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The Lancers Bed & Breakfast
34 Church Road
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Kent TN1 1JP
Gilly@TheLancers.co.uk
01892 532387
07984 134279
The Lancers Bed & Breakfast
rated "excellent" by 14 travellers
Review The Lancers Bed & Breakfast on TripAdvisor
Charming B&B in the centre of Tunbridge Wells, the former home of Tom Baker, Dr Who actor
Why choose The Lancers? Four reasons immediately spring to mind: fresh food, blissful beds, helpful hosts and private parking! Book now by calling 01892 532387.
The Annexe
Self-contained, this stunning room has a sumptuous king-sized wrought iron bed. If you like space, romance and your own front door, and want a weekend to remember, opt for the Annexe with its magnificent beamed ceiling. You can see images of the B&B Annexe
here
.
The Blue Room
Would you like to stay in a cosy, beamed hideaway that is blissfully comfortable and tucked away at the top of a Georgian house that was the home of Tom Baker? Call 01892 532387 to book.
here
. (Scroll along using the green arrow to the end of the smaller images).
Your breakfast
You can enjoy a hearty Full English, a Vegetarian Breakfast, or a Slimmer's Feast in the B&B's oriental dining room. All our food is free range, and locally sourced from organic producers around Tunbridge Wells. We buy our meat from J Rook and our fruit and vegetables from Smith and Son, both small family businesses located next to each other on Mount Pleasant Road.
The breakfast is prepared freshly for you, and complimentary newspapers are provided at the table. The following is the Full English menu:
Choice of chilled fruit juice
Big bowl of fresh fruit
Organic yoghurts
Muesli or hot porridge
Breakfast cereals
Free range eggs cooked to order
Locally sourced unsmoked bacon
Free range pork and herb jumbo sausage
Baked beefsteak tomatoes
Heinz baked beans
Mushrooms tossed in butter, sea salt and cracked pepper
Home made white or granary toast
Tea (Indian, Earl Grey, or Green)
Cafetiere coffee or cafe latte
Please let us know when you book if you would like a vegetarian, vegan, or Slimmer's Feast. Alternatively we do a tasty undied smoked haddock with tomato and poached egg, but we do need to know about this in advance so we can make sure that this fish, which we buy fresh from the fishmonger (nothing we serve you is frozen!), is available for your stay.
Our central location
We will be delighted to help you choose from the many fantastic cafes, pubs and restaurants on your doorstep in Royal Tunbridge Wells, and make dinner or theatre reservations for you in advance of your stay.
You will find the bed and breakfast is located within walking distance of both the modern shopping centre, Royal Victoria Place, and the old town around The Pantiles. The Trinity Theatre and the Assembly Halls are on your doorstep.
Parking
There is one small offstreet parking space in the driveway of the B&B but we can provide you with a visitor's permit (£2 per day) so you can park in local residents' parking bays. As we are committed to being environmentally friendly, we would be delighted to collect you from Tunbridge Wells railway station so that you can leave your car at home - please be sure to request this when making your booking.
Our quality awards
We have a Quality in Tourism four star rating with a coveted silver award, and meet data protection, fire safety, health and safety and insurance regulations. We are actively working to improve our green credentials and you can read more about this under
About Us
.
We look forward to warmly welcoming you to The Lancers Bed & Breakfast and giving you one of the most enjoyable experiences of your lives.
Gilly and Pam
About this delightful Tunbridge Wells B&B
Name:
Email:
We bought The Lancers from actor Tom Baker and his wife Sue in the summer of 2007, when it was their family home. They were frequent guests at many of the restaurants in Tunbridge Wells, and Tom was a 'local' at the atmospheric Hotel du Vin, which is a couple of minutes' walk down the road.
The beamed Annexe with ensuite shower, which we have turned into superb, original guest accommodation, was Tom's den. It is the same as it was in Tom's day, with high beamed ceiling, wood panelling and leaded windows on three sides.
We have added a self-indulgently romantic and comfortable king size bed with memory foam, air pocketed mattress (many of our guests have said they have gone back home with the intention of buying one!) and fresh pressed cotton sheets, a dressing table and stool with mirror, a wardrobe and two comfy leather bucket seats.
We provide candles, bottled water, wine glasses, home-baked cupcakes and fresh fruit as well as the usual tea and coffee-making facilities you would expect, so you can enjoy a cosy, romantic evening with everything you want within easy reach!
