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Nostalgic memories of Tonbridge's local history

Share your own memories of Tonbridge and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

Add a Memory!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Add Your Memory for Tonbridge

Displaying Memories 11 - 20 of 26 in total

Shoe Shop
I remember that shoe shop it was just opposite the chequers pub and I went there as a child. I think that it was the Carlton Cafe before it was a show shop where my mum had her wedding reception.
Tonbridge, Town Bridge c1960
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Added 28 February 2014

Crystalate Cottages, Golden Green, Hadlow

Hi, can anyone help? My mum was born at 1 Crystalate Cottages, Golden Green, Hadlow, Kent. Do they still exist or were they knocked down?
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Added 25 January 2014

The Angel
I was about 13 or 14 and was deeply in love with the daughter of the pub. They had a table tennis room behind the pub, very narrow and small. I was terrible at tennis so I used to keep score on a small notepad. One time my pencil broke so I went to the small bar to get a sheath knife to sharpen it with, on my way back, squeezing by the table, I fell and the girls shouted come on get up, they turned me over only to see ...see more
Tonbridge, High Street c1960
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Added 10 November 2012

Remember Very Well
My mother was housekeeper to one of the Masters at Tonbridge School, and we were honoured to be guests at the opening..
Tonbridge, School 1951
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Added 15 September 2012

Shoe Shop
I am sure the shop running down the side of the river was a shoe shop and that they had a big rocking horse that I used to love to ride, but when going in I used to look down at the river and my legs would go weak, I still get strange dreams about it today and I am 60.
Tonbridge, Town Bridge c1960
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Added 23 October 2011

146a High Street
I used to live at this address and went to Brionne Gardens Girls School (now Hillview). I loved living here, the estate agents we lived over is still there, I know this as I went back for a visit with my son in 2008 after 40 odd years. We went to Tinkers Island where I used to play racing round playing ticky it, also went to Powder Mills where we used to swing over this stream, both places look like no one plays ...see more
Tonbridge, High Street c1960
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Added 15 July 2011

Nursing Home Ridgeway Tonbridge Kent
Can anyone help? I remember visiting my great aunt in the nursing home in Yardley Park near the Ridgeway, Tonbridge, Kent when I was about 8 years old. She died in 1971. Can anyone remember what it was called? Many thanks, Heather.
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Added 30 July 2010

Mabledon & Nightingale Farms
Saw your Memory with interest. I have done two others on the site - people will think "He's vain", but hardly anyone else seems to have bothered. I can remember the smell of hops drying here in the 1950/60s. I was born in 1950 but my father had lived since 1933 at 'Cartref' (which is Welsh for home). It's now called 'Hightrees' for some unknown reason. It is one of the houses on the main road, just up ...see more
Tonbridge, Quarry Hill 1890
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Added 14 May 2009

The Castle Lawn
I have a clearer copy of this photo in the book on Sevenoaks and Tonbridge and have studied it with a magnifying glass. I was one year old in 1951 (and according to my parents, already walking at 9 months). The posture of the man beside the child (me), leads me to believe that it is my late father Reginald Warrener, Dental Surgeon of 50 High Street, Tonbridge. The dog would appear to be our Labrador, at the time, ...see more
Tonbridge, the Castle 1951
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Added 31 October 2008

50 High Street
Although not so far back as 1890 I remember often being in the room with the large casement windows on the left hand side, in the 1950s and 60s. This was my father's office at his dental practice at 50 High Street. The surgery itself was at the rear, being quieter. The separate entrance has now gone and is incorporated within the shops below. This room had a large window seat overlooking the High Street below. As ...see more
Tonbridge, High Street 1890
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Added 31 October 2008