TICKETS & PRICES

Adults: £9.00
Children: £9.50
Families: £28.00

TICKETS AVAILABLE ON ARRIVAL

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Visiting Tonbridge Castle

The history of Tonbridge Castle spans a period from pre-1066 to World War II. Many architectural details survive today. Easily accessible from London, Tonbridge Castle currently hosts weddings, baby-naming ceremonies, and business conferences. A tour and presentations explore the Castle's history.

Parking

Tonbridge Castle does not offer onsite parking. However, parking is available in the town of Tonbridge and is within walking distance of the Castle. Upper Castle Field is the closest car park. Sat nav users should enter the postal code TN9 1BH.

 

Price

Purchasing tickets is available via credit/debit cards only. They do not currently accept cash payments.

 

Family

£28.00

Adult Season Ticket

£30.00

Adults

£9.00

Children/Senior Citizens

£9.50 (Children under 5 are free and must be accompanied by an adult.)

Groups

One person receives free admission for every 10 purchased admissions. Groups may contain a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 30.

Educational Tours

£6.00 per child and £8.60 per additional adult. Free admission for one adult for every 10 children. Available year-round.

Educational Workshop

£95.00 (Available year-round for children from 5 to 12. Teachers notes and activity sheets will be sent by email with confirmation of booking.)

 

Opening

Tonbridge Castle is open seven days a week:

  • Monday to Thursday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Friday: 9 am to 4:30 pm
  • Saturday to Sunday: 10:30 am to 4:30 pm

Educational tours for school groups are available from 10 am to 3 pm (Maximum group size limited to 60 children divided into groups of 20

The Castle grounds are open daily year-round from 8 am to dusk (excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, and for scheduled special events and private functions).

Please check the website for closures due to special events or private functions.

Plan Day Visit
Wedding Enquiry

Location and Access

 

Tonbridge Castle is located at Castle Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1BG.

If arriving by car, follow A26 to Quarry Hill Road. Continue on Quarry Hill Road to Tonbridge High Street (A227).

When travelling by coach, it's best to book your trip in advance. Please call the Tourist Information Centre before your visit. When you arrive, come to the Tourist Information Centre to make payment for your trip.

If arriving by rail, the walk through High Street from Tonbridge Station to Tonbridge Castle takes approximately 10 minutes.

Know Before You Go

  • You can reserve indoor and outdoor spaces for weddings, baby naming ceremonies, exhibitions, and business conferences and training sessions.
  • You may schedule times for taking individual or group photos.
  • Educational tours and workshops for school groups can be scheduled in advance.
  • The written tour provides you with time to view everything at your own pace. You can also choose an audio tour in English, Dutch. French, German, or Spanish. 
  • The tour includes interactive recreations of Medieval life with sounds and costumed, life-like models. Very young or sensitive children may be upset by spaces with low lighting or by some of the vivid recreations of some scenes of Medieval life.
  • The ground floor of the Gatehouse and the surrounding grounds are accessible to the disabled, but steep steps limit access to upper floors and the cellar.

Places To Stay Nearby

One Warwick Park

The One Warwick Park Hotel is located just 8 kilometres (5 miles) from Tonbridge Castle at 1 Warwick Park in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

The hotel offers 39 bedrooms and suites with a choice of four types of bedrooms. Another option is the house at One Warwick Park. The townhouse provides room for up to eight occupants in the centre of Tunbridge Wells. 

Book

Premier Inn Tonbridge Hotel

Only minutes away from the Tonbridge town centre, Premier Inn Tonbridge Hotel offers free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee facilities, Hypnos beds, and an on-site restaurant. The hotel is near many attractions including Tonbridge Castle, Hop Farm, Leeds Castle, Bewl Water, and Penshurst Place and Gardens. 

Book

Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club

Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club, in East Sussex, is 20.9 kilometres (13 miles) from Tonbridge Castle. Located near Forest Row in Wych Cross, Ashdown Park provides the comforts of a country house hotel.

