This village might surprise you, it’s two places in one.
One’s calm and still. The other, busy and full of life. But together, they show you exactly what makes Hawkhurst work.
Let’s look at where this Kentish village came from, what it offers today, and why it still matters for families, especially when they need reliable support the most.
Hawkhurst isn’t one village. It’s two, joined by time and road, each with its own rhythm.
Head south and you’ll reach The Moor. It’s the quieter side. A wide green sits in the middle, framed by old cottages and one very old church, St Laurence, 13th century, still standing. You don’t rush here. People walk their dogs. Others just sit and think. This is where Hawkhurst started, built around farming, fields, and slow days.
Go north and you’ll find Highgate. It’s louder, livelier, and where most things get done. You’ll spot the colonnaded shops first, a quirky New Orleans-style row, all under shelter. Cafés. A post office. Pubs. Supermarkets. There’s even a cinema, Kino, inside a former lecture hall. It’s not your usual setup, and that’s the point. Highgate blends utility with charm.
The two areas are different. And that’s what makes Hawkhurst interesting. One handles your daily life. The other helps you breathe.
Learn more about Hawkhurst’s layout and history at [1].
Hawkhurst isn’t new. People have lived here for over a thousand years. And not quietly.
The first known settlement was called Congehurst. That was around 893 AD, until it got burned down by Danish raiders. You can still find Congehurst Lane east of the village. The name “Hawkhurst” itself? It means “Hawk Wood” in Old English. Makes sense if you’ve seen the woodland here.
Fast forward to the Wealden iron industry. For centuries, this area powered the country’s ironworks, long before factories and coal. Local ironstone came out of the clay. Charcoal from nearby forests kept the fires hot. Even William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, owned ironworks in Hawkhurst in the 1600s. When coal took over, the forges cooled. But the land still bears the marks.
Then came the smugglers.
Between 1735 and 1749, the Hawkhurst Gang ran this place, and most of Kent and Sussex. They weren’t quiet about it. Tea, silk, brandy, smuggled in and hidden in local inns like the Oak and Ivy. Stories say they could pull together 500 armed men in an hour if needed. Violent, organised, and feared.
Their end came with a fight. The Goudhurst militia stood up to them. That clash changed everything. It’s still talked about today [2].
For all its deep history, Hawkhurst isn’t stuck in the past. It’s a working village with a modern pace, and a strong community running through it.
You’ll notice it in the small things. Regular events. Volunteer-run projects. Local businesses that actually feel local.
The group Friends of Hawkhurst is behind much of this. They organise events that get people together, like the annual 5 & 10k run, the Makers at the Moor craft fair, and even a Play Day for kids. They also run a Community Fridge, which cuts down food waste while helping families who need a bit of extra support [3].
Community and creativity meet at Kino Hawkhurst, a small cinema in a converted lecture hall. You can watch a film, grab a coffee, and sit in the garden. It’s not flashy. It’s just good, and it works because it fits.
And then there’s the practical side. Hawkhurst Community Hospital (High St, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 4PU) [6] [7] provides local healthcare, and Hawkhurst House (Cranbrook Rd, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 5EF) [4] [5] offers specialist nursing and dementia care. That building has seen a lot, it used to be Barnardo’s Babies’ Castle, the UK’s largest orphanage for under-sixes back in 1886.
So you’ve got history, yes, but also care that continues. From childhood to old age, the village looks after its own.
Some moments call for stillness. Others for company. Hawkhurst offers both.
You don’t need to go far to find somewhere peaceful. The local landscape, gardens, and cafés give space for quiet thought or time with friends. Nothing loud. Nothing forced. Just simple places that feel right.
A few stand out:
Sometimes you just want to eat. Other times, it’s about being together. Here are a few good places:
If you’re raising a family in Hawkhurst, education is covered. There’s a good mix of options, from trusted local schools to well-established independents nearby.
Let’s break it down.
