£20 million hotel investment

Plans have been drawn up to turn the Groombridge Place moated manor house into a luxury hotel, restaurant and spa.

Groombridge Place was built in 1662 and was until recently a family home.  

The changes for the 100 acre site have been submitted to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for approval.

The developers have a national chain of 8 luxury hotels called “The Pig” and the new location will be called “The Pig at Groombridge.”

The Groombridge hotel should open in 2026, with facilities such as a spa, vineyard restaurant, hydro pool and a yoga pavilion.

Chief executive of The Pig, Tom Ross (above), said:

“It is a wonderful property.

“It is a well-known building, so when it came on the market, we were aware of it and thought it would make a fantastic Pig Hotel.

“We are really excited about Groombridge. It is such a wonderful building; it has a huge amount of character, so to be able to bring that back to life is really the aspiration here.”

It is hoped the renovation will see increased local employment in the area and bring guests to explore the heritage of Groombridge and wider parts of Tunbridge Wells.

The council’s planning department has not decided on the application.

There will be 56 bedrooms in total, with other plans including building a car park and extending barns and stables.

Groombridge Place has been under refurbishment since March 2023 and The Pig had originally hoped to open the new hotel in 2025.

The brand already has a hotel in Kent near Canterbury, and like their other locations, they will grow their own food or locally source within 25 miles of Groombridge. 

The owl and raptor centres will be moved, with the long-term ambition being that the centres become part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Groombridge Place is a Grade I listed building and was first mentioned in 1239.

The current building was built in 1662 by Philip Packer and his friend Christopher Wren.

More from WEST KENT NEWS

  • Damage to Historic Train

    Graffiti vandals have undone hours of restoration work by volunteers at Spa Valley Railway.

  • Funding "challenging"

    A major redevelopment of Sevenoaks town centre is set to include a new swimming pool and 264 new homes.

  • Finches Farm

    There's strong local resistance to plans for 120 new homes on farmland next to Capel Primary School.

  • Nature in Crisis

    Audio

    Kent Wildlife Trust is trying to raise half a million pounds from the public to restore nightingales and other wildlife to land near Scotney Castle.

  • Funding Cuts

    The boss of an Academy Trust that runs two secondary schools in Tonbridge has warned it could make teachers redundant.

  • Candidates Tonbridge

    The Green Party will be defending two seats in Tonbridge at the final Kent County Council elections on May 1st.

  • Candidates Tun Wells

    Most Tunbridge Wells residents will have 7 parties to choose from at the Kent County Council elections.

  • Properties "Too big"

    Councillors have rejected plans to build 44 homes on the redundant AXA office site in Tunbridge Wells.

On Air Now Through The Night 1:00am - 7:00am
Now Playing
When Love Breaks Down Prefab Sprout
Recently Played
  • I Got You Babe Sonny & Cher 4:35
  • Budapest George Ezra 4:31
  • Hey There Delilah Plain White T's 4:28

COMING UP

  • Brian Johnson

    7:00am - 10:00am

    West Kent Breakfast sponsored by Berry & Lamberts

  • Tom Hogan

    10:00am - Noon

    Mid Mornings