Romantic days out in Kent | Alternative date ideas in Tunbridge Wells
Looking for an alternative to the traditional dinner and a movie for your next date night? Whilst Tunbridge Wells does excel in the restaurant department (that’s a whole other blog post!) it also boasts a host of other activities that are perfect for a romantic outing.
Whether you’re looking for ideas of how to impress on a first date, or something special to do with your long-term partner, here are some alternative ways to spend time together in Tunbridge Wells.
[All handy links to activities listed detailed at the bottom]
Get Locked Up Together
There’s nothing like working together to solve puzzles in an escape room to create a bond, and ClueCracker on St John’s Road in Tunbridge Wells makes for the ideal challenge. With three expertly produced immersive games to choose from, spend an hour conducting a diamond heist or escaping from an Aztec Temple together.
TimeQuest at The Hop Farm near Paddock Wood also offers an array of escape rooms full of riddles and clues to perplex and ponder over. Beat the clock to work with the Allies ahead of the D-Day landings, reset a hacked computer network or save the Knights of the Round Table.
Visit A Romantic Castle
What could be more romantic than a wander around a fairytale castle? With turrets, stone staircases, a moat and magnificent gardens, Scotney Castle in Lamberhurst provides a picture-perfect backdrop for a waterside stroll. Marvel at the reflections on the moat before visiting the local pub, The Chequers, for a candle-lit meal together.
Steeped in history and adorned by 125 acres of glorious grounds, Hever Castle is also an ideal destination for a day date. Take in the seductive scents of the English rose garden, explore the fine furnishings of the 13th century castle, or watch the sunset over the Italian Loggia for a truly romantic experience.
Sip Sparkling Wine
Make the most of being in the ‘Wine Garden of England’ by paying a visit to one of the area’s award-winning vineyards. Enjoy a tour and tasting at either Staplehurst’s Balfour Winery or Tenterden’s Chapel Down – both industry leaders in the production of English sparkling wine and nestled in the picturesque rolling hills of the Kent countryside.
Alternatively, forget having to allocate a designated driver and join one of the fabulous guided vineyard tours of Kent. Wine Tours Of Kent and Vine & Country Tours both come highly recommended and offer full-day tours including transport and lunch.
Paddle & Picnic
If the weather is on your side, pack up a picnic of some of Kent’s finest produce and set up camp in one of Tunbridge Wells’ beautiful parks. Dunorlan Park makes for a great day out, with a boating lake, historic monuments and green spaces to explore. Pedal boats, rowing boats and canoes can be hired throughout the Summer via Dunorlan Park Boats.
Other spots to enjoy a picnic include Tunbridge Wells Common or Calverley Grounds. For the picnic itself, I recommend a visit to The Cheese Shop on St John’s Road or Groombridge Farm Shop to pick up some treats.
Learn A New Skill
If your partner is a lover of the sweet stuff, try out one of Temper Temper Chocolate’s workshops for a fun daytime activity. Based in Southborough, their two-hour workshops are perfect for any budding chocolatiers, and will provide some delicious treats to enjoy together.
Alternatively, learn to cook some new dishes together at Ashdown Manna cookery school in Blackham. From Artisan Pizza evenings to a Sushi Roll class, you’ll have loads of fun making (and eating!) a delicious meal together.
Walk Around Beautiful Gardens
There’s a reason why Kent is known as the ‘Garden Of England’, so get back to nature with a romantic stroll around one of Tunbridge Wells’ beautiful formal gardens. The former home and passion project of writer and poet Vita Sackville-West and husband Harold Nicolson, Sissinghurst Castle Gardens boasts a picturesque oasis to explore, along with magnificent views across the Kent countryside. If you’re peckish after your walk, have lunch or dinner at The Milkhouse.
Similarly, Hole Park in Rolvenden and the historic Penshurst Place are gorgeous spots to explore to take in the sights and smells of the area’s flora and fauna! Visit Hole Park for their bluebell spectacular in April / May and Penshurst Place for their peonies in May / June.
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