Right in the centre of the village. It’s a voluntary controlled school built on strong values, compassion, hope, and community.
Ofsted rated it ‘Good’ overall, but called out its ‘Outstanding’ support for behaviour, attitudes, and personal development. Children here aren’t just taught subjects, they’re encouraged to grow as people.
It’s close to St Laurence Church (Fowlers Park, Rye Rd, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 4JJ [20])and keeps that link alive, with assemblies, services, and shared events.
Two popular options, both close by, if you’re looking for independent education:
When someone dies, what you need most is someone nearby who understands. Not just the paperwork. The people. The place. The pace of village life.
Welham Jones isn’t a corporate chain. It’s a family-run funeral director with deep roots in West Kent and the Weald. We’ve supported local families for over 25 years, including those in and around Hawkhurst. We know the roads, the churches, the customs, and we’re nearby when it matters.
Our closest branch is in Royal Tunbridge Wells, about a 25-minute drive from Hawkhurst. That connection isn’t just geography. Both towns have long histories, both part of the same landscape. That matters when you’re arranging something as personal as a funeral.
When people in Hawkhurst call us, they’re not speaking to a distant office. They’re speaking to a team that knows the area and respects what it stands for.
👉 Learn more about us here: Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials
Trust doesn’t come from logos or taglines. It comes from being there, again and again, when people need you most.
Our funeral home in Tunbridge Wells has supported families across the Weald for decades. And that includes Hawkhurst.
We understand this area because we’re part of it. The old roads, the village churches, the traditions, we’ve worked with them all. That local knowledge makes things easier when everything else feels hard.
We’re now in our third generation as a family-run business. We don’t answer to shareholders. We answer to the families who walk through our doors, and that’s how it should be.
We offer clear advice, personal support, and time to decide. No pressure. No upselling. Just steady help from people who’ve done this many times before, and still treat each funeral like it’s the only one that matters.
If you’re coming from Hawkhurst, getting to our Tunbridge Wells branch is easy, by car or by public transport.
Total distance: about 14 miles Journey time: roughly 25 minutes
Address: Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials 39 Crescent Road Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 2LZ Google Maps Directions
Need help getting here? Call us on 01892 300330 and we’ll guide you.
Families in West Kingsdown don’t always want to stay local. Sometimes they want a bit of distance, a quieter space, or simply a setting that feels more private. That’s where our Tunbridge Wells funeral home can help.
While our Borough Green branch is closer, some families choose Tunbridge Wells because of the surroundings and atmosphere. It’s peaceful. Central. And away from the familiarity of daily routines, which, for some, makes it easier to focus.
The drive is simple:
It’s not far. But far enough to give you some space if that’s what you need.
Whether you choose Tunbridge Wells or one of our other branches, the level of care stays the same, steady, personal, and guided by what feels right for you.
Planning a funeral is not something most people are prepared for. It can feel overwhelming. Our job is to help make it less so, one step at a time.
We’re available 24/7, every day of the year. That includes evenings, weekends, and bank holidays. If someone dies, you can call us straight away. We’ll explain what to do and how we can help.
We also stay in touch long after the service. Some families need follow-up support. Others just want to know who to call for things like memorials or paperwork. Either way, we’re still here.
We offer a full range of funeral services, everything from direct cremation to traditional burials and personalised tributes. Here’s what that includes:
If you’re based in Hawkhurst or nearby and need funeral support, whether urgently or just to ask a question, we’re here.
We don’t rush people. You can talk to us, meet us, or simply call and ask what happens next. No pressure. Just calm, steady advice from people who’ve done this before.
Here’s how to reach us:
Address: 39 Crescent Road Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 2LZ
Phone: 01892 300330
Email: tunbridgewells@welhamjones.co.uk
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 9am – 5pm Saturday & Sunday: By appointment For emergencies: We’re available 24/7, every single day of the year.
