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Travel connections and excellent schools make Tonbridge the perfect spot for commuters

Posted 6 June 2016

With a population of around 40,000, Tonbridge is surrounded by countryside and is an increasingly popular place for commuters offering quick travel times and families seeking excellent schools...

The River Medway runs through the centre of the market town of Tonbridge in Kent giving it much character along with the town’s 11th century castle – Kent’s best example of a motte-and-bailey gatehouse.

Tonbridge is around four miles north of Royal Tunbridge Wells, 12 miles south west of Maidstone and 29 miles south east of London. Fast trains to London Bridge take 38 minutes, Charing Cross or Cannon Street take 44 minutes.

The town has a busy high street with the usual array of chains and independent shops and eateries. Sainsbury’s and Waitrose also have branches there and there’s a Saturday market and a farmers’ market on the second Sunday of the month. 

Leisure facilities include a good swimming pool and leisure centre and the Oast Theatre, housed in an original oast house, with many major productions throughout the year. Haysden Country Park, to the west of town is a great location for a family day out. With two lakes and a stretch of the River Medway running through it, the park is a popular venue for water sports.

Education is a huge draw for families with three high achieving grammar schools located in the town itself: The Judd School, Weald of Kent Grammar School and Tonbridge Grammar School. Tonbridge School is the leading private school for boys which shares some of its facilities, including the sports centre and theatre with the local community. West Kent College has campuses at Tonbridge and Royal Tunbridge Wells offering apprenticeship and degree courses. Kent University’s Tonbridge Centre has been established for over 30 years and is situated in the town centre, a few minutes' walk from the High Street and Tonbridge railway station.

There is huge mix of Victorian, Edwardian and contemporary homes and major developers have launched new developments which have proved very popular.  Surrounding villages include Shipbourne, Plaxtol and Leigh.

A monthly season ticket to London costs £392.90 from Tonbridge (£4,092 annually) with the fastest journey time between Tonbridge and Charing Cross or Cannon Street 44 minutes. Trains to (Tunbridge Wells) take 10 minutes (£69.20 monthly, £720 annually); Ashford International takes 37 minutes (£260.80 monthly, £2,716 annually); Sevenoaks takes 9 minutes (£109.90 monthly, £1.144 annually).

Tonbridge is on the A21 which connects to the M25 to the north and on to the M2 and M20 and ends with Hastings on the South Coast. London is 1 hr 30 mins drive from Tonbridge. Heathrow and London City Airports are around an hour’s drive while Gatwick is around 44mins. Dover and Folkestone are just over an hour’s drive along the M20.

Here’s a round-up of great new homes to buy in Tonbridge:

Somerhill Green (Redrow Homes) - 'The Wey' is a three-storey family home with three double bedrooms including an en suite master bedroom and a teenage hideaway in the roof. Downstairs, there’s a fully fitted kitchen plus a large lounge/dining area with French doors to the garden. Just 38 minutes from London with frequent rush hour trains. Prices from £304,995. Read more about Somerhill Green from Redrow Homes 

Somerhill Green (Redrow Homes)

Royal Wells Park (Berkeley Homes) - A prestigious, gated and secure development in the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells, one of England's most affluent and vibrant towns. The five-bedroom homes have three bathrooms and are within walking distance to the station. Prices from £1.125m. Read more about Royal Wells Park from Berkeley Homes 

Royal Wells Park (Berkeley Homes)

Dukes Grange (CALA Homes) – A prestigious new collection of semi-detached and detached homes arranged around a central green conveniently located just over a mile from Tunbridge Wells town centre. Frant Station is a short drive away with trains taking an hour to Charing Cross. Prices from £1.15m. Find out more about Dukes Grange from CALA Homes 

Dukes Grange (Cala Homes)

Harry's Wharf (Bracketts) - A new development of just five luxury two-bedroom apartments with contemporary open-plan living kitchen areas. There is also under croft parking for the residents. Set right in the heart of the town within walking distance of an excellent range of local amenities and just 33 minutes’ commute from London. Priced from £300,000. For details visit www.bracketts.co.uk ; 01732 350503

Harry's Wharf (Bracketts)

1811 (Bellway Homes) - An exclusive development of new homes in Leigh, just over two miles from Tonbridge station, is built in a variety of styles to suit a range of buyers including families, commuters and first-time buyers. The two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom houses enjoy a high specification and quality fixtures and fittings. Prices from £424,995. For more information visit www.bellway.co.uk ; 01732 667745

​​​​​​1811 (Bellway Homes)
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