Groombridge Place Garden

Groombridge Place is a moated manor house which features a series of traditional, walled gardens. The gardens are set out in 200 acres of formal gardens which are separated into garden “rooms”. The different gardens comprise the knot garden, white rose garden, oriental garden, peacock garden, herbaceous borders, and a secret garden.     

Each garden has its own special features, for example the White Rose Garden has over 20 varieties of white roses and the Secret garden gets its name from its location in deep shade and a hidden corner. The Drunken Garden promises to be fun with its crazy topiary. The planting in the gardens has been planned so that there is colour and interest from early spring to autumn. 

Children especially will be anxious to see the Enchanted Forest. This area contains the Dark Walk, Serpent’s Lair and the Mystic Pool. Almost a quarter of a mile in length, the Dark Walk offers a number of activities such as rope walks and swings. The Enchanted Forest is also home to Crusoe’s World, built using props and sets from the TV series “Crusoe”. 

The house and gardens at Groombridge have also starred in other films and TV productions, most notably the 1982 film The Draughtsman’s Contract and the 2009 TV production of The Day of The Triffids. 

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a regular visitor to Groombridge and used it as the setting for a Sherlock Holmes mystery The Valley of Fear. Now Groombridge has returned the compliment by housing the Conan Doyle Museum which contains many exhibits connected with the writer.

 A visit to Groombridge is not for the faint hearted as there are many ghost stories connected with the house and gardens.  The most famous is the Ostler. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle talks about a ghostly encounter in the book  "At the Edge of the Unknown". 

Children will be on the lookout for the zeedonk, a cross between a donkey and a zebra and one of only two in the UK. 

For eating visitors have the choice of a licensed restaurant or enjoying a picnic in the spacious grounds. A gift shop sells souvenirs to suit all pockets. 

There is good access to all areas for wheelchairs and pushchairs. 

Baby changing facilities are provided. 

Contact Details: 
Groombridge 
Tunbridge Wells 
Kent 
TN3 9QG  
Tel:  +44 (0)1892 861 444