Tonbridge & Malling

The Tonbridge and Malling Borough covers an area from the North Downs at Burham and Snodland in the north, to the town of Tonbridge in the south. The River Medway flows in a north easterly direction, through the borough towards the Medway Gap.

The borough is mainly agricultural - orchards, and livestock in the main - although the proximity of the railways and the motorway means that commuting is easy from the surrounding villages.

A remnant of the once flourishing hop-growing industry is provided by a tourist attraction at Beltring. Experience a fun-filled family day taking in a Dray ride with the Shire horses in the recently expanded Animal Village or learning about hop-picking heritage in the interactive Hop Story Museum.

East Malling Research Station disseminates results of research into matters affecting horticultural crops, with particular emphasis on the fruit, hop and nursery stock industries.

The Mediaeval town of West Malling with its range of beautiful Elizabethan, Jacobean, Queen Anne, Georgian and Victorian houses is based around St Mary’s Abbey which is still occupied by Benedictine Nuns. Set in the lovely Kent countryside with Manor Park and Lake, this thriving community is full of old pubs, especially good eating houses and unique village shops. Winners of the prestigious Kent Rural Community of the Year 2012.

Tonbridge sits in the centre of Kentish life, a market town since the middle ages that is still vibrant today. It nestles beside the River Medway and its 11th century castle. This is one of Kent’s finest examples of a motte-and-bailey gatehouse where audio tours and interactive exhibits bring Kentish history to life.

For more information have a look at the Visit Kent website for Tonbridge and Malling.

Image courtesy of Visit Kent.