A London to Brighton Road Trip through one of England’s loveliest regions.

Living in London or just visiting?  Here’s an easy two or three day road trip to Brighton via Royal Tunbridge Wells .

It can be done comfortably in two days with an overnight stop in Brighton but why not take the extra day and really get the most out of a region that has history, outstanding natural beauty, opulent architecture and some great shopping.

Much of the journey twixt London and Brighton is through the Kentish “Garden of England”, before crossing The Weald into East Sussex.

This is a fertile stretch of countryside with orchards, cornfields, market gardens and hops growing easily and plentifully. It’s also a well wooded region so that much of the time you will drive through leafy lanes and narrow tree-lined roads.

 

 

What’s to be seen and done along the way?

Royal Tunbridge Wells is one of the most elegant cities in Britain. Designed and built in the time of the Regency fashion extravaganza it was a popular spa that rivalled Bath, especially when frequented by dashing dandies such as Beau Nash.

The Pantiles, (pictured) an 18th century colonnaded walk of houses and shops, looks much the same as when it was built in the early 18th century. The big attraction in town was the spring, discovered in 1666. It quickly became a favourite of the A-listers of that era. You can still get a drink of the spa water.

The magnificent High Rocks, acres of breathtaking sandstone rocks interlinked with eleven bridges, provide a scenic walk in a tranquil woodland setting. Once a Stone Age camp, now a National Monument, these impressive rocks have been a popular picnic area since the 17th century. Open every day from 10.00am to dusk. Find them in High Rocks Lane.

Chartwell – the family home of Sir Winston Churchill.

Penshurst Place – described as “the grandest and most perfectly preserved example of a fortified manor house in all England”.

Hever Castle (pictured) – the family home of Anne Boleyn, the ill-starred wife of Henry VIII. Rated as one of the best small castles in the country. If you are after a luxury night’s accommodation you can even get bed and breakfast there.

They are all on much the same stretch of road so you could visit one, two or all three as you feel inclined.

Brighton

Brighton was once a small fishing village until, in 1750, the then Prince Regent heard the sea air was good for the health and chose Brighton as a place to repair the wear and tear of his libertine lifestyle. As a result it became the height of fashion to see and be seen there.

Most of the buildings along the waterfront date from the Regency period.  But the ultimate in profligacy has to be the Brighton Pavilion.  Prinny – a nickname among his friends – turned a rather ordinary farmhouse into a riot of design excess.  Indian influence on the outside, Chinese inside.  Chinese themes were all the rage in the 18th century. The result, thank you 18th century taxpayers, is a building well worth the time to linger.

The taxpayers may have bailed the prince out financially – he was technically bankrupt and we can’t have that, can we – but they demanded that he stop seeing his mistress, Lady Hamilton, in return.

One of the people who help visitors in the Pavillion told me that in fact Georgie boy had a tunnel dug from the Pavilion to the “Lady’s” house on the other side of the square.

These days in a lot of ways nothing has changed.  The city is still a hotbed of bohemian/hedonistic/alt lifestyles.  The clubs, pubs, theatres and galleries give it a decidedly off-beat vibe. Like, man, it moves in seven-three time. Yeah?

So, what to do? Some of the more “traditional” things-to-do would include . . .

Take a stroll along Brighton Pier (pictured)– a Victorian pier with various food and drink outlets, fairground attractions and Palace of Fun arcade. There’s a choice of bars and restaurants and a famous fish and chip restaurant.

Do what I did one evening – bottle of wine, glass, packet of fish and chips  . . . then sit on the sea shore and enjoy the music of the night.

Brighton Sealife on the sea front is the world’s oldest aquarium. Home to over 1,500 creatures and 50 marine displays, including the underwater tunnel where you can watch giant turtles and sharks glide gracefully above you.

The British Airways i360. From below sea level to 138 metres above it. Take to the skies to see Brighton and the beautiful South Coast as you have never seen them before. Glide up gently on the world’s tallest moving observation tower, conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, creators of the London Eye. Admire 360^o views across Brighton, the South Downs and, on the clearest days, all the way to Beachy Head and the Isle of Wight.

Take a wander through The Lanes, once a collection of fishermen’s’ cottages, now a maze of twisting alleyways, twittens and catcreeps (look them up in a dictionary) filled with antique shops, boutiques, cafes and pubs.

