If you’re looking for a reason to visit Edenbridge as a day trip from London – one of its pubs was recently crowned one of the best in England.
Just 25 miles from London, Edenbridge, located in the Eden Valley, is a relaxed market town known for its history, countryside walks and medieval architecture.
Edenbridge is a relaxed market town known for its history, countryside walks and medieval architecture. (Image: Edenbridge Town Council)
Edenbridge was originally built close to the River Eden, earning it the name Eden Bridge after its first bridge that was built during the reign of Henry VI in the 15th century, although the current one you’ll see was built in 1836.
The village has also had a history with smugglers, with the village being on route from London to the coast, with a coaching inn on the High Street – like that of the Ye Olde Crown Inn, which had links to smuggling.
Ye Olde Crown Inn had links to smuggling. (Image: Edenbridge Town Council)
The village is just a train ride from London Bridge Station, making it a convenient day trip from the city, with plenty of nearby attractions if you’re going by car, like Hever Castle and Penshurst Place.
Here you can learn about the history of the area of Eden Valley and the industries that once played a big role in this part of Kent.
There are plenty of nearby attractions if you’re going by car, like Hever Castle. (Image: Hever Castle)
One of its local watering holes – The Queens Arms – was recently named by The Telegraph as one of England’s best 500 pubs to visit.
Described by one reviewer as a “really old-fashioned pub,” this characterful country pub with its low-beamed ceilings and wood-panelled walls is a classic example of a traditional country village pub.
The Queens Arms was recently named by The Telegraph as one of England’s best 500 pubs to visit. (Image: Google)
But aside from The Queens Arms, the village is also home to a number of other pubs like Ye Olde Crown Inn and The Old Eden, both dating back to the 16th century.
Ye Olde Crown Inn dates back to the 16th century. (Image: Ye Olde Crown)
For walkers, Edenbridge offers a variety of walks across the Kent countryside, including the North Downs and Eden Valley, ranging from three to six miles in length.
For a shorter option, the Edenbridge Parish Church Walk offers a relaxed 3-mile route through the historic heart of the town, while the Marsh Green and Mowshurst walks provide similar-length countryside escapes with varied scenery.
The Edenbridge Parish Church Walk offers a relaxed 3-mile route through the historic heart of the town. (Image: Edenbridge Town Council)
More adventurous walkers might enjoy the Boundary Walks (North and South), each around six miles, or the picturesque Hever & Chiddingstone Walk, which weaves between two of Kent’s most charming villages, offering views of the Kent countryside.
One of the town’s key attractions is the Eden Valley Museum. (Image: Edenbridge Town Council)
For weekend getaways, or if you’re visiting by car, Edenbridge is well placed within a short drive of some of Kent’s most prestigious castles and historical properties.
These include Hever Castle – home of Anne Boleyn – and Chiddingstone Castle, as well as National Trust-owned Emmetts Garden and Chartwell House.
One of the town’s key attractions is the Eden Valley Museum, located within a 14th-century Doggetts Farm House on the High Street, recognisable by its timber-framed medieval structure.