Book

History of Tonbridge Castle 

William the Conqueror gave Tonbridge Castle to Richard FitzGilbert after the Battle of Hastings. The FitzGilberts, known as the de Clares, engaged in rebellions against William II, John I, and Henry III. Later, Tonbridge Castle was slighted but was part of the "Ironside Line" during World War II. 

Time Line

- 1066

  • William 1 bestowed Tonbridge Castle upon his cousin Richard FitzGilert (later de Clare).
  • Richard built the original motte-and-bailey Castle with a wooden keep.

- 1088

  • William II set siege to Tonbridge Castle. Richard was wounded and surrendered after two days. The Castle and town were burned to the ground, and Richard was forced to join a monastery. Eventually, the de Clares accepted William II as King and Tonbridge Castle was returned to them.

- 1215

  • King John captured Tonbridge Castle and made it Crown Property.

- 1253

  • Henry III granted Richard de Clare permission to build a wall and embattlement around the town of Tonbridge. Richard began building a new castle which included his portrait in stone.

- 1264

  • Henry III took Tonbridge Castle and captured Gilbert's wife, Alice.

- 1274

  • Gilbert entertained Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castille at Tonbridge Castle. Their portraits in stone joined those of Richard and Gilbert de Clare. The images of Edward I and Queen Eleanor held positions of honour at the Castle.

- 1317

  • The division of the de Clare titles and lands among Gilbert's three sisters -- Eleanor, Margaret, and Elizabeth -- was settled. Eleanor, the eldest, received the title of Lady of Glamorgan and was the first to receive Tonbridge Castle. The titles and control of the lands were passed to the husbands of the sisters.

- 1521

  • The right of his heirs to inherit Edward's lands and titles was forfeited, and Tonbridge Castle became Crown Property. 
  • Between 1521 and 1642, Tonbridge Castle was given to a succession of court favourites but was not used as a residence.

- 1642

  • Parliament sent attorney Thomas Weller to Tonbridge Castle at the beginning of the Civil War to collect taxes and report on any unrest. Weller lived there with his wife.

- 1647

  • Near the end of the Civil War, Thomas Weller received orders from Parliament to slight Tonbridge Castle so that it could never again be used for military purposes.

- 1739

  • Thomas Hooker bought Tonbridge Castle. He sold stone from the Castle to be used to build locks along the Medway River to make it more navigable. 

- 1791

  • After the Hookers attempted to turn the Gatehouse into a residence, Thomas Hooker's son, John, used more stone from the Castle to build a Georgian mansion in the wall next to the Gatehouse. 

- 1898

  • The Tonbridge Urban District Council bought Tonbridge Castle. John Hooker's mansion became the Council Chamber and offices for the Council. 

- 1939 to 1951

  • Tonbridge Castle became part of the Ironside Line of defences designed to protect Britain from a land attack by the Germans. Anti-tank pillboxes were installed at the ends of the south curtain wall.

- 1954 to 1956

  • Much needed extensive repairs were made to Tonbridge Castle.

- 1989 to 1992

  • The Gatehouse received restoration work.

Tonbridge Castle Occupants

Some of the most notable occupants of Tonbridge Castle include: 

