An elegant town, Royal Tunbridge Wells is still a spa town with waters strong in iron salts. By the 18th century it became a favorite resort for many including Beau Nash, the first shops and colonnades were built and the paving stones which gave the name 'Pantiles' to the oldest street were laid at the request of Queen Anne. Charles 1 spent much time here, the 17th century church is named after him.

The original Abbey now in ruins dates from the early 13th century, it was built on a pretty stretch of the River Teise, which forms the Kent-Sussex border. On the Kent side there is a private Tudor house also called Bayham Abbey.

Once an important iron producing center, Lamberhurst was also notorious for its illicit trade with France. The 16th Century Owl House was a smugglers haunt, so named because of the warning signal hoots. In a wooded valley near the town are the ruins of the 14th century moated Scotney Castle. The new castle was built between 1837 and 1843 and is now a National Trust property.

William Penn, founder of the state of Pennsylvania owned ironworks at Hawkhurst in the 17th century. Sir William Herschel the astronomer discovered Uranus whilst here. During the 18th Century the Hawk Hurst gang of smugglers used the Royal Oak Inn as their headquarters.

Sissinghurst Gardens are among the finest in England. They were created by Vita Sackville-West and her husband Sir Harold Nicholson in the 1930's. There are a series of gardens now looked after by the National Trust. The house is Tudor built in 1535.

A prosperous wool town in the 14th century, Cranbrook was at one time larger than nearby Maidstone. St Dunstan's Church dates from this period and is known as the Cathedral of the Weald.

400 feet above the Weald of Kent, Goudhurst has a 13th century castle, with marks on the walls attributed to archers sharpening their arrows before leaving to fight the French in Agincourt.

The Star & Eagle Inn was once joined to the church by a tunnel, it was used by smugglers who flourished in the area. There are many old houses of weatherboard and tile in the village, several of which are preserved by the National Trust.

Penshurst Palace, ancestral home of the Sidney family, is one of England's greatest family owned stately homes. In many ways time has stood still, the great house is still very much a medieval building with improvements and additions over the centuries. Its highlight is without doubt the Barons Hall, built in 1341 with a 60ft high chestnut beamed roof. A marvelous mix of painting, tapestries and furniture dating from the 15th to 18th century can be seen throughout the house.