The Toad Rock Retreat: "the newest old pub in Tunbridge Wells"

Parts of this delightful community pub are said to date back to the 18th century. The building burned down in 1998 and had to be rebuilt. It was originally three cottages converted into one, but these had been so radically changed over the years that all that remained of them were some internal walls. Apparently, the building also burned down in the 1930s, so much of the structure was dated from then.

The new pub opened in April 1999. Seating 50, and with a selection of fine ales including Harveys Sussex Best, the pub offers a welcome rest for walkers, climbers and families. A Sunday Roast is also offered and there is live music every Thursday night from 9pm. Click here for more information on upcoming gigs.

The new Retreat is so faithful a recreation of the old one that people who have been away for a couple of years often assume that it has just been redecorated!

The structure is definitely straighter and tidier though, and tall people no longer have to duck the beams.

The Village

Much of the charm of Denny Bottom is that it is surrounded by woodland but is a mere stroll from the shops of Rusthall proper, and only a slightly longer walk to and from Tunbridge Wells.

It is ideal walking territory - in one direction is Rusthall Common leading to Happy Valley and High Rocks and in the other is the wonderful and little known treasure of Hurst Woods, rescued from housing development by the Woodland Trust.

For the more energetic, there is a great circular walk through Hurst Woods to Speldhurst and then back through the woods to Lower Green in Rusthall.

Until a little over 100 years ago, Denny Bottom was a sandstone quarry, one of several dotted around the area to provide for the mansions of Broadwater Down, Camden and Calverley Parks.

The village was also the main laundry area for Tunbridge Wells. All the rich people's dirty washing would be carted to the village to be scrubbed and hung out on the rocks and gorse bushes of the common to dry.

The Rocks and Toad Rock

Besides the pub, the main draw for visitors is the Toad Rock and its surrounding outcrop, including the sands and Bulls Hollow through the woods.

These Rocks have provided generations of children with a safe, natural playground. All the rocks have different names, some of which date back at least a century.

The Toad Rock first made its appearance in a tourist guide of the area in 1810 and acquired its name around 1820. The base has been strengthened with concrete in the past, in order to preserve this local landmark.

According to local legend, it is said that the headless ghost of a soldier from a Civil War Cromwellian regiment roams nearby Hurst Woods on horseback.

Certainly, historical texts note that a regiment was present in Rusthall during the Civil War to keep watch and guard the local gun foundries, whereas the King's forces were based at Southborough.

For more information and pictures of the area, visit the Denny Bottom and Rusthall website.

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