Preston Manor, a manor house which belonged to the Stanford family for over 200 years and which still has the atmosphere of an Edwardian country house. Collections of their furniture are on show including ceramics, glass, silver and clocks and also the Macquoid Bequest of fine English and continental furniture and decorative art. The servants’ quarters and hall, butlers’ pantry, boot hall, kitchen, head housemaids’ and personal maids’ rooms can all be seen. You can explore Preston Manor before you visit! Murder in the Manor, is an online virtual recreation of the house, based on a murder mystery written by eleven young writers. Whether you tour the house or play detective, it’s a whole new way to see the place.

Brighton Museum and Art Gallery  In the Royal Pavilion Gardens, at the heart of the city’s cultural quarter. Its diverse collections bring together the arts and history to tell stories about the city and the world we live in.

Hove Museum. Hove claims, with some credibility, to being the birthplace of British film-making.  In 1896 the first known British film was shot here. Discover the journey from early moving images to pioneering film-making in two interactive galleries. Catch a Shadow tells the story of how film evolved from early photography and optical toys. It shows how the projection and performance of moving images through the magic lantern led to the invention of film.

Entertainment

Komedia Theatre.  44 Gardner St.  Regarded by many as the country’s best stand-up comedy venue with one of the largest, most diverse arts and entertainment programmes in the UK.

Comedy, music, cabaret and children’s theatre, the programme features the very best of international and national performers and includes Komedia’s resident comedy shows: Krater Comedy Club, Comic Boom and Bent Double.

The Old Market was opened in 2011 by creators of the global percussive group STOMP to create an independent hub for the arts in their home city and channel some of their success back in to the local arts eco system. They host over 200 different events every year from multi-format (300 seat, 500 standing capacity) space presenting live music, film, theatre, dance, cabaret, comedy, literature, workshops and performances using new technologies.

Brighton Dome  It was once “Prinny’s” stables and riding house, now houses three theatres within the Royal Pavilion complex. Each year, they present and produce over 600 events spanning music, theatre, dance, comedy, literature, spoken word, visual arts, film, digital and more. In addition to the year-round programme, each May they stage a mixed-arts celebration, the internationally-acclaimed Brighton Festival.

London to Royal Tunbridge Wells

Take the long way and visit one or more of the big attractions. The drive itself is a bit under an hour from where you leave the M25. Allow an hour to an hour and a half at each attraction. Thus if you do all three, after starting around 9am, it would be a six hour trip to Royal Tunbridge Wells, just in time for afternoon tea at one of the cafes in the Pantiles.

From Tunbridge Wells to Brighton is an easy hour’s run of 34 miles.

Navigation Notes

Take your choice of two tracks to get there:

1: Direct on the A21 and A26.  Boring!

2:  Wandering the leafy lanes off the main roads to visit Churchill’s home at Chartwell, Anne Boleyn’s home at Hever, and / or Viscount de L’Isle’s family home, the 650+ year-old Penshurst Place. Even if you elect not to visit any of these places it’s a much more interesting trip through the rural roads of “The Garden of England”.

Leaving London

There’s no easy way to escape the great urban sprawl that is London. One option is to simply make your way to the London Orbital, the M25, the great ring road that encircles the city, and head south to Interchange 5, the intersection with the A21.

GPS 51.2914,0.1426 at the A21/M25 interchange.

If you are approaching Interchange 5 from the east watch for a blue and white sign on an overbridge above the road that says “Sevenoaks / Hastings A21”.  Get into the right hand lane as indicated by on-road signs because the lanes divide just up ahead. Follow similar signs to merge on to the A21.

If you are coming from the western side of London on the M25 look for a sign that says “Maidstone / Channel Tnl / Dover / Seven Oaks / Hastings A21”.  Get into the right hand lane because the lanes divide just up ahead. Then follow the next blue and white sign that says “S’Oaks / Hastings A21”.

Next sign to watch for on the overbridge above the road is a blue and white that indicates a bear left to “S’Oaks / Hastings A21”. There is also a brown sign on the left that says “Chartwell / Hever Castle”.  That will take you on to the A21.

Now that you are on the A21 select from either of these two options . . .

1: To  Royal Tunbridge Wells Direct

Continue to follow the A21 along the Sevenoaks By-pass and the Tonbridge by-pass.

9.6 mi 51.1834, 0.2552 Look for a green and white sign that indicates “Southborough / Tun Wells” on a left lane exit.  Taking that left exit lane will merge you on to Quarry Rd, the A26.

13.2 mi 51.1255, 0.2565 Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Expert navigator tip:  You’ll come through Southborougth then as you drive through the town you will have a carpark on the left.  At a small r/bout look for MW Solicitors in a white building on the right, standing quite alone on a corner of the park. There is carpark to the r. at that point, but if you go a little further along turn l. on to Linden Park Rd for the Pantiles Carpark on the left..

