Local Area - Bewl Rookery

Bewl Water nearby hayfields — A view of Bewl Water from footpath

Bewl Water reflections on lake — Bewl Water reservoir

Bewl Rookery B&B is perfectly situated between Wadhurst and Lamberhurst to provide you with a base for all your holiday activities in this beautiful part of the south east of England. You can walk from our back garden onto footpaths and bike routes that will allow you to explore the superb countryside of Kent and East Sussex. We are minutes away from Bewl Water, which offers watersports, fishing and other outdoor pursuits including a 12.5 mile path for walkers, runners and cyclists and is open all year round.

You can also walk during the day time from our back door to at least six pubs (from 1 – 12 miles away) all along country footpaths. We have detailed information of these walks in our Guest Information Book when you come and stay. Please note these are day walks and involve sometimes muddy footpaths!

National Trust properties, public gardens and historic sites are only a very short distance away including Scotney Castle, Pashley Manor, Bedgebury Pinetum, Batemans, Battle and Royal Tunbridge Wells for shopping, restaurants, bars and the pretty Pantiles.

Below are just a few of the wonderful places you can visit while touring this area of Kent and East Sussex.

Then when you come back from a busy day out exploring you can enjoy relaxing in our Garden Room or take a stroll around our meadow walk or have a chat with our Alpacas. Find out more about the Alpacas here.

Discover local places to Eat »

Gardens

Pashley Manor
One of the finest gardens in England. These beautiful gardens are open from April to September.
Scotney Castle Gardens
A 14th Century moated castle set in romantic gardens surrounded by lovely woodland estate
Great Dixter
The family home of gardener and gardening writer Christopher Lloyd – just stunning. Open April – October.
Sissinghurst Castle and Gardens
A 16th Century tower with the most famous 20th Century garden in England

Historic

Scotney Castle
Victorian mansion to explore along with the romantic 14th Century moated castle and stunning gardens
Bayham Abbey
Impressive 13th – 15th century ruins of a sandstone built church, chapter house and gate house.
Wadhurst Church
A fascinating and attractive 11th Century tower and 13/14th Century Parish Church. Notable for having more iron memorial slabs than any other Church in England. More information here.
Bodiam Castle
Medieval magnificence on a visit to this 14th century moated castle and ruined interior.
Battle Abbey and market town
We live in 1066 country! Visit the site of the battle, the Abbey built by William the Conqueror and the charming town.
Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells
Georgian colonnade walkway. Historic and now full of shops, bars and cafes.
Bateman’s
A 17th Century house that was home to Rudyard Kipling
Penshurst Place
14th Century Manor House and gardens
Hever Castle
Childhood home of Anne Boleyn set in magnificent gardens
Chartwell
The country home of Winston Churchill.

Local Sights

Scotney Castle – 2 miles

Lamberhurst – 2 miles

Wadhurst – 2 miles

Bewl Water –
By road – 2 miles
By footpath – 0.5 miles

Bayham Abbey – 3 miles

Tunbridge Wells – 7 miles

Bateman’s – 9 miles

Sissinghurst
Castle – 11 miles

Bodiam Castle – 12 miles

Battle – 16 miles

Great Dixter – 15 miles

Discover our local history »

Outdoor activities

Bewl Water
The southeast’s largest lake surrounded by beautiful Wealden Countryside offering walking, riding, cycling, fishing
Bedgebury Pinetum
A recreational and conservational arboretum with the largest collection of conifers in the world
Kent & Sussex Steam Railway
The UK’s finest example of a rural light railway. Take a trip back in time and enjoy lovely scenery.
Ashdown Forest and Pooh Sticks Bridge
Huge area for walking and a chance to visit the home of Winnie the Pooh

Vickyp310

2020-08-23

Wonderful afternoon My husband organised afternoon tea with alpacas as a surprise. It was the most wonderful afternoon. Mark was great, giving us a bit of background about the beautiful area and was very informative about the alpacas. Carol then produced the most gorgeous afternoon tea, all handmade. They both made us feel very welcome and meeting/feeding the alpacas was amazing. Can not praise them enough. I would recommend this place to anyone and will be visiting again.

