Our house is in a perfect location to visit London, the coast as well as the numerous National Trust properties nearby. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/days-out/regionlondonsoutheast/kent
Scotney Castle is a 10 -minute drive, Hever Castle the family home of Anne Boleyn is 20 minutes away. Sissinghurst Castle Gardens is a 25- minute drive and is close to the picturesque smallest town in England called Cranbrook, the latter of which has beautiful medieval and Georgian houses, as well as quant cafes and shops.
The coastal towns of Eastbourne is where you can have afternoon tea as the Grand Hotel https://grandeastbourne.com
Hastings is a working fishing port and you can walk around the fishing boats or watch them come in if you get there very early. There are numerous amazing fish restaurants including the traditional English fish n’ chip shops where your meal is served wrapped up in paper. The old town in Hastings is stunning, it has 2 funicular lifts which take you up the side of a cliff to views that are spectacular. https://www.visit1066country.com
There is also a new art gallery on the seafront with good views from the café. https://www.hastingscontemporary.org
Brighton is a coastal town that is famous for ‘The Lanes’ a set of cobbled streets with shops selling antique jewellery. It is a buzzy city full of one off trendy shops and lots of vegan and vegetarian restaurants which serve this university population. The Royal Pavilion was built for George Prince of Wales in 1811. It is an opulent building full of gold decorations.
https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/royalpavillion.com
London is easily accessible, a 20 minute walk to the train station or 5 minutes in a taxi, will get you on a train for 50 minutes to London Bridge. Matthew and I recently went on a graffiti walking tour around Shoreditch for £10 each! He also went on a ‘Jack the Ripper’ walking tour of the East End as part of a history school trip!
There are theatres galore with loads within walking distance of Charing Cross station. (The Tunbridge Wells train stops at London bridge, Waterloo and Charing Cross.)
Buckingham Palace is now open in the summer months and you can watch parliament live from the public gallery in the Houses of Parliament. https:www.parliament.uk/visiting/
The shopping possibilities are endless from a Saturday afternoon at Portobella Market( I was born very close to here) Nearest tube Notting Hill Gate. It is full of vintage clothes, antiques and of course souveniers. Although the original fruit and vegetable stalls are still there.
Knightsbridge is the top end of shops, I would recommend a visit to Harrods, it is a shop like no other. Just to look at the pet shop, the huge dining tables and of course the food department.
There are many museums and art galleries in London. Most are now FREE!! Although each gallery will have one or two latest exhibitions such as Mary Quant at the Victoria and Albert (nearest tube South Kensington) that do charge. The Royal Academy is a beautiful building so even if you are not into art, please look at the building. The Natural History and Science Museum were very popular with my children, you can spend hours and days there!