Where do you live?
I’ve lived in Tunbridge Wells my whole life and moved to a few different areas during that time. I spent a decade in the St John’s area but recently moved to The Pantiles’ end of town. I love it but I will miss being so close to the fantastic independent restaurants, pubs and cafés of St John’s!
What made you decide to move elsewhere in Tunbridge Wells?
I wanted a change after a decade in St John’s, and a really great property came on the market. I’m extremely excited to be better located for nights spent at the best restaurants and bars on The Pantiles, Chapel Place and the High Street.
Where’s your favourite shop?
We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to fantastic independent shopping in Tunbridge Wells, it’s so hard to choose just one! As a passionate foodie, I love visiting Fuller’s Butchers for high-quality fresh meat, as well as The Cheese Shop on St John’s Road for a fantastic selection of delicious dairy.
Where’s the best place to go for a Sunday stroll?
Hurst Woods, which is a short stroll off Reynolds Lane, is a beautiful wooded area that I’ve enjoyed exploring over the past few years. There’s usually a mix of dog walkers, joggers and families exploring the vast area of woodland. It’s a beautifully peaceful place to enjoy some local nature an unwind for an hour or two.
The best place to get a cup of coffee?
Being in St John’s, I usually get my takeaway coffees from Even Flow. The team there are so friendly and the oat milk hot chocolates are so rich and divine during the winter months! My local now will be Fine Grind, which I’m of course ecstatic about.
Where do you take people when they come to visit?
We’ll usually start down on The Pantiles with breakfast at Framptons before walking up the High Street, through Calverley Grounds and up to Dunorlan. Oh, and with a couple of pub stops en-route of course!
What’s the night life like where you live?
There’s such a fantastic variety of pubs and bars in Tunbridge Wells – some of my favourites are The Guinea (best happy hour in town), the Wine Rooms and Saint John’s Yard. I also love disco music and Boogie Nights at The Forum is always a fun and joyful night.
Where’s your favourite place to eat locally?
As a food blogger this is the question I get asked most often! It really depends on my mood and what I’m craving at the time to be honest. I’m a big fan of the Shuffle House on St John’s Road for their delicious Neapolitan pizzas and South American tapas, Kai’s Kitchen for the always-faultless Thai dishes and Kiko for the wonderful atmosphere and high-quality (but inexpensive) sushi.
Are there any nice views nearby?
One of my favourite places for beautiful views is Broadwater Warren nature reserve. It’s a lovely place to explore and see a large variety of birds and wildlife.
If you’re looking to relax and unwind, where’s your favourite place to go?
Honestly I’d simply say a pub or restaurant! A delicious meal with fantastic company and even-better wine is my way of unwinding after a stressful day.
Where’s the best place to meet?
The Pantiles on a sunny afternoon or evening is my favourite place to socialise with friends. I love it when all of the tables outside the restaurants and cafés are full and there’s a buzzy atmosphere all around.
What do you do when you spend a weekend or day off in the local area?
I’ll usually catch up with a couple of friends over brunch and then head out to one of the local villages or parks for a stroll around before heading out for dinner in the evening.
Why do you love where you live?
I really believe Tunbridge Wells is the best place to live in the South East. As a foodie, the local food scene is incomparable and highly diverse, with huge support from residents (myself included) for independent eateries. The sense of community is one of the biggest strengths of the town and I’m very lucky to know lots of fantastic people who are passionate about continuing to keep this as an amazing place to live.
