Local Places of Interest
Enjoy a relaxing light lunch at the Leicester Arms at Penshurst before heading off to visit the many local places of interest all within a short walk, cycle ride or drive. Or after a busy day sight-seeing you know there will be a warm welcome at the Leicester Arms to end the day on a high note enjoying an early evening meal in the bar, or at the weekend you may like to consider our daily ‘A La Carte’ menu. You can enjoy a meal or simply a pleasant drink in the garden before setting off home after an enjoyable day out. Wherever you go you really are spoilt for choice – and to do the area justice you will need to visit again and again – naturally the team here in Penshurst will be delighted to serve you.
The Leicester Arms is often the base where cyclists and ramblers meet before setting off for a circuitous morning ride along the famous safe ‘Penshurst to Tonbridge’ cycle route. Take one of the many cross-country walks across fields along river banks and through leafy woods before returning to base for a well earned drink and lunch in one of the bars, or enjoy a meal in the garden that overlooks the rolling hills that is so much a part of the English country-side.
If you are travelling just a little further afield then you may wish to set our sister Inn ‘The Wheatsheaf at Bough Beech’ (www.wheatsheafatboughbeech.com) as your base for exploring this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty where you will also find many places of interest. We have listed them below after the ‘Penshurst area places of interest’.
Penshurst Place – A truly delightful 650 year old historical country house, gardens and extensive park, through which the cycle route runs, offering a delightful mix of events to entertain all the family throughout the year. A history of the Sidney family and their links to Queen Elizabeth is to be found on the local history page.
Spring will see ‘Medieval Easter Celebrations’ and The Weald of Kent Craft show.
Summer has, among other events, the must do for all garden lovers, ‘The Head Gardeners Tour’ and Family Fun Weekend to a ‘Don Giovanni Opera’ and a fun event, ‘Have a Go Croquet’ on the south lawn.
Autumn offers, in the run up to Father Christmas making an early delivery to the gift shop, an evening with David Starkey as well as a ‘Spooky Holiday Happening to delight children of all ages.
There is also the ‘Farmer’s Market’ that takes place adjacent to the Gift Shop, the first Saturday in every month throughout the year. www.penshurstplace.com
Tonbridge Castle – 700 years old and still standing! Tonbridge Castle is the place to visit in the summer and early autumn. The open air concerts in the Tonbridge Castle grounds are more intimate affairs than those in places such as Leeds Castle where many thousands gather to attend concerts. That is why you will find well attended and organised open-air music and theatre productions throughout the summer. The festival of music and fireworks is spectacular and the Medieval Fairs in early autumn are different and interesting. www.tonbridgecastle.org
The Pantiles – is that part of Royal Tunbridge Wells that no self respecting visitor would want to miss. Antiques and art collections, book stores, a delightful unique shopping arcade and probably one of the best cook-shops in the UK – all set in the historic elegance of attractive pedestrian walkways along with a host of other distinctive shops offering a wide range of products including Victoria Place, a large shopping mall in the centre of town. And this is just four miles from the Leicester Arms at Penshurst where you can enjoy a delicious meal after a, hopefully, not too expensive shopping trip! They also have an extensive farmer’s market a couple of times a month – go to website for dates. www.thepantilesonline.co.uk
Groombridge Place – just ten minutes from the Leicester Arms, another stately home with a host of events and activities throughout the spring and summer months and a dramatic end to the season with a barrage of fun, music and fireworks in November. The gardens and enchanted forest along with the country railway are some of the static attractions. The season has events like: ‘Wings, Wheels and Steam’, a ‘Ballooning Weekend’ and an exciting sword-fighting and flame-throwing show named, ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ for the child in all of us. www.groombridge.co.uk