Cranbrook guidebook

This "capital" status comes from when Cranbrook was right at the heart of Kent's broadcloth manufacturing industry which was brought to the region by a group of Flemish weavers back in the 14 th century.

The town's natural resources of timber, rock and water helped the industry to flourish, and the most famous cloth to be produced there was called, fittingly, Cranbrook Grey.

On a royal visit to the town in 1573, Queen Elizabeth I allegedly walked on a specially-made, mile-long piece of this broadcloth before heading to her accommodation in what was then called the George Inn.

Centuries later, The George is still open for business, albeit with a slightly modernized name having now become "The George Hotel & Brasserie".

And it isn't the only building still standing after hundreds of years: Cranbrook has a large stock of period properties, in particular the white weatherboarded buildings known as Wealden houses.

These are set amidst narrow streets and alleyways which date back to medieval days and make the town seem a charming cross between past and present times.

There is a selection of shops which seem tailor-made for browsing tourists, antiques and gift shops being prime examples; but residents aren't neglected and there is a good range of more functional stores.

Cranbrook has an enticing array of places to eat and drink from simple pub grub through to fine dining in more sumptuous surroundings, and its central location makes it an ideal base from which to explore the many nearby attractions including historic houses and renowned gardens. 

Property in Cranbrook

Housing stock in Cranbrook is quite special due to its high proportion of character and period properties, many of which are listed buildings.

There are lots of attractive and well-preserved Kentish weatherboarded homes, a fair few Oast houses, and cottages dating from the 17 th and 18 th centuries are a common enough sight.

The town also has the more common supply of semis, detached and terraced houses, as well as a few flats.

On the outskirts and in the surrounding parts there are several grand and spacious, and accordingly rather expensive, properties which are popular with wealthy commuters looking for a country pile.

Buyers: Families make up a large proportion of the market, and many estate agents advertise properties as being within the Cranbrook School catchment area as a selling point.

Lack of a station doesn't prevent the town from being popular with commuters with access to a car.

Mature people are attracted to Cranbrook's community spirit and countryside setting.

Living in Cranbrook

Transport

• Road: The main A229 bypasses the village so there are relatively few traffic problems and acceptable, if not brilliant, road links.
• Train: There is no station Cranbrook but Staplehurst (about five miles north) has a regular rail service to London Charing Cross with a journey time of around one hour.
• Bus: Buses between Maidstone and Hastings, and Tunbridge Wells and Tenterden stop in the town.

Shopping

• There is a good mix of tourist-type gift, craft and antiques shops alongside those geared towards residents such as newsagents, a small supermarket, a chemist and a hairdresser.
• A wider range of shops can be found in nearby Tunbridge Wells or Maidstone.
• A monthly Farmers' Market is held in the centre of town on the 4 th Saturday of the month.

Food & Drink

• Cranbrook has a very good range of pubs and restaurants for its size, and food styles range from traditional pub grub to fine dining.
• There are additional country pubs in the surrounding villages.

Entertainment & leisure

• The Union Mill, also known as the Cranbrook Windmill, is a sky-scraping structure which is open to the public and allows some fantastic views from the top.
• Cranbrook Museum is set in a beautiful period house and gardens, and depicts the history of the town and surrounding areas.
• The Queen’s Hall Theatre, part of Cranbrook School, stages regular productions performed by the Cranbrook Operatic and Dramatic Society (CODS).
• Sissinghurst Castle Gardens are very well-known for their beauty and are only a short drive away.
• Other nearby attractions include Scotney and Bodiam castles, and Great Dixter Gardens.

Sports & clubs

• There is a good sports centre just outside the town with tennis courts, a swimming pool and dance studio which is very popular.
• There are a number of clubs and societies including the Rotary Club, Royal British Legion, Cranbrook Conservation and Cranbrook Local History Society.