All Aboard Rudolph’s Runner!
Something magical is arriving in Royal Tunbridge Wells this festive season — Rudolph’s Runner, a delightful Christmas-themed road train that’s set to bring smiles, sparkle, and a touch of reindeer mischief to families and visitors alike!
Running from 16th November to 24th December, this special train will be touring the town daily between 10am and 4pm on selected dates (see below). Dressed up as none other than Rudolph himself — bright red nose and all — the train offers a 40-minute festive journey from one end of Tunbridge Wells to the other, with four convenient stops so passengers can hop on and off as they explore.
As Rudolph’s Runner makes its merry way past some of the town’s favourite seasonal sights — including the Pantiles Christmas Markets and the Ice Rink in Calverley Grounds — it will also pass through The Grove Park, where Friends of The Grove are delighted to welcome this cheerful visitor! Families can enjoy the park’s winter charm as the train jingles by, adding even more festive cheer to this beautiful green space in the heart of town.
On board, riders can enjoy a charming festive commentary from Rudolph himself, sharing fun facts about the town’s Christmas attractions — and even giving clues about where his fellow reindeer might be hiding! Children will love ticking them off their free activity sheet as they spot them throughout the journey.
Whether you’re local or visiting for the day, Rudolph’s Runner promises to be a joyful way to see Royal Tunbridge Wells dressed in its Christmas best. So wrap up warm, grab a hot chocolate, and hop aboard for a magical ride through twinkling lights and festive fun.
Dates Running:
November – Sun 16th, Sat 22nd, Sun 23rd, Sat 29th, Sun 30th
December – Sat 6th, Sun 7th, Sat 13th, Sun 14th, Sat 20th, Sun 21st, Mon 22nd, Tue 23rd, Wed 24th
Friends of The Grove look forward to seeing Rudolph — and you! — passing through The Grove this Christmas.
Just behind the Tunbridge Wells High Street,
The Grove park spans two hectares of interweaving pathways, verdant grass, towering trees, colourful flowers, vibrant plants, birds, squirrels and more!
The Grove is a special place: the heart of a warm and welcoming community, an oasis of tranquility and beauty, and a destination for young and old. The Grove has one of the most popular children’s playgrounds in Tunbridge Wells, and is a central crossing point for locals going about town. It is also a great spot for some exercise!
Friends of The Grove, or "FOG" for short, is a local community group that seeks to keep The Grove a special place all year-round for its visitors. We hold several fun and free annual events for the community, plant flowers and trees, maintain the beds and pathways and work hard to improve the park’s amenities for all. Please find out more and come and join us!
Spring and
Autumn
Planting
Every spring and autumn, Friends of The Grove roll up their sleeves to keep The Grove Park looking beautiful – and we’d love for you to join us! Our seasonal planting events bring the community together to brighten the park and have some fun along the way.
In spring, we plant a stunning variety of bulbs — tulips, daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths and more — promising a burst of colour when the warmer months arrive. In autumn, we tackle the important work of weeding, sweeping up fallen leaves, and maintaining the paths to keep the park tidy and welcoming.
The results? A park bursting with beautiful blooms in spring and summer and a well-kept, inviting space all year round. It’s a true community effort — and it wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers!
Every year, local residents — children and adults — come along to help. No experience? No problem! We provide all the tools (and plenty of refreshments to keep you going). It’s a fun, friendly couple of days where you can meet your neighbours and make a real difference.
Whether you’re a gardening pro or just curious to get involved, we’d love to see you at our next planting event!
Easter Event
11 am - 1 pm
Easter Sunday
5 April 2026
Get ready to hop into a day of fun at The Grove Park in Tunbridge Wells! The Friends of The Grove are delighted to invite you and your family to our annual Easter celebration — a free, fun-packed morning filled with games and community cheer. Mark your calendars for this event, running from 11 am to 1 pm, where children and families can have fun and enjoy a slice of local life!
There will be a cracking Easter egg hunt with prizes galore, and an array of fun, large-sized games that will have everyone grinning from ear to ear. Test your skills with a spirited bean bag toss, show off your accuracy in the tin can alley, or aim for glory at the ring toss. And don’t miss out on our colourful coconut shy — see if you can get them all!
This event is all about bringing our wonderful community together in a celebration of spring, family, and fun. Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to the neighbourhood, this morning is the perfect opportunity to make new friends, catch up with old ones, and revel in the vibrant energy that makes Tunbridge Wells so special.
So, grab your picnic blankets, pack a smile, and join us at The Grove Park for a morning of light-hearted entertainment and community spirit!
Get ready to get spooked on Halloween this November at The Grove!
Once again, Friends of The Grove will transform The Grove into a glowing playground of ghoulish fun. From 5 to 7 pm, children and families are invited to join our free, frightfully entertaining event—perfect whether you’re gearing up for trick-or-treating or winding down after your candy-filled capers.
The event is completely free and packed with oversized, glow-in-the-dark, Halloween-themed games that are sure to send shivers down your spine! Test your aim with our bean bag throw and ring toss, Pin the Tail on the Werewolf, and for the extra-brave souls, try our “Put Your Hands in the Scary Boxes” challenge. Our ever-popular “Hunt the Fluorescent Rocks” will make a reappearance and is perfect for little monsters and mini witches and warlocks looking for treasure and prizes amid the twilight. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more fun, we’ve added a LED-lit coconut shy that’s sure to light up your night and your Instagram feed!
