Royal Tunbridge Wells car hire

Swathed in the rolling hills and misty lanes of the High Weald, Tunbridge Wells is one of southern England’s most iconic country towns. You can explore its colonnaded shopping streets, tea rooms and Regency architecture on foot – but, to tour the surrounding countryside’s postcard-ready villages, you’ll need to hire a car.

Tunbridge Wells is just a 40-minute drive from Gatwick Airport, which is home to a clutch of car hire companies. International providers offering airport pickup here include Budget, Enterprise, Sixt, Hertz and Avis.

Strong competition means that there are plenty of rental bargains on offer – perfect for securing a cheap deal; but, you need to compare prices and book online in advance via TravelSupermarket.com to ensure that you get the best price Leaving it until you arrive at Gatwick means you will pay a lot more and you may not get the vehicle you want.

If you’re looking for car hire in the town itself, there are a number of local alternatives. U4 Vehicle Hire, Sun Rent and Hyundai Go all offer rental options close to the town’s two main railway stations, High Brooms and Tunbridge Wells West. Alternatively, the nearest international car rental agency is Sixt, which has a base on Quarry Road. And for a greater range of cheap deals, expand your search to nearby Tonbridge.

The town’s historic quarter is best explored on foot, with the Victorian High Street and the boutiques of the famous Pantiles all within strolling distance of each other. Many of the town’s grandest hotels are dotted around this well-to-do area but, for the cheapest accommodation, look to the nearby northern suburbs.

If you’re driving into town then remember to avoid rush hour as long queues are inevitable. The most conveniently-located car parks are on Linden Park Road, Union House, Great Hall and Little Mount Sion.

With the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty right on Tunbridge Wells’ doorstep, it makes sense to hire a car to explore the area. Try out the walking trails of the Ashdown Forest, a wildlife-rich heathland just half an hour’s drive from the town or spot rare birds at nearby Broadwater Warren RSPB reserve.

Bedgebury National Pinetum, a national collection of over 10,000 conifer specimens, is 20 minutes from Tunbridge Wells’ town centre while the wineries of Biddenden and the Chapel Down are also within easy driving distance.

Dotted around Tunbridge Wells are some of the prettiest villages in the Southeast. Six miles east of the town is history-rich Brenchley with its overhanging Tudor buildings and crooked roofs. Cranbrook, famous for its landmark windmill and independent boutiques, is half an hour’s drive from Tunbridge Wells, while idyllic Goudhurst is around 20 minutes away. All have central car parks where you can leave your car hire vehicle while you explore.

There are bags of things to do in and around Tunbridge Wells for families. Take a trip on the Spa Valley steam railway, drive to nearby Bedgebury Forest to experience the treetop zip-wire adventure, Go Ape, or tackle the famous Maize Maze at historic Penshurst Place.

Older kids can learn to climb at Harrison’s Rocks or Bowles Outdoor Centre, while the little ones can enjoy a game of Poohsticks at Ashdown Forest – the home of storybook character Winnie the Pooh. And with dozens of quintessentially English country pubs conveniently within reach, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.