In the summer of 2008 we were assessed by Visit Britain and gained a Four Star quality rating with a Silver Award for Excellence. We are also proud that we are currently the most popular B&B in Tunbridge Wells on Tripadvisor, ranked purely on our visitors' reports.
At The Lancers B&B we offer you little indulgences that aren't generally available elsewhere! Here are some of the complimentary treats you can expect when you stay at The Lancers:
A daily newspaper with your breakfast, when we wait on you throughout (no queueing at a buffet for your fruit juice and not a hostess trolly in sight - it's all cooked especially for you!).
Collection from Tunbridge Wells railway station (must be arranged when you make your booking) if you want to leave your car at home.
Free loan of a laptop so you can access the internet, or alternatively you can use our wireless connection with your own laptop
The Lancers B&B takes the welfare of the environment into account in the way we run our business. We use free range, local produce, recycle glass, plastic and paper, using low energy light bulbs where possible. We are also starting to use eco-friendly cleaning products.
If you would like a glimpse 'behind the scenes' of the bed and breakfast industry, have a peek on
Bed Posts
where Gilly, one of the owners of The Lancers, writes a "Travel Blues - Agony Aunt Column" blog.
Bed & breakfast rates
In this superb Tunbridge Wells bed & breakfast, rates start at £75 for a double room with ensuite shower and a hearty, fresh full English or cooked vegetarian or vegan breakfast. There is one free offroad parking space and you can enjoy an evening meal here if you wish (scroll down for full details).
Included in the price, as well as the quality toiletries and tea-making facilities that you would expect from a four star B&B, are:
Collection by car from Tunbridge Wells railway station during daytime hours (this needs to be organised when booking)
A complimentary daily or Sunday newspaper (The Times) at the table with your breakfast and a TV listings magazine in your room.
Bottled water and fruit bowl in your room.
Tealight candles.
Home-made cupcakes or biscuits.
Internet access on request.
The narrow stairs to the Blue Room (it is up two flights) are not suitable if you have mobility problems. This room forms the attic of the Queen Anne house and has characterful sloping ceilings - you can view images if you click on the pale green arrow to the right of the snapshots below.
Our terms
Your booking at this bed & breakfast is guaranteed when we take your card details and we take the first night as a non-refundable deposit. On departure, you can pay the remainder (if you are staying for more than one night) by cash, cheque or debit card; if you wish to pay by credit card we pass on the bank charges of 2%. We don't currently take American Express.
In the event that you need to cancel a booking at The Lancers, please give at least two weeks notice, otherwise we will charge the full room rate for the duration of the stay you booked (unless we are able to relet). We recommend you take out insurance against unforeseen cancellation.
Check-in at the bed & breakfast is 2-6pm unless otherwise agreed, and checkout is 11am, again, unless otherwise agreed.
Eating at The Lancers
We are within an easy stroll of the wonderful restaurants that Tunbridge Wells is famous for, but if you prefer to eat in, you have that option. All dishes are home-made and freshly prepared, and are for two people. Please feel free to bring your own bottle of wine (available from The Secret Cellar, opposite).
STARTERS:
Mackerel pate with lemon wedges
Gordon Ramsey inspired tomato and lentil soup
Tuscan bean soup
MAINS:
Creamy fish and prawn pie with seasonable vegetables
Stir-fried chicken with lime and coconut, served with rice
Leek and mascarpone risotto with rocket
Low-carb smoked haddock kedgeree with salad
PUDDINGS:
Almond torte with ice cream
Chocolate and cherry biscuit cake
Cheese and biscuits with apple and chutney
COFFEE:
Cafe latte or cafetiere with Italian biscottes (£3.00 for two)
Please pre-order to allow time for us to buy the fresh ingredients. Dinner is served from 6pm to 7pm by arrangement. Enjoy two delicious courses for £15 p.p. or three for £19 p.p.
+Enlarge Map
Directions to your Tunbridge Wells bed & breakfast
From M25 London Orbital/A21 Southbound
Leave M25 at Junction 5 and join A21 signposted for Sevenoaks and Hastings. Take the 4th exit for A26 Tunbridge Wells and Southborough. Follow A26 through Southborough and St. Johns. At mini roundabout, take 2nd exit marked for through traffic. Drive past the Kent & Sussex hospital on right. Continue past the parade of shops and restaurants, staying on the London Road (left hand fork) until you reach a set of traffic lights.