  • Richard FitzGilbert (b. 1035 -- d. 1090)
  • Gilbert Fitz Richard (b. 1066 -- d. 1117)
  • Richard Fitz Gilbert de Clare (b. 1094 -- d. 1136)
  • Gilbert Fitz Richard (b. 1115 -- d. 1152
  • Roger de Clare (b. 1116 -- d. 1173)
  • Richard de Clare (b. 1153 -- d. 1217)
  • Gilbert de Clare (b. 1180 -- d. 1230)
  • Richard de Clare (b. 1222 -- d. 1262)
  • Gilbert de Clare, the Red Earl (b. 1243 -- d. 1295)
  • Gilbert de Clare (b. 1291 -- d. 1314)
  • Hugh Dispenser, the Younger (b. Between 1287 and 1289 -- d. 1326)
  • Hugh de Audley (b. circa 1291 -- d. 1347 Kent, England)
  • Ralph de Stafford (b. 1301 -- d. 1372)
  • Hugh de Stafford (b. circa 1342 -- d. 1386)
  • Thomas Stafford, 3rd Earl of Stafford (b. circa 1368 -- d. 1392
  • William Stafford, 4th Earl of Stafford (b. 1375 -- d. 1395
  • Edmund Stafford, 5th Earl of Stafford (b. 1377 -- d. 1403)
  • Humphrey Stafford,1st Duke of Buckingham (b. 1402 -- d. 1460)
  • Henry Stafford, 2nd Duke of Buckingham (b. 1455 -- d. 1483)
  • Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham (b. 1478 -- d. 1521)
  • Thomas Weller
  • John Hooke
  • Thomas Hooker

Images of Tonbridge Castle

Tonbridge Castle Tonbridge Castle Tonbridge Castle
Tonbridge Castle Tonbridge Castle

Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package

Tonbridge Castle Facts

Erecting the motte and digging the moat around Tonbridge Castle required moving 50,000 tonnes (55,115.566 tons) of earth, all done by hand with simple tools and unskilled labour. 

On its web page about Tonbridge Castle, TonbridgeHistory.org states that the wooden keeps quickly constructed by the Normans would probably have lasted only 20 years.

A portrait of Gilbert de Clare, the Red Earl, can still be seen at Tonbridge Castle. Stone portraits of King Edward and Queen Eleanor had places of honour at the Castle. 

A massive Medieval fireplace, arrow loops in the walls, and garderobe chutes remain at Tonbridge Castle. 

The garderobe chutes guided waste from the interior toilets to latrines, the moat, or in some castles, a slit high up in the wall that allowed the waste simply to flow down the exterior of the Castle. In some early castles, the toilets were merely holes in the floor. 

Tonbridge Castle Q&A

What Type of Castle Is Tonbridge Castle?

Tonbridge Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey castle. The motte is the mound, and a wooden keep or Tower stands on top of it. The bailey is an area enclosed by a thick wall of dirt topped with a palisade of heavy timbers. These castles required only unskilled labour and simple tools to build. 

With a sufficient number of men, the Normans could quickly build protective shelters as they invaded England. 

Why Did the Normans Choose Tonbridge as a Site for a Castle?

The Medway River protects Tonbridge Castle to the south and provides water to fill a moat. Tonbridge castle also guards a ford, a bridge, and the road from Hastings to London. Finally, the Castle allows forces from Tonbridge to quickly join with forces from Dover and Rochester to defend London. 

Is Tonbridge Castle Available for Business Meetings?

Tonbridge Castle offers the Castle Board Room for smaller meetings and the 18th Century Chamber Room for larger gatherings. The two rooms can also be used together. The seating can be arranged in classroom, theatre, u-shaped, or boardroom layouts. The Day Delegate rate includes a light buffet lunch.

Is Tonbridge Castle Available for Indoor Photo Sessions?

You can schedule time at Tonbridge Castle for personal or family photo sessions for yourself or as a gift to someone else. We offer 30-minute slots starting at 4:00 pm on any day the Castle is open to the public. 

Does Tonbridge Castle Offer a Space for Outdoor Events?

Tonbridge Castle hosts outdoor events on the beautiful, expansive space of Bailey Lawn. Whatever type of event you envision, we will assist you throughout the entire process of bringing your vision to life.

Location of Tonbridge Castle

Tonbridge Castle is located in its namesake town, Tonbridge, a small market town just north of Royal Tunbridge Wells and south of London. The town has a population of more than 41,000 and sits on the River Medway.

The castle’s address is Tonbridge Castle, Castle Street, Tonbridge,  Kent.   TN9 1BG.   United Kingdom.

