Hello! I am visiting family in Robertsbridge, East Sussex from Aug. 1-5 and my flight leaves LHR on the 7th mid-day. Any thoughts on what would be the most interesting way to spend that time between the 5th and 7th? I need to be with a couple of hours train ride of LHR the morning of the 7th (I won't have a car.) I was thinking Canterbury or Tunbridge Wells or maybe Bath. I also have the offer of a friend's flat in London so I could just go back there but I have been to most of the big London sites already. I love history, walking/hiking/biking in nature, and looking at beautiful old buildings and gardens.
Posted by
Lake District, England
10154 posts
The immediate thought is that there are trains twice an hour and hourly buses to Tunbridge Wells.
In the other direction ditto to Battle Abbey and Battlefield (1066, Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror). Not far away by taxi (or bus from Hastings Station) is Bodiam Castle- a classic English moated castle.
Then the Kent and East Sussex steam railway to Tenterden- a very nice small town.
But maybe you are doing all of that during your family visit.
Posted by
UK (London - Chelsea Harbour)
360 posts
Oooh! Battle! You want history? Try 1066!
https://battleeastsussex.co.uk/
Great little village, heaps of history. Old buildings, atmosphere galore, and also a bunch of lovely walks to take from the town.
Full disclosure; I haven’t visited in over a decade. But it leapt instantly to mind when I looked up Robertsbridge. I think it might tick all your boxes!
If anyone here has visited more recently, I hope they will weigh in. I loved it.
Posted by
Buckinghamshire
358 posts
I would choose Canterbury over Tunbridge Wells. Getting to Bath from Robersbridge will take over half a day, I’d guess.
Posted by
OP
Vermont, USA
3 posts
Thanks for the suggestions! I think Canterbury does appeal to me more than Tunbridge Wells. The suggestions to visit Battle and Tenterden sound interesting. I actually have a room booked in Hastings for those two nights but I can cancel it if it seems like we'll have already "done" Hastings with the family (they have some stuff going on so I'm not sure how much sightseeing we'll be doing together.) It seemed like there could be some nice walks there and being by the sea is appealing. Any input on Hastings?
Posted by
UK (London - Chelsea Harbour)
360 posts
BillS719 - I would also choose Canterbury over Tunbridge Wells, hands down.
Posted by
London
580 posts
Good suggestions above- we were in Battle a few years ago and enjoyed visiting the Abbey tho the weather wasn't very nice the day we went (it was in December). I also really endorse the suggestion for Bodiam Castle and the Kent and East Sussex Railway from Tenterden- a really fun day out and very close to Robertsbridge. A few other sites in the area I like:
-Rye (and nearby Camber Sands)- quaint seaside town, and Camber Sands is a beautiful long sandy beach
-taking the narrow gauge railway out to Dungeness
-Sissinghurst Castle Garden- wonderful gardens designed by Vita Sackville-West
-Leeds Castle
-Beachy Head/Eastbourne
Hastings is a very cute seaside town and I think would be a nice place to stay. It's been a few years since I was down there so unfortunately can't recommend anything specific.
A few other sites in the area I haven't gotten to yet, but hope to one day:
-Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest- scenic forest area
-Tudeley- outside Tunbridge Wells, they have a church with stained glass windows by Marc Chagall
-Hartfield/Ashdown Forest area- another scenic forest area, and the setting for Winnie the Pooh
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
35507 posts
I'm late to the party but I would have suggested some of the above, especially Bodiam Castle and its adjacent choo choos. My wife and I were just chatting about returning there again soon.
These are all good suggestions
Posted by
Lake District, England
10154 posts
In Hastings the big drawer is the Old Town- the fishing village. There are two cliff railways to get you down (and back up)- the East and West Railways.
Also the old smugglers tunnels/caves and the ruins of Hastings Castle- the first one built by William the Conqueror.
Posted by
OP
Vermont, USA
3 posts
Thank you all for the helpful feedback! I'm now wavering even more because it sounds like we'll get to Hastings with the family, so I might not want to have additional time there. BUT I could do things like renting a bike, etc. Canterbury seems like it will be more crowded/touristy, which I don't love but it sounds like an interesting place
The other thing I'm not sure about is whether it's safe to wake up in either Hastings or Canterbury and expect to get to LHR in time for a 12:45 pm flight. I don't mind getting up early, but I don't like being stressed out about time. It looks like if I get a train between 6 and 7 am, I should be ok, or should I just go back to London for the evening before?
Anyway, to be safe I currently have lodgings reserved in both Hastings and Canterbury, refundable for a couple more weeks.
Posted by
Lake District, England
10154 posts
For a 1245 flight you need to be at Heathrow by 9.45.
From Hastings you would really be reliant on one railway line working as it should. Yes there is the long way round to Victoria via Gatwick, but not if you are time sensitive.
If there is a problem on the line you are pickled.
At least from Canterbury there are two good rail routes and National Express (at a pinch).
But you will be paying peak fares on crowded trains.
To me the last night at Heathrow is the prudent approach even if you transfer up there late evening.