Turn left into Church Road, and park in The Lancers' small driveway, which is the first on your left. As this is set back from the road, look out for the Secret Cellar and a red postbox on your right - the driveway is opposite. 34 Church Road is marked at the back of the driveway over the top of the garage door.
There is an oak door to your left with a buzzer system by the side of it; press the button and you will be buzzed in.
From Brighton A207/A27
Leave Brighton on the A207 heading for Lewes following signs for A27. Then follow signs for A26 for Tunbridge Wells. Go straight over traffic lights at Crowborough (A26) and continue until you enter Tunbridge Wells. At the first mini roundabout bear left. Shortly after you will come to another mini roundabout (with the Swan Hotel on your right). Continue straight on (2nd exit on roundabout) until you come to the next roundabout and take the first exit (Barclays Bank is on the right hand corner). Continue on London Road to traffic lights and turn right.
Turn left into Church road, and park in The Lancers' small driveway, which is the first on your left. As this is set back from the road, look out for the Secret Cellar and a red postbox on your right - the driveway is opposite. 34 Church Road is marked at the back of the driveway over the top of the garage door. Please press the buzzer by the oak door on the left and you will be buzzed in.
From Eastbourne A2021/A22
Leave Eastbourne via the A2021 and head for A22 towards Uckfield. Join A26 at Horsted Place. Then follow directions above through Crowborough A26.
From Hastings A21
Follow the A21 through Robertsbridge and Flimwell, bypassing Lamberhurst. Leave the A21 following signposts for the A264 into Tunbridge Wells. Follow this road until you reach the traffic lights with the Royal Oak pub on your left. Turn right here onto Calverley Road. At the mini roundabout take the first exit onto Crescent Road. Continue straight over the next set of traffic lights (through the middle of town) just before the next set of traffic lights is The Lancers.
You may park in The Lancers' small driveway. As this is set back from the road, look out for the Secret Cellar and a red postbox on your right - the driveway is opposite. 34 Church Road is marked at the back of the driveway over the top of the garage door.
From Haywards Heath B2028 via East Grinstead
Follow B2028 to Turners Hill and join B2110, right turn. Follow this road into East Grinstead and join the one way system round town. Turn left onto the A264 for Tunbridge Wells. This road will take you through Hammerwood, Holtye, Blackham, Stone Cross. At the end of this road, turn left following signs for Tunbridge Wells. Drive through Langton Green and you will see The Spa Hotel on your left just after the Renault Garage. There is a small roundabout here, where you should take the 2nd exit along Major Yorks Road. Go to the end of the road where there is another roundabout and take the 1st exit to the next roundabout where you must take the first exit again (barclays Bank is on the right hand corner). Continue on London Road to traffic lights and turn right into Church Road.
Park in The Lancers' small driveway, which is the first on your left. As this is set back from the road, look out for the Secret Cellar and a red postbox on your right - the driveway is opposite. 34 Church Road is marked at the back of the driveway over the top of the garage door.
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Twelve activities to enjoy on foot from your accommodation in Tunbridge Wells
1. Amble down to The Pantiles, sample the healing spa water from the ancient Chalybeate spring (it tastes rusty), and ´see and be seen´, promenading along the length of this historic, pedestrianised part of town . . . as the Victorian ladies and gentleman used to when they were looking for marriage partners for themselves or their daughters in Tunbridge Wells in the days of yore!
2. Enjoy a pint or two of real ale at The Compasses in Little Mount Sion, the town´s oldest pub.
3. Browse the fresh local produce, including delicious pies and cheeses, at a farmers´ market. These take place on Civic Way, Tunbridge Wells (outside the Town Hall just at the end of the road in which your hotel accommodation is located) on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 9am-2pm.
4. Shop your heart out at Tunbridge Wells' Royal Victoria Shopping Centre, where you will find most of the big brand names. Interesting and quirky independent shops are to be found in adjacent Ely Court and along the Camden Road.
5. Pop into the charmingly converted former gothic church which is now the Trinity Theatre (also in Church Road) for a bohemian baguette and coffee, and see whether you fancy any of the theatrical, musical or film events that they are staging during your stay.
