You’ll find everything practical about Groombridge right here.
From how it’s split between counties to how to get there, where to go, and where to turn when life gets tough.
Groombridge is unusual. It sits on the county line, with one foot in Kent, the other in East Sussex. The older part, the part steeped in centuries of history, is Kent. The newer half developed around the railway station, and that’s in Sussex.
So, if you’re looking at a map and wondering why you’re seeing two counties mentioned, that’s why. It matters because some services, schools, and even council contacts differ depending on which side of the village you’re on.
The original name was “Gromenbregge,” meaning Groman’s bridge, Groman being the Saxon chieftain who kept the crossing in order.
Then came 1239. King Henry III gave William Russell permission to build a moated manor house here, the start of what would become Groombridge Place. Over the next few hundred years, the estate saw high-ranking owners and strange stories.
John Packer, who owned the estate in the early 1600s, famously promised to build a chapel if Prince Charles’s marriage proposal to a Spanish princess fell through. It did. So he built one.
His son Philip rebuilt the manor in 1662. There’s a rumour Sir Christopher Wren helped him design it. Whether or not that’s true, the building still stands, surrounded by a moat and formal gardens.
More change came in 1866 when the railway arrived. But they put the station in Sussex. That single decision shifted the village’s centre of gravity to the newer half, sometimes called “New Groombridge.”
It’s worth knowing this split if you’re house-hunting, schooling children, or even researching local planning rules.
This village isn’t on a main train line. That’s important to know right away (you could try here). If you’re planning a visit, especially at a difficult time, knowing the options makes things easier.
Groombridge has a station, but it’s not what you might think. It’s a heritage line, part of the Spa Valley Railway [5]. It runs steam trains, mainly at weekends or for special events [6].
If you need proper commuter access:
You’ve got a few options:
Timetables change, so double-check on Bus Times [7].
Groombridge is small, but you’re not short on places to meet, eat, or take a moment.
Even if you’re just visiting, Groombridge offers places to breathe. And if you’re going through something, illness, grief, big life changes, that can make a difference.
Living in Groombridge isn’t loud. It doesn’t move fast. And that’s exactly why people stay.
It’s a place where local pubs double as meeting spaces, school gates still spark conversation, and walks in the woods are a normal part of daily life. For some, that makes it the right setting to grieve or begin again after a loss. For others, it’s simply home.
There’s one main school in the village. And it matters, not just for education, but for community.
For secondary, most families look just beyond Groombridge:
All are within easy reach. And for a rural area, that’s a huge bonus.
This is not a high street packed with chain stores. It’s the kind of village where:
There’s a sense of trust here. One that doesn’t rely on high footfall or passing trade, but on connection.
Groombridge may be a peaceful village, but when a death happens, peace can quickly feel like isolation. That’s when you need practical help. Fast. Local. Clear.
Welham Jones in Tunbridge Wells is the closest funeral director. It’s under five miles from Groombridge. And they know the area, the people, the roads, the local churches, and customs. That matters.
Getting there by car is straightforward.
If you’re driving from Groombridge to Welham Jones in Tunbridge Wells, the journey is short and straightforward.
Start by heading north on Corseley Road, passing The Homestead. After about 30 seconds, you’ll reach the turn-off for Broadwater Forest Lane. Follow this road through the wooded area for roughly six minutes. It’s a quiet stretch with minimal traffic.
Next, turn right onto Broadwater Down and continue for nearly a mile, around three minutes of driving. This brings you into Royal Tunbridge Wells.
From here, take London Road (A26) and stay on it until you reach the A264. Turn onto Crescent Road, and you’ll find Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials at number 39, just a few minutes down. The full journey takes around 15 minutes in normal traffic.
Buses from Groombridge also stop in central Tunbridge Wells, then it’s a short walk. Taxis are quick. You won’t need to explain where the village is.
There are funeral directors with similar-sounding names. Some are owned by large chains. That’s not Welham Jones.
They’re family-run, independent, and serve West Kent and South East London. That includes Groombridge.
You’re not passed from person to person. You’re met with empathy, not a script. The Tunbridge Wells team knows that sometimes you just need someone to take over, to guide you through paperwork, planning, and those first decisions.
They’re available 24/7. No call centre. No long waits. Just someone nearby, ready to help.
[1] “Groombridge<” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groombridge
[2] “Home of the Groombridge Gang,” Village Net, https://villagenet.co.uk/?v=groombridge_east%20sussex
[3] “History of Groombridge,”Kent Past, http://www.kentpast.co.uk/groombridge.html
[4] “Opening Times & Directions,” Hever Castle & Gardens, https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/visit/opening-times-directions/
[5] “Groombridge Station,” Spa Valley Railway, https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/article.php/30/groombridge-station
[6] Groombridge (Groombridge Station, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9RD), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/h4y3ZknzE1eWXdtq9
[7] “Groombridge,” via BusTimes.org, https://bustimes.org/localities/groombridge
[8] The Crown Inn (Crown Inn, Groombridge Hill, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9QH), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/M5rGJns8sDfGynfYA
[9] The Crown Inn Groombridge, https://www.thecrowngroombridge.com/
[10] The Junction Inn (Station Rd, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9RB), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/Nu13Udm1tiUJnAgq5
[11] “The Junction Inn, Trip Advisor,” https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g2626183-d2528520-Reviews-The_Junction_Inn-Groombridge_Royal_Tunbridge_Wells_Kent_England.html
[12] Groombridge Place (Groombridge Hill, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9QG), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/7WM8u5whdXVJsKJd9
[13] “Groombridge Place – Enchanted Forest & Gardens,” TripAdvisor, https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g2626183-d214780-Reviews-Groombridge_Place_Enchanted_Forest_Gardens-Groombridge_Royal_Tunbridge_Wells_Kent.html
[14] Harrison’s Rocks (Red Roofs, Eridge Rd, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9NJ), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/RhgS7wrfBYh7uau86
[15] “Harrison’s Rocks,” https://www.southernsandstoneclimbs.co.uk/p/harrisons-rocks.html
[16] Spa Valley Railway, https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/
[17] Groombridge St Thomas’ Church of England Primary School (Corseley Rd, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9SF), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/gNHGgJvXjFMiycMLA
[18] Groombridge St Thomas’ Church of England Primary School, https://www.groombridgest-thomas.e-sussex.sch.uk/
The location is easy. Deciding the flower arrangements, slightly trickier. But, when planning a funeral, we hear many family members say that writing the eulogy is the hardest part. Where do I start? What are people expecting me to say? How can I possibly epitomise an entire life in just one speech? With over thirty years of experience helping families across West Kent and South East London arrange funerals, we know how daunting this task can be. That’s why we’ve put together a practical guide, with tips to help you write and deliver a eulogy that truly honours your loved one.
