Pictures of England

Search:

Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Windermere Islands

Windermere

in the county of Cumbria

Haile Sand Fort, mouth for the River Humber off Humberston, Cleethorpes

Humberston

in the county of Lincolnshire

Pictures of Cranbrook

a Historic Market Town in the county of Kent

About Cranbrook

Cranbrook is an old rural town of numerous streets and alley's, all still true to their medieval layout. It is a real "showcase" for a rich variety of properties displaying typical Wealden features, weatherboarding, stucco and timber framing, with the origins of many of the buildings lying deep in 15th century England.

The town is sheer bliss, its main streets are lined with enchanting individual shops where the owner greets you in a friendly welcoming fashion. The diverse range of shops covers from delicatessens to antiques, with boutiques specialising in art and jewellery, even an old fashioned iron-mongers. Thus the shopper is guaranteed to always find something that little bit special.

Historically, the history of the town lies lost with the Roman Empire and beyond. The town received its market charter from Edward I, and two weekly markets and twice yearly fairs continued well into the 19th century. In the 14th century Cranbrook flourished as a centre for cloth, but this had begun to decline at the turn of the 17th century and the 19th century saw the demise of cloth and the population fell as people transferred to other regions in search work. Fortunately other industries set up, rope making became popular and a carrier business operated from within the town. These industries are celebrated today by street names such as Rope Walk, Carrier's Road and the Tanyard.

By Victorian times Cranbrook had once again become a busy market town, but the arrival of the railways made it easier to obtain cheaper goods and again the town fell into decline. Agriculture steadily continued with a ready market for hops and fruit. This period also saw the inception of Cranbrook Boarding School which headmaster Charles Crowden developed out of the old Tudor Grammar School. Another plus for the picturesque village was that it attracted a number of artists.

Today, with its impressive buildings, inns from a by-gone era, cafe's and restaurants Cranbrook has become a popular inland resort town, it is an ideal place for that perfect weekend spent in an ambience of rural charm that despite the onslaught of World Wars One and Two, shows little sign of change. It lies in close proximity to several other pretty Wealden villages such as picturesque Benenden, Wadhurst with its interesting Church and glorious Tenterden with its wealth of weather boarded properties and gentile atmosphere.

Cranbrook is easily accessible for a number of tourist attractions, these include the famous Union Mill built in 1814 which stands as a landmark overlooking the town, and the close by historic gardens of Sissinghurst, administered by the National Trust. For anyone seeking breath of sea air the old harbour of Hastings lies around 30 miles to the south, this can be easily reached in around forty minutes via a couple of excellent roads.

Recommended towns & villages near Cranbrook

Marle Place Gardens, Brenchley, Kent - TN12 7HS

Brenchley (10 Pictures) in the county of Kent

(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction NW of Cranbrook)

Brenchley is a beautiful "showpiece" village full of picturesque Tudor cottages, complimented by houses from the Regency and Victorian periods...

A picture of Burwash

Burwash (49 Pictures) in the county of East Sussex

(9.3 miles, 15.0 km, direction SW of Cranbrook)

It is from his home in this very English village that Rudyard Kipling penned the wise and wonderful words of his poem 'If'...

Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells (67 Pictures) in the county of Kent

(12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction W of Cranbrook)

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. ..

Battle Abbey

Battle (68 Pictures) in the county of East Sussex

(12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction S of Cranbrook)

Battle is a unique town in the county of Sussex built on the very site where William the Conqueror defeated king Harold of England and his Saxon army in 'The Battle of Hastings' in 1066...

Mayfield

Mayfield (6 Pictures) in the county of East Sussex

(13.0 miles, 20.9 km, direction SW of Cranbrook)

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...

All towns & villages in Kent
Complete A to Z of towns & villages in England

Nearby attractions..

Sissinghurst Castle garden, Nr Cranbrook, Kent

Sissinghurst Castle Garden (189 Pictures)

(1.9 miles, 3.1 km, direction NE)

It is entirely fitting that one of the loveliest gardens in the land can be found in a county renowned for its beauty and.....

The beautiful Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Scotney Castle (190 Pictures)

(5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction W)

What could be more romantic than to wander amongst the ruins of moated Scotney Castle, believed to have been begun in the latter.....

Marle Place Gardens, Brenchley, Kent - TN12 7HS

Marle Place Gardens (21 Pictures)

(6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction W)

..

Bodiam Castle July 2009

Bodiam Castle (95 Pictures)

(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction S)

The wonderful parapet, walls and high round towers of 14th-century Bodiam Castle are gloriously reflected in its broad moat. It.....

Bayham Abbey, Lamberhurst, Kent

Bayham Abbey (13 Pictures)

(7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction W)

Built in the 13th century, and set in beautiful surroundings, Bayham Abbey is a favourite of painters and photographers...

Batemans Gardens 25 June 2011

Bateman's (62 Pictures)

(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction SW)

Bateman's was built in 1634. From 1902 until 1936 it became the home of Rudyard Kipling and is preserved as it was when he lived.....

Leeds Castle in Kent

Leeds Castle (333 Pictures)

(11.2 miles, 18.1 km, direction N)

Listed in the Domesday Book, this castle has been a Norman stronghold, a royal residence for six of England's medieval queens, a.....


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