The first Settlers

Thousands of years ago, Tonbridge was in the middle of a huge forest. There was no high street, no shops, no houses and no castle. In fact, the Tonbridge we know today did not exist at all!

How did Tonbridge begin?

The first people to live in Tonbridge fed themselves by hunting wild animals and gathering plants that were safe to eat. These people were called Hunter Gatherers. They were nomadic – they moved around a lot and didn’t stay in one place. 

Archaeological Evidence

Evidence has been found that these early people lived here from a number of stone tools dug up in Martin's Field, Tonbridge. A palaeolithic Acheulian hand-axe was also dug up in Woodside Road, Tonbridge in the late 1950s.

Acheulian hand-axe

Farming introduced

Four thousand years ago farming was introduced to Britain. The first farmers began to stay (settle) in one place for several years.

Tonbridge through the Ages

The following pages look at and answer the following questions:

When was this area first settled?

Why did a settlement grow here?

How do we know?

What is the town like today?