Pembury is a village in Kent. About 6,100 people live here. It sits inside the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which means it’s surrounded by countryside, ancient woodland, and farmland. But it’s not isolated. The A21 cuts right through, connecting you to the M25 and London, or down to Hastings on the coast. This is the reality of Pembury. It’s a mix of rural life and commuter convenience.
The name is old. Saxon. It comes from ‘Pepingburh’, meaning ‘the place of Pepping’s people’. People first settled here permanently around 800 AD. For a long time, it wasn’t one single village but five separate hamlets that grew and merged over the centuries: Upper Green, Lower Green, Hawkwell, Bo-Peep, and Romford [published here]. The village has a history of industry. First cloth making, between the 16th and 18th centuries. Then, for over 100 years, it was brick and tile making. That industry is gone now. The brickworks closed in 1939. Today, it’s a place people call home [1].
You need to know how to get around. This is a practical matter.
First, Pembury does not have its own train station. This is a critical fact. The nearest stations are at High Brooms, Tunbridge Wells, or Paddock Wood. So if you’re commuting by rail, you have to drive or get a bus to the station first. Many people do. It’s a commuter village.
The roads are the main arteries. The A21 is the big one, giving you that direct route north or south. The A228 heads straight into Tunbridge Wells (weblink). It’s a short drive. But be aware, being near major roads means dealing with traffic. It’s a trade-off.
If you don’t drive, you’ll need to know the buses. The Arriva routes 6 and 277 are the key services connecting Pembury to Tunbridge Wells [2]. The Metrobus 284 [3] also runs from the Tunbridge Wells Hospital, which is physically located in Pembury parish, into the town centre. Knowing these numbers and where the stops are, like at Woodsgate Corner or The Camden Arms, is essential.
For day-to-day living, Pembury has the essentials covered. There is a large Tesco superstore [4], a post office counter in the newsagents, a pharmacy, a vet, and a few hairdressers. There’s also a farm shop and a Notcutts garden centre [5] [6] that a lot of locals use.
For families, schools are a major factor. Pembury Primary School [7] [8] is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. The Pembury School House nursery is rated ‘Outstanding’. These are important metrics. For secondary schools, students typically travel to the comprehensive and grammar schools in the larger towns of Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge.
For recreation, there’s the Pembury Recreation Ground [9] where the Pembury Athletic Youth Football Club [10] [11] and Pembury Bowls Club [12] is located. It’s a central spot with play areas, a skate park, and even an outdoor gym. For a walk, there’s Pembury Woods. If you want a pub, there are three on the green, including The Black Horse [13] [14] and The Camden Arms [15] [16]. They serve food. For a coffee, the café inside Notcutts.
When a death occurs, you need practical help, not a sales pitch or complications.
Welham Jones is a family-run funeral director. We are not based in Pembury village itself. Our nearest branch is in Royal Tunbridge Wells, at 39 Crescent Road (over here). It is a straightforward, 10-minute drive from Pembury. This proximity is important. It matters. Especially because the Tunbridge Wells Hospital is located within Pembury. If a loved one passes away at the hospital, our team can be there quickly to bring them into our care.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You call the number, and a person answers. Our job is to listen to what you and your family need, explain the options clearly, and give you a full breakdown of the costs. No surprises. We are here to take care of the arrangements so you don’t have to navigate them alone during a difficult time.
Arranging a funeral involves local places. We know them. For a church service in the village, there is St Peter’s [17] (both the Upper and the Old Church) or Pembury Baptist Church [18]. We have worked with them all for many years. For a wake or gathering after the service, many families use local venues like The Camden Arms or The Black Horse. We can help coordinate this.
The nearest crematorium is the Kent & Sussex Crematorium, located in Tunbridge Wells. Knowing the procedures, the people, and the practicalities of these local venues is our job. It removes a significant burden from you.
Our commitment to your family does not end when the funeral service is over. We understand that the weeks and months that follow can be just as challenging, and we are here to provide ongoing support.
If you’re coming from Pembury, the journey to our funeral home on Crescent Road is simple and takes just under 10 minutes by car.
Start your journey by heading west along Romford Road, moving towards Lower Green Road. From there, continue along the High Street and join Pembury Road. This route will take you directly into Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Stay on Pembury Road until you reach Crescent Road, part of the A264. You’ll find Welham Jones Funerals & Memorials located at 39 Crescent Road, just a short distance from the centre of town.
Our funeral home is easy to find and conveniently situated for families in the local area. Should you need any help with directions or parking, we’re always here to help.
Call us. Our team is available 24/7. Because our Tunbridge Wells branch is so close to the hospital, we can provide immediate assistance and bring your relative into our care with dignity and respect.
By car, the most direct route is the A228 which becomes the A26. It’s a simple drive. If you are using public transport, the Arriva bus routes 6 or 277 will take you from Pembury into Tunbridge Wells town centre, a short walk from our branch.
We can arrange both. We will explain the options for local cemeteries and churchyards, handle the necessary paperwork, and ensure all arrangements are made according to your wishes.
We are a family-run firm. The people you speak to are the people who will be looking after you. We focus on providing clear, unpolished, and honest guidance. We are not part of a large corporation. Our proximity to Pembury, especially the hospital, means we can offer a very responsive and personal service to families in the village. Our support also continues after the funeral is over.
[1] Pembury Parish Council – History, https://pemburyparishcouncil.gov.uk/history/
[2] Pembury to Royal Tunbridge Wells – 3 ways to travel via bus, taxi, and foot – Rome2Rio, https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Pembury/Royal-Tunbridge-Wells
[3] 284 – Tunbridge Wells Hospital – Tunbridge Wells Station (from 7th June 2025) | Metrobus, https://www.metrobus.co.uk/services/MB/284
[4] Tesco Superstore (Tesco Stores Ltd, Pembury Rd, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells TN2 4NE), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/eAwxGsk8PYU8f5Yc7
[5] Notcutts Tunbridge Wells (Tonbridge Rd, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells TN2 4QN), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/rKKACzgL4RCemAwH8
[6] Notcutts Tunbridge Wells website https://www.notcutts.co.uk/garden-centres/tunbridge-wells
[7] Pembury Primary School (Lower Green Rd, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells TN2 4EB), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/63kj2dXFsCVtU7aD6
[8] Pembury Primary School website https://www.pembury.kent.sch.uk/
[9] Pembury Recreation Ground (Pembury Recreational Ground, Lower Green Road, Pembury TN2 4EX)
[10] Pembury Athletic Youth Football Club, Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PemburyYouthFC/
[11] Pembury Athletic Youth Football Club (Pembury Recreational Ground, Lower Green Road, Pembury TN2 4EX), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/YTHmb7oAEt8f1PLHA
[12] Pembury Bowls Club website https://www.pemburybowlsclub.com/
[13] The Black Horse, Tripadvisor, https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g2290622-d1652882-Reviews-The_Black_Horse-Pembury_Royal_Tunbridge_Wells_Kent_England.html
[14] The Black Horse website https://blackhorsepembury.co.uk/contact-us
[15] The Camden Arms website https://www.camdenarms.co.uk/contact.html
[16] The Camden Arms website (1 High St, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells TN2 4PH), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/rUdyujwh5HjQUVRo8
[17] St Peter’s Church Pembury (Hastings Rd, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells TN2 4PE), Goole Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/xJyVWRpA5sxodY2E7
[18] Pembury Baptist Church (1 Romford Rd, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells TN2 4HT), Google Maps, https://maps.app.goo.gl/vCGKi3wJCBaTwbDu6
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.