Other Places To Visit Near Tonbridge Castle

The Pantiles in Royal Tunbridge Wells

 

Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, The Pantiles was the walk leading to the chalybeate spring. Chalybeate or ferruginous springs are mineral water springs that contain salts of iron. The spring drew visitors to the town for its medicinal benefits starting in the 17th century. The Georgian architecture now makes the area popular for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Willow's Birds of Prey Centre

 

The Willow's Birds of Prey Centre occupies 8 hectares (20-acres) of a former nursery. Visitors can view raptors, a Falabella miniature horse, alpacas, a rare breed of pigs, goats, chickens, raccoon dogs, rabbits, chipmunks, wallabies, parrots, and ferrets along the nature trail. The raptors include eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls. Guests can enjoy an experience guided by a staff member. Willow even offers a falconry course.

Chartwell 

 

Chartwell, the home of Sir Winston Churchill, remains much the same as when Churchill lived here, including the marble coloured kitty roaming around the house and the black swans on the lake. The collection includes his books, papers, and mementoes. Visitors can stroll the grounds, which are beautiful any season of the year. 

Hadlow Tower

 

The 53.34-metre (175-foot) Hadlow Tower was built around 1840. It was part of a Romantic Gothic-style castle buIlt by Walter. May. Also known as May's Folly, it is the tallest folly in the UK, exceeding Nelson's Column by 2.4 metres (8 feet). It was built of brick using Roman Cement. 

Whether you believe it was built to display May's or to spy on his ex-wife, Hadlow Tower and the Castle survived the bombing of England by Germany during WWII. However, in 1951, the Castle was scavenged for building material. 

Bernard Hailstone RP bought the Tower and other outbuildings to save them from being demolished. The Tower was sold two more times. Then, it was damaged by severe storms in 1987. In 1998, the World Monument Fund listed Hadley Tower as one of the world's 100 most endangered buildings. The Tower's restoration received the Angel Award.

Leeds Castle - Maidstone

 

Sitting on 202.34 hectares (500-acres) of gardens and parkland, Leeds Castle dates back to at least the Norman era in 1086. It is known as "the loveliest castle in the world" and is currently one of Britain's most popular historic sites. Some members of royalty who owned and lived in Leeds Castle include Queen Eleanor of Castille, King Edward III, King Henry IV, Henry V, and King Edward IV. 

Penshurst Place & Gardens - Tonbridge 

 

Penshurst Place dates back to at least 1346 and represents a well-preserved, fortified manor house. It was owned by two of Henry IV's sons and Henry VIII, who used it as a hunting lodge. Henry VIII gave it to Anne of Cleves in their divorce. 

Then, Sir Ralph Fane owned it. Finally, in 1552, it became the property of Sir William Sidney as a gift of Henry VIII's son Edward IV to reward his steward and tutor. The Sidney family has owned and occupied the house ever since then. 

The 19.4-hectare (48-acre) grounds include a 4.45-hectare (11-acre) garden, a bike trail, and a walking trail. The bike trail is part of the regional bike trail #12 that runs from Tonbridge to Penshurst. 

The walking trails include the Penshurst Trail and the Riverside Walk. They are part of the regional walk #10 and Eden Valley Walk. Also included on the grounds are the Old Coach House, a Toy Museum, a maize maze, and a garden restaurant.

Hever Castle

 

Built in 1270, the double-moated Hever Castle includes the Gatehouse and walled bailey. During the 15th and 16th centuries, it was owned by the family of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII. Henry VIII later gave Hever Castle to Anne of Cleves. 

Inside the house, visitors will find period furniture, antiques, tapestries, and a collection of Tudor paintings. The grounds offer ornamental gardens, statues, and a lake. Additional activities include the 9-metre (29.5-foot) tall Tudor Towers Adventure Playground with four bedrooms, a drawbridge, three turrets, and a moat. 

Children can swing, cross an aerial runway, climb frames, paint shields, and learn archery. The jousting displays will be a favourite with everyone.

Sources