Groombridge
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Groombridge is a village of about 1600 people, which straddles the border of Kent and East Sussex. The nearest large town is Tunbridge Wells, which lies about 4.5 miles away by road.
The main part of the village ("New Groombridge") lies in the Withyham civil parish, which forms part of Wealden District of East Sussex. Across the county boundary lies the much smaller and older part of the village ("Old Groombridge"). This is within the Speldhurst civil parish, which forms part of the Tunbridge Wells Borough of Kent, England.
New Groombridge has a primary school associated with the church of St Thomas, part of the Diocese of Chichester. It has a general store, a bakers, a post office, a hairdresser's, a car dealership and the Junction Inn (Public house).
Old Groombridge has the church of St John, part of the Diocese of Rochester. It has the Crown Inn (public house), but no shops.
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[edit] History
Groombridge Place is a popular visitor attraction, it boasts a impressive 700 year history, beginning in 1239. Groombridge Place has been owned by some of Kent's most distinguished families, including the de Cobhams and Sir Richard Waller.
[edit] Railway
Groombridge station is located on the east side of Station Road. It was operated by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, then Southern, later British Rail. The station was finally closed on July 8, 1985
The station stood on the Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells Central line, other stations included; Three Bridges, Rowfant, Grange Road, East Grinstead, Forest Row, Withyham, High Rocks, Tunbridge Wells West and Tunbridge Wells Central.
The current Groombridge railway station is on the Spa Valley Railway and is currently the southern terminus of the line. A joint ticket for the railway and Groombridge Place is also available. A canopy has been erected on one side of the station, using the former canopy supports from Gravesend West station. Future plans include the construction of a brand new signal box on the site and installation of signalling for the extension to Eridge.
[edit] Trivia
In the PC & 3DO space adventure game Star Control 2, Groombridge[1] is a star where there was supposed to be an easter egg encounter with the game's creators, Paul Reiche III and Fred Ford. The feature got scrapped due to Accolade's wish that the game was finished earlier. However, the art still remained. See [2]
[edit] External links
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