Tonbridge Castle Offers Two-for-One Entry to Borough Residents This September

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is running a month-long campaign encouraging residents to rediscover Tonbridge Castle, offering a two-for-one deal throughout September. Anyone living in the borough can bring a friend or family member for free, so long as they can show proof of address – ideally a driving licence, or a council tax bill alongside photo ID.

The offer is designed to tackle a familiar problem for local landmarks: people who live nearby often overlook the very attractions on their doorstep. Cabinet Member for Community Services, Des Keers, who is fronting the initiative, put it plainly: "I think because Tonbridge Castle has been around for so long local people almost forget that it is there!" He noted that some local families will travel further afield for a day out while not considering a visit to their own historic castle.

Keers said the aim of the campaign was twofold – to give something back to residents while also encouraging them to help spread the word. "I really hope that our residents will take advantage of the offer and persuade other friends and family to visit," he said.

For those who haven't been, or haven't been in a while, Tonbridge Castle sits just off the town's high street and offers an audio-guided tour through its medieval history, with a children's version and an activity book available to help younger visitors engage with the site's past as kings and lords once ruled from it.

The offer works on the cheaper ticket in a pair being free – for example, if an adult brings a child, the child goes free. Bookings must be made in person on the day; the deal is not available online. The castle's September opening hours are Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4.30pm, and weekends and bank holidays 10am-6pm, with hours reducing to 10am-4pm once winter opening begins. Source: Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council