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The Carpenters Arms

Name: The Carpenters Arms
Address: Three Elm Lane, Tonbridge, GB

★★★★·9.2/ 10Excellent

·Hotels

📍Three Elm Lane · Tonbridge ↗

📞+4401732850307·Official site ↗

Check-in 03:00 PM / out 11:00 AM

Offsite parking discounted rates availableFamily roomsSoundproof roomsParkingPets allowedTerraceAll 41 facilities +

Review

Official

Located in Tonbridge, The Carpenters Arms is a 3-minute drive from Broadview Gardens and 7 minutes from All Saints' Tudeley. This hotel is 11. 4 mi (18. 4 km) from Hever Castle and Gardens and 13. 3 mi (21. 3 km) from Mote Park. Take in the views from a terrace and a garden and make use of amenities such as complimentary wireless Internet access. The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Free self parking is available onsite. At The Carpenters Arms, enjoy a satisfying meal at the restaurant. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Local cuisine breakfasts are served on weekdays from 7 AM to 10:30 AM and on weekends from 8 AM to 10:30 AM for a fee. Stay in one of 9 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms with bathtubs or showers are provided. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers, and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

Guest scores & sentiment

From 634 guest reviews · multi-source · as of 2026-07-04

Guests praise the luxurious rooms, excellent food, and friendly staff. Common complaints include plumbing noises, inconsistent hot water, occasional cleaning lapses, and slow service during peak times.

Dimension scores · cross-source

Location9.6

Service9.2

Facilities9.2

Cleanliness9.2

Value8.8

Surroundings8.4

＋ PraisedBeautiful and private garden suites · High-quality fresh food · Scenic and peaceful environment · Most staff are warm and professional

－ ComplaintsSlow or negligent service at times · Some rooms have defects or cleanliness issues · High prices · Slow service at peaks

KEYIdeal for foodies and pet owners seeking luxury. Book dining early; request quiet rooms if sensitive to noise.

FAQ · grounded in hotel data & reviews

locationHow is the location and transportation?＋

Located in peaceful fields outside Tonbridge with a 9.6 location score. Offers discounted parking and free wired internet, ideal for tranquility.

diningHow is the dining quality?＋

Renowned for high-standard, fresh, and delicious meals. Offers kid meals and room service, though some families noted slow service during peaks.

familyIs this hotel suitable for families?＋

Highly suitable with pet-friendly policies and kid meals. Spacious rooms, but be aware of potential slow service during peaks and occasional hygiene lapses.

coupleAny recommendations for couples?＋

Highly rated by couples. Garden suites are recommended for their luxurious decor, comfortable bedding, and private patios with beautiful views.

roomWhat are the highlights and drawbacks of the rooms?＋

Highlights include LCD TVs, Nespresso machines, and soundproofing. Drawbacks involve plumbing noises, unstable hot water, and occasional cleaning lapses.

serviceHow is the service attitude?＋

Service scores 9.2/10 with friendly and attentive staff. However, response times may be slow during peaks, so booking ahead is advised.

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Nearby & map

DiningSights

Shwen Shwen

African · Bib

££

Colourful, unfussy and joyous, there is so much to love about this great little restaurant decorated with warm hues and black-and-white photographs depicting scenes from West Africa, setting the stage perfectly for Maria Bradford’s generous, vibrantly flavoured food. A self-taught chef from Sierra Leone, she pulls inspiration from her home country and beyond for dishes such as meltingly tender beef short rib in a delicious groundnut and coconut sauce. The tasting menu is great for hungry diners, but brilliant value can be found when sharing plates from the à la carte.

10.8km

Tallow

Modern Cuisine

£££

You'll get a warm and friendly welcome at this cosy neighbourhood restaurant run by experienced couple Rob and Donna. Situated overlooking the green at Southborough, it's a rustic, homely place with an intimate chef's table counter upstairs if you're looking for a special occasion. Time and care is poured into every well-constructed dish, with each one showcasing the kitchen's strong knowledge of culinary techniques while delivering bold, hearty flavours. Look out for seasonal desserts like sake-marinated Gariguette strawberries.

7.0km

Kentish Hare

Modern Cuisine

£££

Behind the clapboard façade sits a spacious bar with bookshelf wallpaper and a modern extension where you can watch the chefs cooking steaks on two Big Green Eggs. Care is taken both in sourcing and cooking, and dishes are boldly flavoured and well-presented. Simpler dishes are available on the bar menu.

7.3km

The Counter by Robin Read

Modern British

££££

Considering its name, it may come as a surprise to learn that there are actually only four counter seats at this dark and moody restaurant on a leafy street. Those spots are very much the prized tickets however, as they give you a great view of the action and you'll be served by the eponymous chef himself. His cooking is rooted in local suppliers (and some produce from the kitchen garden), resulting in dishes that shine a spotlight on top-quality central ingredients like succulent Sussex chicken – even the wine list features some nearby growers. The service is personable and pleasingly relaxed

9.5km

Thackeray's Restaurant

Modern British

£££

A softly illuminated clapboard house; the oldest in town and once home to the eponymous author. Classic dishes have modern elements and feature lots of different ingredients. The moody first floor private rooms showcase local art.

9.5km

Bowleys at The Plough

Modern British

£££

Tucked away down a narrow street, The Plough proudly declares that it is 'community owned, family run'. The community in question is the people of Trottiscliffe, who rallied round to buy and refurbish their local pub when property developers were circling. Among their number was the Yates family, who now look after this small restaurant offering a concise menu of carefully crafted, ambitious and classically based dishes. Local produce, some of it their own, informs the menus – even the butter is homemade.

11.9km

The Stile Bridge

Fusion

££

You'll receive a warm welcome at this well-run roadside pub where vintage charm blends with contemporary cool. The extensive menu is rooted in top-quality British ingredients, but the eclectic dish influences come from all over the world, from France to Thailand, the Mediterranean to Latin America. Whichever country has provided the inspiration, the cooking will be generous in both size and flavour, combining several complementing elements in one dish. The sharing steaks are a feature if you're dining with friends.

14.1km

The Small Holding

Modern British

££££

There's a rustic, farmhouse-like feel to this former village pub run by two brothers. The team's focus is firmly on self-sufficiency, growing an array of fruit and vegetables on their own land, using no-dig and low-intervention methods. This seasonal produce heavily informs the monthly changing tasting menu, which blends British and Nordic culinary influences in dishes that have bold, well-balanced flavours and lots of personality. In summer, grab a seat on the terrace for an aperitif overlooking the garden.

15.6km

Click a row to locate it · distances are approximate. Data from Overture / Michelin / Wikidata.

The Carpenters Arms

Guest scores & sentiment

Room types · 4

Luxury Double Room

Standard Double Room

Standard Twin Room

Deluxe Double Room

Facilities · 41

Nearby & map