Expert Navigator Checkpoint:  Look for The Grey Lady restaurant, the black and white building on your left as you make that turn.

If the first carpark is full there’s another carpark about 200 yds further on.

The Pantiles are over to your left after turning on the Linden Park Rd.

See below for driving instruction from Royal Tunbridge Wells to Brighton.

Or

2:  To  Royal Tunbridge Wells via Chartwell, Hever, and Penshurst Place

0.8 mi 51.2804, 0.1497 Look for a blue and white sign that indicates an exit to “Westerham A25”. Take that exit on to Westerham Rd, the A25 s/p “Westerham A25”. There’s also a brown and white sign that says “Chartwell”.

Follow the line of least resistance along Westerham Rd on to Brasted Rd. You’ll pass through Brasted.

As you approach Westerham look for a brown sign on the l. to “Chartwell / Hever Castle / High Weald Country Tour”.

3.7 mi 51.2670, 0.0760 Turn l. on to Hosey Hill the B2026 s/p “Edenbridge B2026”.

1.3 mi 51.2502, 0.0783 Make a slight left on to Mapleton Rd s/posted “Chartell / Four Elms”.

0.4 mi 51.2446, 0.0828 At the entrance to Chartwell

From Chartwell To Hever Castle

Leave the Chartwell carpark and turn left back onto Mapleton Rd s/posted “Edenbridge”.

1.4 mi 51.2203, 0.0925 Turn l. on to Pootings Rd, the B269, s/p “Tonbridge / Edenbridge / (B2027)” and “Four Elms / Chiddingstone / Penshurst”.

0.4mi 51.2158, 0.0990 At the crossroads in Four Elms continue str. ahd on to the B2027.

Expert navigation checkpoint: Shortly after the crossroad you’ll come to The Four Elms Inn on the l.

0.8 mi Go str. ahead to leave the B2027 and remain on How Green Lane, s/posted “Country Tour”. The B2027 bears l. at that point.

Expert navigation checkpoint: There’s a small grass triangle traffic island at that point. You should shortly cross the railway lines on a narrow brick bridge.

1.1 mi 51.1960, 0.1110 At the T i/s turn r. on to Hever Rd., s/p “Hever 1m”.

Just after you make that turn, look to the l. for the conical-topped structure.  It’s an oast house, the buildings in which hops are dried in preparation for brewing beer. More on oast houses . . .

0.9 mi 51.1864, 0.1107 Hever Castle.

From Hever to Penshurst Place

Return along Hever Rd towards How Green Lane.

1.9 mi 51.2013, 0.1293  Follow Hever Rd to the village of Bough Beech. Just before you get to the village, look to the r. for the conical-topped structure.  It’s an oast house, the buildings in which hops are dried in preparation for brewing beer. Many of them have been converted into homes.  You’ll see quite a few in this area. More on oast houses . . .

At the Give Way go str. ahd.on to the B2027 s/p “Penshurst Place”.  The Wheatsheaf Inn is on the r. at that i/s.

2.2 mi 51.1978, 0.1766 Turn  r. on to Morden Lane, the B2176, s/p “Penshurst / Tun Wells”  and “Penshurst Place”.

0.9 mi You’ll come to a T i/section.  It’s not very clear which way to go.  Turn right. There is a s/post but it’s conveniently tucked away out of sight on your left.

1.0 mi 51.1727, 0.1824   Turn l. at the Give Way. The entry to Penshurst Place is a short distance along on the l.

If you elect not to go to Penshurst Place remain on the B2176 for Royal Tunbridge Wells.

3.5 mi 51.1712, 0.2535 Turn r. at the Compulsory Stop on to London Rd, the A26.

3.5 mi 51.1255, 0.2565 Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Expert navigator tip:  You’ll come through Southborougth then as you drive through the town you will have a carpark on the left.  At a small r/bout look for MW Solicitors in a white building on the right, standing quite alone on a corner of the park. There is carpark to the r. at that point, but if you go a little further along turn l. on to Linden Park Rd for the Pantiles Carpark on the left..

Expert Navigator Checkpoint:  Look for The Grey Lady restaurant, the black and white building on your left as you make that turn.

If the first carpark is full there’s another carpark about 200 yds further on.

The Pantiles are over to your left after turning on the Linden Park Rd.

See below for driving instruction from Royal Tunbridge Wells to Brighton.

Royal Tunbridge Wells To Brighton

Navigation Notes

Assuming a start point in Royal Tunbridge Wells at the i/s of Nevill St and London Rd, the A26.  Take London Rd south.

