The storybook Kent village with buildings so old they’re crooked plus a cosy pub and cafe decorated for Christmas

This village in Kent has stepped right out of the storybooks with its crooked rooftops, Tudor buildings and a pub with nooks and crannies and a crackling open fire. All you need is a covering of snow, as in this spectacular picture, and you have the perfect wintry setting for a tale of years gone by.

If you like walking, this gem of a village called Brenchley is nestled in the High Weald Area of outstanding natural beauty, surrounded by patchwork fields, orchards and woodland. And every traipse through the countryside is made better knowing there’s a cosy country pub at the end, where you can warm up and tuck into a hearty meal.

And that is traditional ale pub The Halfway House, where a warm welcome awaits, and which serves everything from a three course meal to an afternoon snack and people rave about it on TripAdvisor where it has 4.5 stars out of a possible five, from 205 reviews.

The good news is its three-course Christmas menu launches on December 1 and continues until December 24, but you must book and pre-order your choices. There are plenty of options and for those who crave a Christmas roast, it’s all there with roast turkey and all the trimmings, and there is a nut roast for vegetarians. And among the desserts, there is Christmas pudding with brandy cream.

People love the log fire, the olde worlde charm and the local beer and cider selection. The latest review says: “Called in for Lunch on Saturday and we were both very impressed. Lovely beer garden in a superb setting.”

“The food was absolutely amazing, large portions, served hot and the staff were so friendly. Definitely recommend and will certainly be going back. On my favourites list.”

Brenchley is a small village, so don’t expect to stay all day. It has a Post Office, where according to the parish council, the lease was extended for a year, and expires next October. And sadly Terry’s Butchers, housed in a stunning 16th century timber framed building Tudor Hall House, closed its doors in February, 2022.

It was subsequently sold in February 2023 for £575,000 with Lambert and Foster. In April this year, permission was given by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to make changes to create a home, including restoration of the historic frontage and reinstatement of a front door.

But there is the fabulous The Little Bull Cafe and Bar which serves homemade food for brunch and lunch, along with daily specials using seasonal, local ingredients. It also has drinks on Friday evening and pop-up themed evenings. And it currently looks gorgeous, straight out of a festive movie, with its twinkling Christmas tree outside and lights.

And if you want to stay in the village, look no further than The Bull at Brenchley next door, a Victorian pub converted into luxury self-catering for up to 16 people. It has everything you could want, including a basement media room with 65″ curved Ultra HD TV and Sky.

The village has a football club, Brenchley FC which plays in the West Kent Sunday League, and also Castle Hill Cricket Club which plays Sunday friendly cricket at a fairly high standard against “several good local club sides and also strolling teams”.

But worth a visit is the Grade I-listed All Saints’ Church, built around 1233, with its lovely squat shape, looking out across the High Street. It has stained glass windows and an avenue of 400-year-old yew trees. And be sure to go to the Millennium View Point in Crook Road for a spectacular view across the Weald.

‘Some from the 1200s’

The village has many historic features and most of the buildings lining the high street are half-timbered, tile-hung and white wooden weather-boarded houses of assorted ages – some from the 1200s.

Some are so old, their roofs are crooked and the walls have long lost their original lines, creating an imperfectly perfect storybook image of what an old village should look like.

There are Tudor buildings including a former work house and Visit Tunbridge Wells says “winding lanes overhung by the ancient Tudor houses are a quaint sight to behold”

It was the wealth created from bygone industries such as iron-founding, hat-making, herring smoking, brick-making and fruit growing, which were behind these lovely buildings. Brenchley even had ‘commuters’ of the 19th century.

The Flower of Kent stagecoach flew along with its cantering horses between Brenchley and London three times a week in 1823. The village centre – which is a conservation area – houses a magnificent Tudor building called the Old Palace, which has origins from around the time of the Battle of Agincourt and is now the village post office.

Now for the walk, and to get your bearings, Brenchley is eight miles east of Tunbridge Wells and three miles south of Paddock Wood. If you are up to a walk of 3.8 miles, estimated to take around 1hr 36 minutes, then take the All Saint’s Church loop from Brenchley.

It is described by Komoot as having easily accessible paths and “suitable for all skills’ levels”, and it has a 4.3 star rating out of five.

The Halfway House Christmas menu and how to book

You can look at the Christmas 2024 menu here – and you will need to call them on 01892 722 526 to reserve a table.

Find out more about Brenchley

Find out more about Brenchley, its history, more places to eat and drink, attractions nearby including Marle Place and Gardens and Gallery, and Scotney Castle four miles away, on this excellent page from Visit Tunbridge Wells.

How to get there

The nearest London-bound station is now at Paddock Wood, three miles away and there are buses from Paddock Wood and Tunbridge Wells. Find out how to get to Brenchley from where you are here.

Where to park

There is a long stay, open 24 hours, free parking in a public car park in Brenchley. There are just 10 spaces. A free Blue Badge allocated space. Public toilets. See location here, but post code is TN12 7NQ.