Georgian on our minds: We spend a night at the historic Mount Edgcumbe

Nestled on the edge of Tunbridge Wells Common, Mount Edgcumbe is the perfect spot to eat, sleep and explore the surrounding area of outstanding natural beauty, writes

Richard Williams

Blink and you can quite easily miss the entrance to Mount Edgcumbe on Mount Ephraim in Tunbridge Wells, which would be an incredible shame as it one of the town’s best kept secrets.

The Grade II listed family-run hotel, restaurant and bar that even boasts its own cave, sits nestled in Tunbridge Wells Common.

Surrounded by greenery and the distinctive sandstone rocks that make this area of the High Weald such a draw for visitors, you can easily forget you are just a five-minute walk away from Tunbridge Wells town centre and the vibrancy of places such as The Pantiles.

SLEEP

This charming bijou hotel – technically a bed & breakfast due to it not having 24-hour service – is an absolute Georgian gem.

The rooms match the standards of the town’s other top accommodation, being beautifully presented, clean, spacious, with every amenity the modern traveller expects, including air conditioning, TV, power shower— and in the room we stayed in—an ornamental bath that looks out over the idyllic scenery.

Yet, the distinctive touches, ranging from the quirky animal-themed objects d’art to the choice of décor, adds a character and charm that is all too often lacking in even the best establishments, and is only made possible by it being a family-run affair.

You would also be hard-pressed to find a friendlier and warmer team. Headed up by general manager Valentin Ostafi, the staff seem to take great efforts and pride in ensuring your stay is as relaxing as possible.

EAT AND DRINK

This warmth and uniqueness extend to the restaurant too.

Boasting its very own cave – the perfect place to relax with an aperitif before dinner – and outdoor area that has unrivalled views of the Common, the Mount Edgcumbe restaurant could be forgiven if it were pretentious, but nothing could be further from the truth – it is a wonderfully relaxed and welcoming dining experience.

When we dined there guests were as varied as the menu, with families, young couples and more mature guests all enjoying the friendly atmosphere.

While the bar is small, it is well stocked, and there’s a good selection of wines to accompany everything on the menu.

The food on offer includes some of the UK’s best ingredients that head chef Lukasz combines with European flavours to provide a distinctive twist, and there is something for everybody, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, as well as a kids’ menu.

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It is not expensive either with favourites such as rib-eye steak [10 oz £23.95] and Harvey’s beer battered cod [£14.95] competitively priced with other restaurants in the area.

The Edgcumbe platters [£13.50£15.95] include seafood, charcuterie and vegetarian choices and are ideal to share with friends, and there’s plenty of nibbles on offer if you just want some light bites to accompany a few drinks.

For those wanting the full dining experience, the Shetland mussels [small £7.95, large £14.95] are highly recommended and come in a variety of sauces. They provide and a wonderfully light and fresh way to whet the appetite, but the stand-out starter of choice on the Mount Edgcumbe menu when we visited was the chilli salted squid [£8.50].

The coated pieces of fresh squid have a gentle heat and subtle crispness. The dish is a wonderfully unique and tasty way of presenting this seafood ingredient that can all too often be unimaginatively deep fired as calamari rings.

The mains are just as wide-ranging and well-presented. The Edgcumbe beef burger [£15.95] enjoyed by my dinner guest was a great towering feast that is sure to fill even the heartiest of appetites.

However, if you want an example of how fresh and local ingredients should be presented, try the lamp rump served with sautéed potatoes, peas, edamame beans, courgettes and feta [£18.95]; it was an absolute delight. Neither the meat nor vegetables are cooked for a second more than they need to be, and the result is a very simple but incredibly fresh and vibrant plate of food that will have you savouring every mouthful.

If you still have room for pudding, there’s plenty of choice from vegan Eton mess [£6.95] to the belt busting rhubarb and apple crumble [£6.95] and banoffee pie [£6.50].

EXPLORE

Mount Edgcumbe’s strength really lies in its unique location. It manages to offer the best of both worlds, providing a quiet, tranquil retreat for those wanting to explore the Common and surrounding Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, yet is a just short stroll away from Tunbridge Wells’ iconic Pantiles and other bars, restaurants and visitor attractions of the town centre.

Whether you want a quick drink to get away from the hustle and bustle of the day, a romantic break, somewhere relaxed for Sunday lunch [£12.75£15.50], or need a base to explore the High Weald, Mount Edgcumbe offers it all.

With its friendly, warm and family atmosphere, this charming hotel and restaurant, hidden in its leafy surroundings, provides a wonderful break for locals and visitors alike.

[A night stay at Mount Edgcumbe varies from £90-£150 a night depending on room, dates and availability. www.themountedgcumbe.com. Menu items are subject to change depending on season.]