12.9 mi 50.9878, 0.0907 You go around Bludgett’s Roundabout and 200yds later at Black Down Roundabout, take the 1st exit on to the A22.  There’s no signage at the exit but a few yards after the turn you will see a s/p “Uckfield / Eastbourne / A22 / Lewes (A26) “.

One of the inexplicable curiosities of the English roading system.  This road is the A26 for a while, then it’s the A22, then it’s the A26 again . . . without any apparent reason for the changes.

3.0 mi  50.9517, 0.0953 At Little Horsted Roundabout, at the i/s with the A26, take the 3rd exit back on to the A26 s/p “Lewes / Brighton / Newhaven / A26”

6.6 mi At the r/bout take the 1st exit and enter the Cuilfail Tunnel s/posted (not very clearly) “All Through Routes”.

If you go str. ahd at that point it will take you through Lewes. If you are of a historic inclination, and you can be bothered picking your way through the town, you’ll pass the home of Anne of Cleves, another of the luckless ladies that loved and lost Henry VIII.  She was the fourth of his wives, but kept her head . . . the marriage was annulled after a few months on the grounds of non-consummation.  She went on to live a long life here in Lewes. Just follow the “All Routes” signs through the town.

Otherwise . . . 

1.5 mi 50.8645, 0.0240 At the r/bout take the 2nd exit on to the A27 s/p “Brighton / London / A27”.

5.2 mi 50.8613, -0.0929 Continue on the A27 until the outskirts of Brighton. Follow signs to “Brighton A270”.

3.0 mi Look for road surface signs that say “Town Centre” and follow them to the waterfront.

0.9 mi GPS 50.1529 / -0.1366 BRIGHTON.

 Brighton to London Direct

Navigation Instructions

0.0 50.8195, -0.1366  At the roundabout on the waterfront near Brighton Pier,

Take Old Steine, the A23.

Expert Navigator Checkpoint:  The Royal Albion Hotel will be on your left as you exit from the r/bout. Look for the A23 signs on the road surface.

Follow the A23 keeping the park, Steine Gardens, on your right hand side and Brighton Pavilion on your left.

As Brighton Pier falls behind you you’ll pass through a set of traffic lights and Victoria Park will now be on your right. Keep the gardens on your right.  Follow the A23 signs on the road surface.

0.6 50.8265 -0.1355 Take the left hand fork in the road s/posted “St Peters Church / London / Crawley / A23” on to St Georges St.

Expert Navigator Checkpoint:  St Peters Church will be prominent on your right just after that turn.

Now follow the A23 through various street names: London Rd, Preston Rd, London Rd again

3.2 mi 50.8679, -0.1563  Take the 2nd exit from the r/bout s/posted “London / Crawley / Gatwick / A23”

15.9 mi 51.0838, -0.2009  Continue straight ahead on to the M23.

6.6 mi 51.1542, -0.1360 At Junction 9, exit to Gatwick Airport if that’s your destination.

15.8 mi 51.2578, -0.1255 This is the intersection with the M25, the London Orbital road that encircles London. If your destination is east, west or north you are probably best to leave the M23 here and take the M25 to you final stop. Otherwise to continue towards central London remain on the M23.

If you are taking the M25 west be in the left lane s/p “Heathrow / The West”.  If you are travelling north or east get into the centre lane s/p “Dartford”.  The two exits are very close together.

If you mistakenly take the east road you can recover quite quickly by doing a U turn in from of the Starbucks a short distance along the road.

Continuing to Central London . . .

Otherwise, continuing towards London on the A23:

2.2 mi 51.2802 -0.1565 Continue str. ahd on to London Rd, the A23.

Follow the A23 to central London.

Or for Heathrow Terminals 4 and 5 . . .

28.3 mi 51.4624, -0.5153  At Junction 14 take the left hand lane and follow signs to “A3113 / Heathrow Terminals 4, 5 & Cargo”

This is also the best exit for hotels along Bath Rd (take Stanwell Moor Rd northwards from the r/bout on the A3113), and the major rental car offices on the Northern Perimeter Road (from the next r/bout turn l. on to the Western Perimeter Rd and follow it to the Northern Perimeter Rd).

Or for Heathrow Terminals  1, 2 and 3 . . .

32.4 mi 51.4960, -0.4592  At Junction 4 take the two left hand lanes and follow signs to “A408 / Uxbridge / Heathrow”

At the r/bout take the 2nd exit following signs to Heathrow.  From there just follow the Heathrow signs.