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A bit of History
One
of the most charming towns of the South, it has a broad
High Street lined with Trees, Shops and dwellings nearly
all with their original facades dating from Elizabethan
to Georgian times. The Georgian predominates, with most
of the houses being built between 1720 and 1760. The town
also has many fine old inns.
Please see the Eating pages.
The tower of the parish church of St
Mildred's dominates
the town. Built in the 15th
century, it rises more than 100ft above the ground, and from the
top on a clear day it is possible to see right across the Weald
to the Channel coast. It is even possible to see shipping on the
channel and the French Coast. A fine view indeed. However, the tower is
open only at certain times of the year.
Tenterden is an associate member of the the
Cinque Ports, a
confederation of Southern towns who organised themselves into a
navy, to defend themselves against invaders from the continent.
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Caxton, William (c.
1422-1491)
The first English
printer, William Caxton was reputed to have been born in
Tenterden. In fact there is a pub in the town dedicated to him.
Caxton was apprenticed to a London cloth dealer in 1438, and set
up his own business in Bruges 1441-70. From Bruges, he went to
Cologne in 1471, where he learned the art of printing. He
returned to Bruges and set up his own press in partnership with
Colard Mansion, a calligrapher, where he produced the first book
printed in English, his own version of a French romance, Recuyell
of the Historyes of Troye 1474. Returning to London in 1476, he
produced the first book printed in England, Dictes or Sayengis of
the Philosophres 1477.
The books from Caxton's press in Westminster included editions of
the poets; Chaucer, John Gower, and John Lydgate (c. 1370-1449).
He also translated many texts from French and Latin and revised
some English ones, such as Malory's Morte d'Arthur.
Altogether he printed about 100 books.
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The Kent & East Sussex Steam Railway
A fully working restored steam
train service "the country's finest example of a rural
light railway.". Trains run most of
the year and gently wends its way from Tenterden - "The
Jewel of The Weald" for ten and a half miles, through
Northiam and the unspoilt
countryside of the Rother Valley, to terminate in the shadow of the
magnificent National Trust castle at Bodiam.
Many specials run: including "Santa
Special" and the "Wealden Pullman" for luxury dining on Saturday
Dinner, Sunday Lunch and tea.
A great trip indeed.
Telephone 01580 765155
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Our View:
There is lots of
choice when it comes to what to see, eat and stay in Tenterden.
We have listed all the establishments on our
eating and
sleeping
pages, so the choice is yours.
Where
to stay (Book a room online)
What else to see:
Plenty of Antique shops
There are plenty to choose from. Just visit.
Antique shops in Tenterden
A fun day. See all the local dealers and people looking for a
bargain battle it out. Maybe pick up a bargain.
Walk the Famous Tree Lined High Street
See the
picture above. Take a stroll and savour the ambiance? Have a drink "al fresco"
at one of the many cafes and Restaurants along the High Street.
Dining in
Tenterden - (All bookable
online)
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Tenterden & District Museum
Station Rd, Tenterden.
01580 764 310
Click logo for museum
information
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Ellen Terry
Museum @ Smallhythe (National Trust)
Smallhythe, Tenterden, TN30 7NG.
Early 16th-century half-timbered house, museum and Barn
Theatre.
Tel 01580 76 2334. |
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St Midreds Church & Tower
A fine church. A number of Jane Austin's family graves are here. |
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Tenterden Leisure Centre
A newly constructed Leisure centre. It features a great fun pool,
superb facilities for squash, badminton, many keep fit and
exercise classes. Very popular. A not to be missed when visiting
Tenterden.
Telephone: 01580 765987 |
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Tenterden
Vineyard - Chapel Down
Working Vineyard and cafe on the way to Smallhythe.
Tasting
available.
Visit the
Famous
Richard Phillips at Chapel Down Restaurant for a delicious Lunch,
Dinner or Sunday Lunch. |
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Biddenden Vineyard
A working Vineyard at Biddenden. Tasting available.
Telephone 01233 291726
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Nearest Tourist Information
Centres:
Tenterden -
01580 763 572
Ashford - 01233 629 165
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