6. Treat yourself to a long, leisurely lunch. Many restaurants along Mount Pleasant (minutes from your accommodation) offer special deals on set mid-day meals and their menus are much cheaper than in the evenings. Alternatively, splurge on luncheon in some of the best places in town . . . we recommend the Hotel du Vin for a stylish experience, the Mount Edgcombe for a salad al fresco, or Prezzo for a tasty Italian risotto, all three only a few minutes´ stroll away from The Lancers.
7. Buy a copy of the Kent and Sussex Courier, available at newsagents, for local events and what´s on. Browse the large property section to indulge your fantasy about buying a beautiful Georgian cottage in the area!
8. Stay in bed all day in your comfy accommodation, and order an Indian, Chinese, fish and chips or pizza takeaway. Your hosts will organise this for you and provide you with the crockery and cutlery you need.
9. Pop into the Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery on Civic Way to see everything from Victorian oil paintings and archaeology to historic fashions and toys. The History Museum it isn´t, but entry is free.
10. Take a stroll atop the High Rocks, impressive sandstone outcrops linked by eleven bridges that provide scenic walks in acres of peaceful woodland. Pub lunches are available at the eponymous eaterie over the road.
11. Go swimming, play tennis or have a game of squash at Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, St John´s Road.
12. Ride the Spa Valley Railway from Tunbridge Wells to magical Groombridge Place, stopping off at High Rocks (see no. 10). Carefully restored steam trains wind through glorious countryside from late March to the end of October plus December (01892 537715 for times and prices).
About Tunbridge Wells
Tunbridge Wells is a long, thin town with chain stores at Victoria Shopping Centre and antique and curio shops on the historic Pantiles. Worth a visit is Camden Road with its interesting, bohemian outlets.
Getting Around
Buses
(Arriva)
We are a short walk from the buses, the location to catch them is shown on the map.
Trains
(South Eastern Railways)
Trains go to London, Hastings etc from the railway station (five minutes away).
What's On in Tunbridge Wells
Please confirm the following information with the venue as while we strive to be accurate we can't be held responsible for any errors
Trinity Theatre
Address: Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1JP
E-mail: info@trinitytheatre.net
Ticket office: 01892 678678
Assembly Hall Theatre
Address: Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2LU
Email: Boxoffice.aht@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
Ticket office 01892 530613
Odeon Tunbridge Wells
Address: Knights Park, Knights Way, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 3UW
Phone Filmline: 0871 2244007
To April
Tunbridge Wells Rocks
A celebration of the astonishing sandstone outcrops of Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding High Wealden countryside
Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery.
Great deals
FREEBIE: Book for three nights or more and enjoy a traditional English tea
We would be delighted to introduce you to the delights of a traditional English tea.
Your tea will consist of a selection of delicious crusts-off sandwiches and home-made cakes, along with your choice of tea, coffee or hot chocolate. We can serve it in your room, in the dining room, or on the terrace if the weather permits.
To give you an idea of our sandwiches, which vary according to the season, some of the most popular are cucumber with cracked salt and black pepper, beef tomato and fresh basil, cream cheese and date, spring onion with mayo, and cheddar with chutney. You will not find any nasty little plastic sachets at The Lancers - your milk will be served in a proper jug and your sugar comes in a pot.
If you would like to enjoy an English tea and are staying for three nights or more, please request this offer when making your booking. We normally serve it on your arrival and it is available during the hours of 2-5pm.
Six nights for the price of five:
Even in the high season, you can get one night free if you pre-book quoting this offer. Email Gilly@TheLancers.co.uk now to check availability.
Testimonials for this Tunbridge Wells accommodation
"A real treat, so go on spoil and yourselves. My partner and I have just returned from our stay at the Lancers. All we can both say is what a delightful place. Others should take note, as this is how it should be done. What a breakfast - this is how you dine like a king. With an excellent host in Gilly. An idyllic oasis in the centre of a town. What a find, it is definitely well worth a visit." James and Elizabeth from Henley
"My partner and I stayed at the Lancers for two nights over our Wedding weekend, and found it to be the perfect location, character and quality that we were looking for. Gilly, our host, couldn't have provided a better service. The room we stayed in (the garden annexe) was beautiful, full of character and had many luxurious touches. The whole experience was perfect." Hege, Kent
"We couldn't imagine a more perfect setting to find out we are going to be parents!" Amy and Nik, IOW
"Dear Gilly, we are now back home and had to let you know how very much we enjoyed not only our stay at the very lovely Lancers, but also the kindness shown to us by you and Pam. The lovely accommodation showed that you care so very much about people and go out of your way to make the stay a really wonderful experience. Your lovely place was the best we stayed at on our whole trip. Kind regards - cannot thank you enough." George and Cheryl, Tasmania
"Lovely room, perfect breakfast and perfect hosts. Thank you." Martina and Thomas, Frankfurt.
