Our Park is a hidden gem in the heart of Tunbridge Wells. The town's oldest public park, it was originally designed by renowned Victorian landscape architect Robert Marnock in 1889. Since then, it has grown, developed and flourished to become a great place to relax, play and enjoy nature.

FoGH was set up in 2011. Our key focus is to enhance the quality of life for our community; raise awareness of ecology; and encourage the local community to take an interest in the conservation of the Park. Our work takes many forms, from family events, talks, walks and gardening, to ecological projects, such as rewilding the orchard.

Our Park has several access points. Use the postcode TN1 2HU to get to the entrance in Auckland Road. For the Hilbert Road entrance, near the Oast House, use TN2 3SF. All parking for the Park is on residential streets, there is no car park.

Click here to collapse the report.

Extensive works transformed the children's playground and the Marnock Lake area was restored and refurbished. The tired bowls pavilion was extended to become the Hub and indoor cafe. The Rochdale Road entrance was reopened, and the Upper Grosvenor Road entrance improved. A wetland area was created, with specimen trees planted in partnership with Bedgebury Pinetum. FoGH took the lead to develop the Community Orchard, with trees sponsored by the local community. Before and after photos are in the Summer 2016 newsletter archive on the FoGH website.

Over the years we've delivered numerous events, often themed around the wildlife and nature in the Park. These included 7 Family Fetes, with the last one in 2019, when we concluded these are too labour-intensive for our small group to run. If anyone would like to take up the baton to organise another large-scale event like this, we gladly would lend our support and advice.

One of the FoGH aims was to enhance the Park, so we arranged to install the water bottle refill station by the Auckland Road entrance and paid for the defibrillator at the Hub. We worked with Kent High Weald Partnership to extend the boardwalk towards the Redleaf Close entrance. The FoGH committee are currently working with the TWBC Parks Team to replace the faded playground graphics and install new interpretation boards, with more information on the Park's history and wildlife. Watch this space!

Finally, I'm aware that Park users are disappointed by the closure of the Beaver Bridge by Folly Shaw. The TWBC Parks Team have advised that the structure needs to be completely replaced, ideally with steel supports to prevent future rot. This is an expensive project, and they are working to secure funding.

To report an incident in Grosvenor and Hilbert Park to Kent Police:

• Emergency: dial 999
• Non-emergency: dial 101

Other contacts

• Council Parks Department: 01892 554031

To hire The Hub please contact the council to check for availability and instructions by sending an email to parksteam [at] tunbridgewells.gov.uk or by phoning 01892 554031

• Friends of Grosvenor & Hilbert Park: chair [at] fogh.org.uk

Please note there is a defibrillator at the Hub, if needed phone 999 to get the access code and assistance when using it.

The are two ways you can get involved with the park.

Join the Friends

We are a volunteer-run group that relies on donations from events and membership fees. By signing up and joining the Friends you will help fund our work and put on community events in the park.

Follow the link and sign-up on line.

Volunteer

Alternatively or additionally you might like to volunteer to undertake tasks around the park. We regularly hold weeding and planting event and there's always litter picking.

Simply sign up to our volunteer newsletter and we will tell you when something suitable is planned.