Days Out
The Stone Cottage sits at the heart of one of the most rewarding corners of England. Medieval castles, ancient woodland, dramatic coastline, historic towns and some of the finest gardens in the country are all within easy reach. The distances and journey times below are a guide — we hope you find something that makes the most of your time here.
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Wakehurst Place
Sheffield Park
Hever Castle
Scotney Castle
Penshurst Place
Pantiles
Bluebell Railway
Spa Valley Railway
Lewes
Seven Sisters
Cuckmere Haven
Rye
Alfriston
Pooh Corner
Pooh Bridge
Hever Castle
Hever Castle is one of the most beautiful and historically important castles in England. A 14th century double-moated castle, it was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and played a central role in the Tudor history that shaped Britain's monarchy and religion. As well as the castle itself — with its panelled rooms, Tudor portraits and original artefacts — there are 125 acres of award-winning gardens to explore, including an Italian Garden, a lake, a yew maze and a water maze. A wonderful day out for all ages.
9.5 miles - 18 min
Penshurst Place
Penshurst Place is one of England's finest medieval manor houses, just a short drive from the cottage. It has been home to the Sidney family since 1552 and remains a private family home today. The 14th century Baron's Hall is one of the most impressive medieval rooms in the country, and the 11 acres of Elizabethan walled gardens — divided into individual rooms by a mile of yew hedging — are beautiful at any time of year. Wonderful for families and history lovers alike.
4.2 miles - 8 mins
Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle is a National Trust property just a few minutes from the cottage, and one of the most romantic and picturesque estates in England. At its heart is a ruined 14th century moated castle, deliberately left as a romantic ruin in the 1830s to create the perfect garden landscape. There is also a Victorian mansion house to explore, 780 acres of parkland and woodland, and beautiful gardens that are spectacular in every season. Book parking in advance — it gets busy.
11.1 miles - 26 mins
Wakehurst Place - Gardens
Wakehurst is the country home of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew — 500 acres of wild botanic garden, ancient woodland, meadows and formal gardens set around an Elizabethan mansion in the Sussex High Weald. It is also home to the Millennium Seed Bank, one of the most important conservation projects on the planet. Beautiful in every season and wonderful for families, walkers and garden lovers alike.
17.4 miles - 34 mins
Sheffield Park - Gardens
Sheffield Park is a National Trust Grade I listed landscape garden in East Sussex, designed in the 18th century by Capability Brown and Humphry Repton. Four mirror-like lakes are linked by bridges and cascades, surrounded by magnificent planting that changes with every season — spectacular in spring with rhododendrons, and famous for its autumn colour. The adjacent Bluebell Railway runs right past the estate, making a wonderful combined day out.
15.2 miles - 30 mins
Bluebell Railway - Steam Train
The Bluebell Railway is one of England's finest heritage steam railways, running 11 miles through beautiful Sussex countryside between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead, with stops at Horsted Keynes and Kingscote. Each station is restored to a different era, and an All Day Rover ticket lets you hop on and off as you please. Magical for families, railway enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a proper steam train.
15.2 miles - 30 mins
Pantiles - Shopping & Cafes
The Pantiles is the historic heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells — a beautiful Georgian colonnaded walkway lined with independent shops, art galleries, cafés, bars and restaurants. It was built around the Chalybeate Spring, discovered in 1606, whose iron-rich waters you can still taste in summer, served by costumed Dippers. In warmer months the bandstand comes alive with live jazz, and there are regular farmers markets, food festivals and antiques fairs throughout the year. Well worth an afternoon.
3.5 miles - 9 mins
Spa Valley - Steam Train
The Spa Valley Railway is a volunteer-run heritage steam railway running five miles through the High Weald countryside between Tunbridge Wells and Eridge, with a stop right here in Groombridge village. Hop on in the village, explore the engine shed and The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells, or continue to Eridge for a pub lunch and countryside walks. Dining trains, afternoon teas and special events run throughout the year — well worth checking the timetable before your visit.
0.9 miles - 2 mins
Lewes Town - Shopping
Lewes is the historic county town of East Sussex and one of the most rewarding day trips from the cottage. A Norman castle with panoramic views across the South Downs, medieval streets full of independent shops and antique dealers, Harvey's Brewery, the curious Anne of Cleves House, and some excellent places to eat and drink. In November it hosts the biggest Bonfire Night celebration in the world — spectacular if you happen to be visiting then, but book accommodation well in advance.
