Pictures of Tonbridge Castle

a Castle in the town of Tonbridge, in the county of Kent

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About Tonbridge Castle

A fire in 1088 destroyed the first castle at Tonbridge, and the evocative remains we see today are of a later castle which was considered to be one of the finest examples of a Motte and Bailey Castle in Kent.

Little survives of its curtain walls, nor its keep but the splendid gatehouse built in the 13th-century remains remarkably intact, and serves as a stark reminder of 900 years of history involving kings, queens, archbishops, plotters and peacemakers, all of whom have dwelt within the castles once sturdy walls.

The castle was built in the 11th-century, it was further re-enforced in the 13th-century when the gatehouse was added. The deClare's were the original owners of the castle, and here they lavishly entertained Edward I. The castle reflects the friendship between the king and the de Clare's, it appears to have been modelled on Edward's great fortress at Caerphilly.

The quiet location beside the River Medway belies the castle's turbulent history. The de Clare's were a fighting breed who mostly met untimely deaths in battle. The first Richard de Clare died during a siege in Normandy, and the line died out when the last of the de Clares died in the Battle of Bannockburn. Others heirs met a similar fate. The castle passed to the Stafford family, from whence it frequently passed back and forth between the Crown and the Stafford's. Henry Stafford was executed by King Richard III, and his son was put to death by orders of Henry VIII. So the history of Tonbridge is undeniably bloody.

At the end of the Civil War the castle began to fall into disrepair, it had a series of owners, one built the spectacular Georgian mansion near the east wall of the gatehouse. However, until quite recently not a great deal was achieved. The castle is now in the ownership of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council who have done much to protect the castle for posterity and the enjoyment of everyone.

Tonbridge Castle stands in picturesque 14-acre grounds looking benignly over the Medway. It is open all the year round and admission if free of charge. It offers a magnificent portrayal of life in the castle through exhibitions, and an Audio-Visual display tells of the castle's turbulent history. Ruinous Tonbridge Castle is both atmospheric and unique, an excellent day out for all the family.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Tonbridge Castle.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Tonbridge Castle

Ightham Mote	(4.0 miles, 6.5 km, direction N)	Pictures
Penshurst Place and Gardens	(4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Knole House & Deer Park	(5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Chiddingstone Castle	(5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction W)	Pictures
Hever Castle	(6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction W)	Pictures
Sevenoaks Wildfowl Reserve	(7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Marle Place Gardens	(7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Emmetts Garden	(7.5 miles, 12.0 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Bayham Abbey	(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Chartwell	(8.4 miles, 13.6 km, direction W)	Pictures

All attractions in Kent
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Tonbridge Castle

Tonbridge, in the county of Kent (0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
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

Shipbourne, in the county of Kent (3.2 miles, 5.1 km, direction N)
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Plaxtol, in the county of Kent (4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction N)
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.
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Tunbridge Wells, in the county of Kent (4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction S)
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.
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Chiddingstone, in the county of Kent (5.7 miles, 9.2 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.
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Brenchley, in the county of Kent (6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction SE)
Brenchley is a beautiful "showpiece" village full of picturesque Tudor cottages, complimented by houses from the Regency and Victorian periods.
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Groombridge, in the county of East Sussex (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction SW)
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.
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Meopham Green, in the county of Kent (11.8 miles, 19.0 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.
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Eynsford, in the county of Kent (11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction N)
This is a small town in the Darent Valley. Way back in the mists of history it was thought to be an important town, but is now...
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Mayfield, in the county of East Sussex (12.2 miles, 19.7 km, direction S)
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.
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All towns in Kent
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Tonbridge Station	(0.5 miles, 0.9 km)
Hildenborough Station	(1.9 miles, 3.0 km, direction NW)
M26 Junction 2A	(7.9 miles, 12.6 km, direction N)
M20 Junction 2	(8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction N)
London Gatwick Airport	(19.7 miles, 31.7 km, direction W)
London City Airport	(22.9 miles, 36.8 km, direction NW)
Tonbridge Castle to London	(27.4 miles, 44.1 km, direction NW)

Accommodation & Hotels near Tonbridge Castle

Hotel Name
The Langley Hotel	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Best Western The Rose And Crown Hotel	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Ramada Tunbridge Wells	(4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction SE)
The Hadlow Manor Hotel	(4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction NE)
The Royal Wells Inn	(4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction S)
Russell Hotel	(4.6 miles, 7.3 km, direction S)
Smart And Simple Hotels	(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction S)
The Spa Hotel	(4.9 miles, 7.8 km, direction S)
Swan Hotel	(5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction S)
The Royal Oak Hotel	(5.5 miles, 8.9 km, direction NW)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts