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Location notes
The station is on the main line from London to the Kent Coast and at the junction of the Tunbridge Wells and Hastings line and also the line from Redhill via. Godstone, and is approximately half-way from London and Dover.
A permanent way depot has been opened to the east of the station. It can easily be viewed from the station car park.
A permanent way depot has been opened to the east of the station. It can easily be viewed from the station car park.
Railway type and traffic
Frequent 375s and 465s, with an hourly 377 from Horsham, the occasional Channel Tunnel freight.
Environment
The station is situated at one end of the High Street in a residential area. It is probably best not to leave station after dark as the area is not the nicest you will see in Kent. Perfectly fine during daylight. A nice miniature steam railway with former SR van in the large park.
Road directions
From the M25, Junction 5:
Take the A21 towards Hastings, then follow the B1016 to the station.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Tonbridge map co-ordinates
Take the A21 towards Hastings, then follow the B1016 to the station.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Tonbridge map co-ordinates
Parking
The station has a large car park, although it is restricted in size on Saturday due to a market. All car parks in Tonbridge within easy reach of station and all are Pay and Display. There are also a limted number of short stay (20minute) spaces in the area.
Cars can also be parked in the nearby Sainsburys but this is a council owned car park and traffic wardens are very prevalent.
Cars can also be parked in the nearby Sainsburys but this is a council owned car park and traffic wardens are very prevalent.
Public transport
Regular trains from Charing Cross, Victoria, London Bridge, Ashford, Dover, Hastings, Redhill and Gatwick Airport.
Most local buses, Arriva, stop outside the station.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Most local buses, Arriva, stop outside the station.
Click here to set up your location for directions to this location
Amenities
Toilets and a cafe on the station. Some shops can be found in the high street, simply exit the station and turn left.
Accommodation
There are a couple of Travelodges located in the area, and hotels in Tonbridge and Ashford.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Tonbridge
Streetmap links
Tonbridge general view map
Tonbridge close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Tonbridge
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Tonbridge
Googly map
Tonbridge general view map
Tonbridge close up map
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Tonbridge
Who likes this location on facebook
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Light good for trains to London after the early morning sun has risen a bit (so not early morning that way). Late evening not recommended for down trains as the sun is low and behind the trains. Can shoot in both directions, if you use the bridge imaginatively!
General views - All photographs © Christopher Ward unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking west
A down train showing the curve into the station.
Fig 2 - Looking east
A Hastings bound train, with Ashford line in the background, through the bridge.
Fig 3 - Looking east
A down train heads into the station platforms.
Fig 4 - Looking east - Image © Jason Rodhouse
This is the view from Railway approach, just outside the station.
Fig 5 - Looking east - Image © Jason Rodhouse
Fig 6 - Looking east - Image © Jason Rodhouse
Fig 7 - Looking west - Image © Victoria Rodhouse
To get to this spot, leave the station, and cross the road. Walk to the right, and take the first road down to the left. Walk straight past the adult shop, and you will notice a car-park to your left where you will be able to obtain shots from the fence line. There is a lane between the car-park and the railway, but there are signs up which prohibit parking here. Steps may be beneficial as is evident in the photos.
Fig 8 - Looking north - Image © Victoria Rodhouse
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavour to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass on either railway or private land. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window. Trainspots has been running now for over 10 years and there are imitation sites and guides to railfotspots. But we are a free site and we continue on the path we started out on over a decade ago to provide a useful guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