To start your journey from Hawkhurst, head north on Highgate Hill (A229) towards the junction with the High Street (A268), it’s just a short 30-second drive.
At the junction, turn left onto the High Street (A268) and continue to follow this road for approximately 3 miles. You’ll pass through Flimwell and eventually reach a junction with the A21.
From there, join the A21 northbound, signposted for Tunbridge Wells and London. Stay on the A21 for roughly 10 miles, which should take around 15 minutes depending on traffic.
As you approach Tunbridge Wells, take the exit onto Pembury Road (A264). Follow Pembury Road for about 2 miles, continuing straight into the town centre.
Once in Tunbridge Wells, turn onto Crescent Road, where you’ll find Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials located at No. 39 Crescent Road, TN1 2LZ, just a short walk from the Assembly Hall Theatre and Tunbridge Wells Town Hall.
Total journey time is typically around 25 minutes, depending on conditions.
[1] “Hawkhurst,” https://visittunbridgewells.com/plan-your-trip/towns-villages/hawkhurst/
[2] “Hawkhurst Gang,” via Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawkhurst_Gang
[3] Friends of Hawkhurst website, https://friendsofhawkhurst.org.uk/
[4] Hawkhurst House website https://ltc.hawkhurst.house/
[5] Hawkhurst House (Cranbrook Rd, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 5EF), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/LPv4fyNKyXzkrQM79
[6] Hawkhurst Community Hospital website https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/service/hawkhurst-community-hospital/
[7] Hawkhurst Community Hospital (High St, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 4PU), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/PuRmzsZh6j7qJwQy9
[8] The Eight Bells (The Moor, Hawkhurst TN18 4NX), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/SeChK3aievbeJXgJ7
[9] The Eight Bells Hawkhurst website https://theeight-bells.co.uk/
[10] The Royal Oak (Rye Rd, High Street, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 4EP), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/zuWVmy9kNQMc4TCg8
[11] The Royal Oak website https://www.royaloakhawkhurst.com/
[12] The Queen’s Inn (The Queen’s Inn, Rye Rd, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 4EY), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/5aqi9pF8CRjWCcuE7
[13] The Queen’s Inn website https://www.thequeensinnhawkhurst.co.uk/
[14] The Great House (Gill’s Green, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 5EJ), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/93R7h9Lm9Tp2xBWD6
[15] The Great House website https://elitepubs.com/venue/the-great-house/
[16] Waterside Café at Hawkhurst Fish Farm (Hawkhurst Fish Farm, Hastings Rd, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 4RT), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/43AEThd9xR3Rgto66
[17] Waterside Café at Hawkhurst Fish Farm website https://hawkhurstfishfarm.co.uk/waterside-cafe
[18] Hawkhurst Café Restaurant (Unit 4-5, Deanborough House, Highgate Hill, High Street, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 4JU), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/zuN1wYZYzrUxtv3HA
[19] Hawkhurst Café Restaurant website https://www.hawkhurstcaferestaurant.co.uk/
[20] Hawkhurst Church of England Primary School (Fowlers Park, Rye Rd, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 4JJ), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/jcH22LLUTa41W2t19
[21] Hawkhurst Church of England Primary School website https://www.hawkhurst.kent.sch.uk/
[22] Hawkhurst Church of England Primary School profile via the Good Schools Guide website, https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/uk-schools/profile/hawkhurst-church-of-england-primary-school
[23] Marlborough House School (High Street, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 4PY), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/sB9QAd88QymNCuMd9
[24] Marlborough House School website https://www.marlboroughhouseschool.co.uk/
[25] St Ronan’s School (Water Ln, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook TN18 5DJ), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/49SKhWZ7Movf2xG16
[26] St Ronan’s School website https://www.st-rons.co.uk/
[27] 1066 – Hastings – Hawkhurst via Kent Bus Info website, https://www.kentbusinfo.co.uk/about-bus-services/explore-bus-options/route/60
