Groombridge Place Tunbridge Wells

Discover the beautiful award-winning gardens and the forest with its giant swings, zip wires and Crusoe’s World. Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’ was filmed at Groombridge Place, find out more about this and our other literary connections.

The Forest, which encapsulates the magical spirit conjured up by the books of JK Rowling and JRR Tolkien was designed in the most part by TV gardener and land artist Ivan Hicks. The Forest can be reached by either canal boat or on foot.

Crusoe’s World was inspired by TV series Crusoe. Original props from this TV series were reconstructed at Groombridge Place. Two treehouses are linked together with rope bridges and a central viewing tower. They are on several levels with decking and platforms, sheltered under sail roofs. There is a lookout post high above one of the treehouses, providing fabulous views over the canal, open countryside and the steam trains of the Spa Valley Railway.

Outdoor adventures: Take a walk along the forest pathways with its lakes and hidden surprises along the way. Look out for the Fallow deer, squirrels and other wildlife. Discover the tepees and the fort before taking the ‘Boardwalk Challenge’ with its aerial walkways, tunnels, rope swings and child’s zip wire. Children and adults alike will enjoy the giant tree swings which are suspended from the tallest trees in the forest.