Groombridge: Gardens, Moat and Forest Way

Groombridge combines impressive gardens and parkland with special discoveries around Groombridge Place. A fully preserved moat, extensive parkland, historic gardens and the Forest Way give the area different faces. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth first considering whether you would prefer to combine culture, activity, nature experiences or varied days with children.

Groombridge Place: History and special experiences

Groombridge Place is listed by Historic England on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens because of its special historic interest. The medieval fortified site includes a stone-lined moat that defines an island measuring 40 × 50 metres. The moat is fully preserved and remains filled with water all year round. This combination of fortification, water and garden makes Groombridge Place a destination where historic structures and designed landscape are directly connected.

The formal walled gardens also deserve consideration in their own right. They lie north of the house and are arranged on three ascending terraces. Sandstone steps connect the individual levels. Those interested in garden architecture and historic sites can focus here on the design of the terraces, the walls and the different elevations.

For shared discoveries, Crusoe’s World at Groombridge Place offers a large wooden ship, two treehouses and a central observation tower. The UK Owl and Raptor Centre is located at Groombridge Place Gardens and Enchanted Forest and offers visitors two interactive demonstrations every day. A canal boat takes visitors from the gardens to Crusoe’s World. In the Deer Park between the gardens and the Enchanted Forest, visitors can observe deer. This makes it possible to combine quieter garden moments and action-packed stops in the same travel plans, without everyone having to spend the day in the same way.

Woodland, parkland and the Forest Way

Groombridge Place covers 39.5 hectares of parkland with woodland and a lake. This landscape complements the historic elements with a green, open side. The Forest Way is approximately 10 miles long and runs from East Grinstead to Groombridge. It is used for walking, cycling and horse riding. Along the entire length of the park, the Forest Way has a flat, paved path.

This allows you to set different priorities when planning your day: the Forest Way appeals to visitors who want to include a longer route in their trip, while the parkland, gardens and moat are more focused on discovery and observation. You should take the approximate length of about 10 miles into account when planning. Those travelling with children can also choose between nature observation in the Deer Park, the attractions at Crusoe’s World and the demonstrations at the UK Owl and Raptor Centre.

Guidance for your accommodation search

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Groombridge, the desired mix of your excursions is a useful first point of orientation. If Groombridge Place with its gardens, moat and activity areas is the focus, you should compare the location of available accommodation based on your personal daily plans. If you want to use the Forest Way, the planned combination of walking, cycling or horse riding plays a greater role. It is best to check the specific features and availability of individual properties directly in the relevant listing.

The journey can also be included in your considerations: the Spa Valley Railway platform in Groombridge is step-free. St Thomas’s Church is accessible from Corseley Road. Its main areas are fully accessible, while the church as a whole is not completely accessible. This information will help you incorporate individual visits into your plans realistically.

Discover more destinations

If you would like to extend your travel plans beyond Groombridge, you can also explore Eastbourne, Herstmonceux, Battle, Winchelsea, Crowborough, Bexhill-On-Sea, Hastings and Ringmer. This allows you to compare different travel ideas and then decide which accommodation and daily rhythm best suit your stay.

To the main travel overview: East Sussex.