So, gather your little ghouls and join us for a frightfully good time full of glow-in-the-dark games, scary props and community fun!
Halloween @ The Grove
5 pm - 7 pm
31 October 2026
Autumn Planting Event
10 am - 12 pm
Date TBC November 2026
Please join us for our 2026 Autumn Planting Event!
We will provide more details nearer to the time.
No registration or experience required! Just bring a trowel or spade if you have them handy, and turn up on the day and get stuck in. We'll have refreshments and lots of team spirit on hand!
Claremont Primary School’s Annual Planting Day!
Each year, Friends of The Grove teams up with Claremont Primary School for their much-loved Annual Planting Day, where the youngest students get their hands dirty and learn all about flowers, plants and planting!
It all starts in the classroom, where the children carefully cultivate flowers and plants from seeds, watching in awe as they sprout and grow. Then comes the big day—when those seedlings find their new home in the flower beds of The Grove! With the help of volunteers from Friends of The Grove, the children are taught how to plant the seedlings so they can see them transform into blooming beauties.
But the fun doesn’t stop at planting! The volunteers run exciting activities to help the kids discover the wonders of nature, from learning about the life cycle of plants to exploring the wildlife that calls The Grove their home. It’s a hands-on, muddy-boot kind of day, and the children absolutely love it!
For Friends of The Grove, this event is a big highlight: seeing the young gardeners connect with nature and take pride in their planted flowers is what makes it all worthwhile. And as the flowers bloom, so does a love for the environment—one seedling at a time.
So, next time you stroll through The Grove, take a moment to admire the flowers. They’re not just plants—they’re the product of little green thumbs and a whole lot of community spirit!
Friends of The Grove relies on every donation to keep The Grove a beautiful and thriving place. Operating on an annual budget of only about £1,000, every contribution — big or small — goes directly toward buying plants, bulbs, and essential supplies for community events, including prizes and games. This modest budget is managed with care, ensuring that your donation makes a real impact on the park’s upkeep and the enjoyment of all who visit.
Your support not only enhances the visual appeal of the park but also strengthens community bonds by creating a welcoming, vibrant space for everyone. Whether you choose to make a one-off donation or set up a monthly contribution, every penny is accounted for, and our dedicated volunteers receive no financial benefits. Join us in making a difference—your generosity helps maintain a cherished community gem for years to come.
How can I donate? Supporters can send a one-off donation to FOG's bank account details below, or else set up a standing order. We have a small number of supporters who give us approximately 5 pounds a month. This makes a huge difference, and allows us to keep holding events and supporting the community.
Bank details:
Friends of The Grove
A/c number: 47330368
Sort code: 30-98-77
Support Us!
- Chairperson: Clare MacAdie
- Plant Whisperer: Dominic Hall
- Money Magician: Jon Griffin
- Superstar: James MacAdie
- Social Butterfly: Alba Bolea
- Heart & Soul Members: Joanna, Onil, Jonathan, Jon, Chris, Tim, Simon
Meet the Team
Our community group serves the community and welcomes new committee members. Please get in touch if you'd like to join us!
The committee can be contacted at
The Grove: A Peaceful Escape in the Heart of Tunbridge Wells
Nestled in the charming Mount Sion area, The Grove has been a leafy retreat for over 300 years! Originally designed in 1703 as a shaded haven for visitors to the nearby spa, it has evolved through the centuries, witnessing everything from Victorian elegance to wartime resilience.
During the late 19th century, The Grove saw several improvements, but World War II changed its landscape. The military requisitioned its railings and gates, and sadly, they were never replaced—along with the once-grand Victorian bandstand. Despite these losses, The Grove remained a beloved green space.
In Victorian times, it was poetically described as a place of “umbrageous shade” (fancy talk for cool and leafy). While time has thinned out the original oaks, a mix of exotic trees was planted after the 1987 storm to restore its lush beauty.
A Scenic Spot with Historic Charm
Perched on high ground, The Grove offers stunning westward views over Tunbridge Wells and the Common. Just a short walk from the High Street, this 1.8-hectare park is surrounded by historic 18th- and 19th-century homes, adding to its timeless charm.
There are ten entrances, but the grandest is at Birdcage Walk, where you’ll pass under elegant 19th-century stuccoed arches with impressive Doric columns. Another fun detail? The entrance near Claremont Road sits on the site of a World War II air-raid shelter!
What’s to see?
The Grove is a mix of grassy meadows and towering birch, oak, and beech trees—some dating back to the 1800s! The park is crisscrossed by tree-lined paths, including a wide, lamp-lit walkway stretching 150m from the main entrance. A winding perimeter path (450m in total) makes for a lovely stroll, with benches along the way to take in the scenery.
At the heart of The Grove, a children’s playground now sits where the old bandstand once stood—a lively nod to its long history as a place for leisure and enjoyment.
With its woodland charm, scenic paths, and peaceful atmosphere, The Grove remains a cherished retreat for both locals and visitors. Whether you’re after a quiet moment, a picturesque walk, or a bit of history, this green oasis is well worth a visit!