22.1 miles - 38 mins
Rye Town - Shopping
Rye is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in England and well worth a day trip. Perched on a hill above Romney Marsh, its steep cobbled streets — including the famous and impossibly pretty Mermaid Street — are lined with half-timbered houses, independent shops, antique dealers and excellent restaurants. Climb the tower of St Mary's Church for panoramic views, explore the 13th century Ypres Tower and its museum, and don't miss Camber Sands nearby if the weather is kind. A town full of smugglers' history, literary connections and genuine charm.
30.9 miles - 61 mins
Brighton Town - Seaside
Brighton is one of England's most vibrant and characterful seaside cities, just over an hour from the cottage by car or train. The seafront and its famous Palace Pier are the natural starting point, but the real joy of Brighton is in exploring the narrow alleyways of The Lanes for antiques and independent shops, and the bohemian North Laine neighbourhood for vintage finds, cafés and street art. The exotic Royal Pavilion — built as a pleasure palace for King George IV — is unmissable, and the surrounding Pavilion Gardens are lovely in summer. Brighton is also one of the most welcoming and diverse cities in the UK, with a brilliant food scene, live music venues and a packed calendar of festivals throughout the year.
31.3 miles - 60 mins
London
London is on your doorstep — just over an hour by train from Tunbridge Wells direct into Charing Cross or Cannon Street, making it an easy and very worthwhile day trip. The city needs little introduction, but whether it is world-class museums (all free), the Thames riverside, Borough Market, the Tower of London, Greenwich, or simply wandering through neighbourhoods like Shoreditch, Bermondsey or Notting Hill, there is genuinely something for everyone. A city that rewards repeat visits and never really runs out of things to discover.
30.9 miles - 61 mins
Alfriston Village - Shopping
Alfriston is one of the prettiest villages in East Sussex — a medieval High Street of timber-framed buildings, ancient inns, independent bookshops, galleries and tea rooms set in the Cuckmere Valley on the South Downs Way. The Star Inn dates to 1345, originally built for pilgrims en route to Chichester. The Alfriston Clergy House on the village green was the very first property acquired by the National Trust, in 1896. Wonderful for a lazy afternoon, a long lunch, or as a stopping point on a walk down to Cuckmere Haven.
30.6 miles - 45 mins
Pooh Bridge & Pooh Corner
The village of Hartfield on the edge of the Ashdown Forest is the real-life inspiration for A.A. Milne's Hundred Acre Wood, where he wrote the Winnie-the-Pooh stories while living nearby at Cotchford Farm. Start at Pooh Corner on the High Street — a charming tearoom and gift shop — then follow the footpath through the forest to Poohsticks Bridge, the original bridge where the game was invented. Keep your eyes open along the way for the houses of Pooh, Piglet and Owl hidden among the trees. Wear boots — it gets muddy — and bring your own sticks, as the bridge is reliably stripped bare by previous visitors.
4.7 miles - 9 mins
Seven Sisters - Walking
The Seven Sisters are one of the most dramatic and beautiful stretches of coastline in England — eight chalk cliffs (despite the name) rising and falling along the Sussex Heritage Coast between Seaford and Eastbourne. The views from the cliff top are breathtaking in any weather, and the walk from the visitor centre at Exceat along the Cuckmere Valley to the sea and up onto the cliffs is one of the finest coastal walks in the country. Birling Gap, managed by the National Trust, is the ideal base — with a café, beach access and visitor facilities. Allow a full day, wear good shoes, and stay well back from the cliff edges.
33.9 miles - 53 mins
Cuckmere Haven - Walking
Cuckmere Haven is where the River Cuckmere meets the sea at the foot of the South Downs — a beautiful, peaceful spot that is best known for the iconic view of the four coastguard cottages framed against the Seven Sisters cliffs behind them. One of the most photographed scenes in England. The flat riverside path from the visitor centre at Exceat is suitable for all ages and abilities, while the cliff-top walk to Birling Gap and beyond rewards those with more energy. Arrive early in summer — parking fills up fast and the beach gets busy.
33.9 miles - 53 mins