Catherine D

2020-08-09

Alpaca afternoon tea We spend a lovely afternoon having tea and being entertained by the alpacas. Carol and her husbands were lovely hosts and I would highly recommend this place to anyone who loves afternoon tea, alpacas or both. We had the privilege of having the place to ourselves which made it even lovelier. Thanks so much

Samantha V

2020-08-07

Perfect Afternoon My boyfriend and I came down from London to East Sussex for a little holiday and booked the alpaca afternoon tea for something different to do. We had a fantastic time, and Carol and Mark had gone to so much effort to make this such a special experience. The weather did help however, I would have enjoyed this in the rain, as it was just the perfect afternoon of beautiful animals, delicious homemade food, the most picturesque surroundings and wonderful, welcoming hosts. Thank you Carol and Mark for a very memorable day (and for the yummy courgettes you sent us home with)! Sam and Jai :)

fatima k

2020-07-25

Cream tea with friends and alpaca's Carol and her husband were wonderful hosts on a rainy day! The alpaca's were lovely and friendly when we were invited to walk with them and feed them. The cream tea sandwiches and cakes were yummy! Home made bread and cakes. The best I have ever had. Also choice of tea. We were so full! The tent kept us dry but we went inside the building opposite to warm up plenty of room to stretch out! Our friend Ann had a snooze! Highly recommend the Bewel rookery! We will be back! On leaving we were given a bouquet of flowers each! Thanks Carol !

Bev140

Tea with the alpacas Just had the most fabulous afternoon having tea with the alpacas. Interesting and relaxed talk from Mark , friendly gentle alpacas, beautiful food and gorgeous surroundings. Lots of attention to detail from Mark and Carol made this thoroughly enjoyable. We will definitely return.

JP7491

2019-09-30

Top of the Class! We recently spent two nights at this fabulous B&B, set in beautiful countryside in East Sussex. What can I add to the previous reviews! Carol and Mark were the perfect hosts. We were offered tea and delicious cake on arrival, which we enjoyed in their lovely garden, before meeting the alpacas and feeding them! Our room was huge, and spotless, with the most comfortable bed, and with lots of little extras. Breakfast certainly didn’t disappoint, setting us up for the day, served in the garden room. Thank you for a lovely stay, and good luck with the beekeeping Mark! 😜

Gwen G

2019-09-14

Warm, inviting and cosy We stayed here for 3 nights while on a cycle tour of local gardens and couldn't recommend Bewl Rookery more highly. We felt like honoured guests and loved being shown around the gardens and polytunnel. Carol and Mark are great hosts, balancing warmth and welcome with just the right amount of chat. Mark kindly gave us a lift to and from a local pub for dinner (and arranged a lift home from another that we walked to). The shower was fantastic after a long day's riding and I loved the cosy bathrobe: a rare but very welcome touch in a B&B.

Dave C

5* Luxury! Only 2 night stay, wish it could have been more. Superb accomodation. Carol and Mark perfect hosts, masses of local information on walks etc. Breakfast wonderful 5*, very tasty bacon and sausages and homemade bread and jams. Lovely homemade fudge in room too! Didnt get to speak to the allpacas but did see them from breakfast table. Very quiet rooms and lovely large shower room (Willow Room). We will be back soon on a return trip!!!!

Grichielovesfood

2019-08-08

Delightful B&B, stunning setting best breakfast ever!!! We stayed with Carol and Mark for 3 nights while attending a friends wedding. Carol was such a fabulous host, she went above and beyond to make a stay comfortable (AND EVEN TO DELIVERY OF SUITS!) Our rooms were beautiful and luxurious, the grounds were stunning, they have alpacas! Every morning we woke to the most delicious breakfasts, we were certainly impressed - the bircher muesli, eggs any way, just so many options!

gerifc

2019-07-14

a luxurious oasis of calm We stayed here a couple of years ago and, had such a lovely stay, we promised ourselves we'd return. So glad we did! This time, we stayed in the Oak Room and the bed was so comfortable with luxurious bed linen, fabulous bathroom with power shower and locally produced toiletries that were just gorgeous. Breakfast was perfect and included freshly baked bread and freshly laid eggs! Escaping from London for a weekend to sit in the garden and have the opportunity to get up close to the herd of alpacas is just extremely special. Carol & Mark give a wonderful welcome and make their home your home. We'll be back!