilities), plus excellent Secondary faith state schools, such as Bennett Memorial Diocesan School or St Gregory’s Catholic School – both rated Outstanding. For independent Secondary education, you have Tonbridge School for boys. Kent College in Pembury an-all girls Senior School (taking girls from 11 – 18 yrs old) and a Prep (for children between 3-11 yrs) that will be fully co-ed from September 2024.
BEST KEPT SECRET
The village of Penshurst is no stranger to big film crews. Penshurst Place has been featured in a lot of period dramas and movies (including Harry Potter!) over the years. Most recently, Penshurst Place was the chosen backdrop in Renegade Nell, a new period-based adventure fantasy series on Disney+. Read more here.
COMMUTE
The Penshurst train station is actually in neighbouring village Chiddingstone (the less on that the better) but from Tunbridge Wells there’s high-speed, non-stopping trains to London Cannon Street which takes 51 mins and London Bridge (also stopping off at Waterloo East and Charing Cross) takes 44 mins.
View the full Top 300 Best Places to Live.