"One of the best B&Bs we've ever known." Hildegard and Walter, Germany
"A very superior establishment. Thank you both for the friendly hospitality." Sheila and Mike, Victoria, Canada
"This is a superior B&B. Breakfast kept us going all day!" Colette and Andrew, Monmouth
"Wonderful hospitality, location, decor and food. A little oasis. Many thanks, thoroughly enjoyable." John and Wendy, Hersham, Surrey
"A lovely hideaway - brilliant hosts, fantastic accommodation." Tara and Glynn, Leicestershire
"Wonderful location and cats! Fab breakfasts. Beautiful terrace. Would stay again." Belinda and Andrew, Herts.
"Pam and Gilly are the perfect hosts, making our week in Tunbridge Wells really memorable. Thank you both." Neville T, Western Australia
"Exceptional stay - nothing too much trouble. Excellent!" Grace and Arthur L
"Can't fault this bed & breakfast!" Margaret S, Herefordshire
"Wonderful room, great breakfast and very friendly hosts. Would recommend this B&B to others." Debbie M
"Cosy, lovely room, lovely hosts. Extremely welcoming, lovely breakfast. Will definitely return to Tunbridge Wells and recommend." Andrew J, Nottingham
"This is our best B&B yet." Teresa A, London
"A unique delight!" Adrienne and Barry P, Hertfordshire
"Thank you for such a restful stay. Yummy food and a beautiful room. We must buy one of those mattresses!" Fiona and Matthew, London
"Beautiful den. Made to feel very welcome. Lovely breakfast. Love the fire. Will be back! Thank u." Vanessa and Ben, Dover.
"Thank you for a lovely stay. It was the perfect escape from London - beautiful and relaxing surroundings and helpful and friendly hosts!" Alisha and James, London.
"Very comfortable and relaxing. Room was excellent - love the decor! Hosts very welcoming and food great, especially the coffee! Very nice B&B." Garry and Debbie P
"A secret garden that charmed us both! Thanks to Pam and Gilly x." David and Helena
Travelling
"Power showers and Egyptian cotton sheets are no substitute for getting to know the local people and discovering how they think and live." Alastair Sawday, travel writer
On a beautiful summer's day, two English tourists were driving through Wales. At Llanfairpwllgwyn-gyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch they stopped for lunch, and one of the tourists asked the waitress, "Before we order, I wonder if you could settle an argument for us. Can you pronounce where we are, very, very, very slowly?" The girl leaned over and said, "Burr ... gurr ... king."
When staying at a Rothesay hotel, there were the usual toast and marmalade (in little round pots) on the breakfast table in the morning. When the landlady came into the room, the humourist Chic Murray lifted a tiny pot of honey and said "I see you keep a bee!"
I rang the bell of this small bed-and breakfast place, whereupon a lady appeared at an outside window. "What do you want?", she asked. "I want to stay here", I replied. "Well, stay there then", she said and closed the window. Chic Murray
A mini-bar is a machine that makes everything expensive. When I take something out of the mini-bar, I always fathom that I'll go and replace it before they check it off and charge me, but they make that stuff impossible to replace. I go to the store and ask, "Do you have coke in a glass harmonica? Do you have individually wrapped cashews?"
B&B links
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Swan Cottage
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Attractions:
Buckland Lane Reserve and Fishery
60 acre nature reserve, trout and mixed coarse fishery, PADI 5 star dive centre, Kent.
Getting Around:
Buses
(Arriva)
. The Lancers Bed & Breakfast is a short walk from bus stops, and the location to catch them is shown on the map.
Trains
(South Eastern Railways)
Trains go straight through to London Bridge, Waterloo, or London Charing Cross. In the other direction you can catch a train to Hastings from the Tunbridge Wells railway station (five minutes' walk from The Lancers).
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