Brenchley Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Brenchley Wood is a nature reserve south of Paddock Wood in Kent. It is managed by the Kent Wildlife Trust.
Brenchley Wood is a nature reserve south of Paddock Wood in Kent. It is managed by the Kent Wildlife Trust.
Flowering Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Bluebell Wood, near to Matfield, Kent, Great Britain. On High Weald Landscape Trail footpath off Bramble Reed Lane.
Photo by Oast House Archive (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Cottage on Tong Rd
Photo by Nigel Chadwick (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Furnace Pond: Horsmonden's 17th century iron foundry The north-east end of Furnace Pond. The head of water from this 16 acre lake once powered the giant hammer of John Browne's forge, the flames of which could be "seen about the country at 10 miles distance". With the abundance of iron ore in the local clay and of wood to fuel the blast furnace, Horsmonden in 1613 had 200 men employed in its iron foundry under John Browne. Such was Browne's skill in casting and proving guns that he was later granted a monopoly as "Gunfounder for the King's Service". In 1638 Charles I himself was here to watch a gun being cast. Browne also supplied guns to the Dutch, at that time the greatest sea power. Then, on the arrival of Cromwell and the Commonwealth, he was quick to switch his allegiance and was casting guns for Parliament until his death in 1651. When this former King's Gunfounder was buried, an impressive alabaster and black marble monument was erected to him in Horsmonden parish church 917323. But it stands there no longer. A 19th century Rector, an ardent Royalist, could not abide to see a memorial in his church to a man who had turned his coat for Cromwell, and removed it! See other snippets from the surprising history of Horsmonden at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2_ZstVBZSfIC&lpg=PA1&pg=PA99#v=onepage&q=&f=true There is little now to show for this once great industry apart from such local names as Flightshot Farm TQ6840, Furnace Pond, and the old Gun Inn, and several chalybeate springs. See also Gallery at: https://www.geograph.org.uk/gallery/the_history_of_horsmonden_8738
Photo by D Gore (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

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ORIDA Maidstone Hotel

ORIDA Maidstone Hotel

3 out of 5
Bearsted Rd Maidstone England
Stay at this hotel in Maidstone. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,265 reviews)
Would definitely recommend! Facilities are great especially the gym, one of the best i’ve seen. Only thing is Steam room was very weak. Christmas buffet had a good selection and breakfast was nice.

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

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ORIDA Maidstone Hotel
Village Hotel Maidstone

Village Hotel Maidstone

3.5 out of 5
Castle View, Forstal Road Maidstone England
The price is AU$129 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
AU$129
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Maidstone. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
The bathroom was starting to flood from the shower so i took out the plug to be greeted by a plug hole full of hair .which i cleaned out . please see attached picture. The breakfast was bacon that looked raw, Mushrooms that had been boiled to with an inch disintegration. When i complained didn't ...

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

Village Hotel Maidstone
Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel & Spa

Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel & Spa

4 out of 5
Brands Hatch, J3 Sevenoaks England
The price is AU$97 per night from 29 Mar to 30 Mar
AU$97
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Sevenoaks. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,011 reviews)
Booked this for my parents’ anniversary, they loved it and said staff were nice. Request was also actioned which was amazing. Only con was they only offer indian food for dinner, so my mom was not able to eat anything and she does not like it, would be nice to have a more versatile selection of different ...

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026

Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel & Spa
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Lower Bell

The Lower Bell

3 out of 5
201 Old Chatham Road Aylesford England
Stay at this apartment in Aylesford. Enjoy free parking, a business centre and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Oare Marshes Nature Reserve and Kent Life ...
The Lower Bell
Extraordinary Huts

Extraordinary Huts

3 out of 5
2 Nicole's Cottages Rye England
Stay at this cabin in Rye. Enjoy free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Camber Sands and St. Thomas the Martyr are located nearby.
Extraordinary Huts
Character Beamed Country Retreat with self check in/out in historic 1066 country

Character Beamed Country Retreat with self check in/out in historic 1066 country

Broad Oak ENG
Stay at this cottage in Rye. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Great Dixter House and Gardens and Carr Taylor Vineyard are ...
Character Beamed Country Retreat with self check in/out in historic 1066 country
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Penshurst Place and Gardens which includes a fountain and a garden

Penshurst Place and Gardens

Explore this 14th-century Elizabethan manor with its long history, walled gardens, children’s playgrounds and scenic picnic areas.

Penshurst Place and Gardens
Hop Farm Family Park which includes zoo animals and land animals

Hop Farm Family Park

Let the kids enjoy a blend of adventure, magic and wildlife with a scenic backdrop of rolling hills and forests at this park east of Tonbridge.

Hop Farm Family Park
Tranquil river boat trip

Tonbridge Castle

Tonbridge Castle is just one of the places to see in Tonbridge, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Make time to visit the area's spas or simply enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Tonbridge Castle
Dog walking and cycling park with lakes, rivers, woods, fields and a great little cafe that sells homemade burgers

Haysden Country Park

Explore the great outdoors at Haysden Country Park, a lovely green space in Tonbridge. Make time to visit the area's spas or simply enjoy its lively bars.

Haysden Country Park

Balfour Winery

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Balfour Winery during your travels to Staplehurst.

Balfour Winery

The Hop Farm Country Park

Explore the great outdoors at The Hop Farm Country Park, a lovely green space in Yalding. Visit the spas and lively bars in this quaint area.

The Hop Farm Country Park

Activities

Leeds Castle, Canterbury & White Cliffs

Leeds Castle, Canterbury & White Cliffs

AU$1,750
per traveller
Leeds Castle, Canterbury & White Cliffs
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