Pictures of Brenchley
in the county of Kent
About Brenchley
Brenchley is a beautiful "showpiece" village full of picturesque Tudor cottages, complimented by houses from the Regency and Victorian periods. It's history stretches back to the days of the Norman Conquest, when the surrounding lads were given to William Fitzgilbert, cousin to William the Conqueror. Most periods of history have some association with Brenchley, the most recent being the fact that the wife of Prince Edward, Sophie Rhys-Jones came from here. Another is the magnificent Lych-gate standing behind the church, this commemorates Queen Victoria's glorious 60 year reign.
All Saints Church, standing on the spot of an earlier church, has an gracious avenue of four hundred year old yews leading to its doors. The church, built of local sand-stone, dates from around 1233, it is Early English in design with a square tower which can be viewed from many parts of the High Weald. The church interior is calm and very beautiful, amongst its chief glories is a screen of 1536. It also has impressive windows of the 14th-century, although these may have been part of restoration work in the mid-19th-century. In its churchyard are tombs and gravestones of centuries. The Old Vicarage, is a lovely building from the 14th-century.
Part of The Old Palace, is now a row of pretty cottages. This was where Nell Gwynn's son by Charles II, George, Duke of St.Albans once lived.
This is superb agricultural country where hops have been grown for decades. At one time it was said the surrounding orchards stretched almost to Brenchley's main village street! The hop variety known as "Fuggles" was developed here late in the 19th-century. There are still spectacular long vistas over stunning Wealden countryside. Brenchley Wood is ancient woodland, mostly covered by beech and oak, it is a lovely place to visit, with pleasant walks amongst heathland that is being restored by Kent Wildlife Trust.
In Brenchley you will find a few pleasant shops and a couple of warmly welcoming country pubs. The village is ideally situated for Marle Place, Owl House and many other places of interest.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Brenchley
| Marle Place Gardens | (1.3 miles, 2.0 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Bayham Abbey | (3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Scotney Castle | (3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Tonbridge Castle | (6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Sissinghurst Castle Garden | (8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Ightham Mote | (9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Penshurst Place and Gardens | (9.5 miles, 15.2 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Manor Country Park | (9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Archbishops Palace | (10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Bateman's | (11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Hole Park Gardens | (11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Allington Castle | (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Chiddingstone Castle | (11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Knole House & Deer Park | (11.5 miles, 18.4 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Coldrum Long Barrow | (12.0 miles, 19.2 km, direction N) | Pictures |
All attractions in BrenchleyAll attractions in KentComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Brenchley
Tonbridge, in the county of Kent (6.2 miles, 9.9 km, direction NW)
Fine streets show a rich variety of architecture including typical Wealden tile-hung properties, and handsome Georgian and Victorian buildings dominating the river scene.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Tunbridge Wells, in the county of Kent (6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction W)
Also known as Royal Tunbridge Wells and only a short distance from London, this popular spa town gained a reputation as the place to see and be seen during Georgian Times frequented by royalty and fashionable members of aristocracy. It also happens to be surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Cranbrook, in the county of Kent (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction SE)
Cranbrook is an old rural town of numerous streets and alleys, all still true to their medieval layout.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Ticehurst, in the county of East Sussex (7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction S)
For a village worthy of a picture postcard, Ticehurst would be hard to beat. It is all enchanting white weatherboarded cottages hidden beneath russet tiles interspersed around a pleasant square with a church.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Shipbourne, in the county of Kent (8.4 miles, 13.6 km, direction NW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Plaxtol, in the county of Kent (8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction NW)
This is a picturesque Kentish village at the centre of the counties hop growing fields. It has interesting Oast houses and a concentration of charming brick built cottages.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Groombridge, in the county of East Sussex (9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction W)
In an area of attractive, outstanding villages, Groombridge with its 18th-century tiled cottages against the back-drop of a beautiful village green, stands out as being the very epitome of the perfect English village.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Burwash, in the county of East Sussex (10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction S)
It is from his home in this very English village that Rudyard Kipling penned the wise and wonderful words of his poem 'If'.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Mayfield, in the county of East Sussex (10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction SW)
This is a tranquil, historic village lying close to the beautiful River Rother. The village stands on a ridge in a lovely rural location with panoramic views over the valley.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Leeds, in the county of Kent (11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction NE)
For a romantic day out and a trip into England's rich historic past you can do no better than visit the pastoral village of Leeds.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Chiddingstone, in the county of Kent (11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction W)
Fascinating village, owned by the National Trust which is crammed with beautiful properties from the 16th and 17th-century probably built with iron-industry money.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Rolvenden, in the county of Kent (12.2 miles, 19.7 km, direction SE)
Surrounded by a well-wooded landscape, this delightful village was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book, so we are assured of its long history.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Tenterden, in the county of Kent (13.9 miles, 22.3 km, direction E)
The town is located on slightly rising ground looking out over the vast agricultural landscape of the Rother Levels, which sweep down to the Romney Marshes and finally, the sea.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Meopham Green, in the county of Kent (14.9 miles, 23.9 km, direction N)
This is an attractive Kentish village lying to the south of Gravesend. It is picked out by its Windmill of 1801, which has been lovingly restored back to its original working order and is now one of the best preserved in Kent.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Smallhythe, in the county of Kent (15.1 miles, 24.2 km, direction SE)
Between the 14th and the 16th-centuries this lovely Wealdon hamlet was a flourishing port and famous ship building centre where one of Henry VIII war-ships was built.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in KentComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Paddock Wood Station | (2.4 miles, 3.8 km, direction N) |
| Beltring Station | (3.7 miles, 5.9 km, direction N) |
| M20 Junction 5 | (11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction N) |
| M20 Junction 4 | (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction N) |
| London Gatwick Airport | (25.0 miles, 40.2 km, direction W) |
| Lydd Airport | (27.4 miles, 44.1 km, direction SE) |
| Brenchley to London | (33.7 miles, 54.2 km, direction NW) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Brenchley
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Brenchley center |
| Russell Hotel | (5.9 miles, 9.6 km, direction W) |
| The Royal Wells Inn | (6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction W) |
| Smart And Simple Hotels | (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction W) |
| Best Western The Rose And Crown Hotel | (6.1 miles, 9.9 km, direction NW) |
| The Hadlow Manor Hotel | (6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction N) |
| Swan Hotel | (6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction W) |
| The Langley Hotel | (6.9 miles, 11.1 km, direction NW) |
| Dale Hill Hotel | (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction S) |
| The George Hotel | (7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction SE) |
| Headcorn Lodge Hotel | (9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction E) |
| All hotels in Brenchley |
