The High Rocks, Tunbridge Wells

I just returned from a visit to the High Rocks and decided to go on the internet to see what people have said about it. I saw it on a wedding site and decided to pop round unannounced to look at the place with my fiancee. We didn't want them to expect us and perhaps put on a show. I have to say I am surprised by what I have read above as it completely goes against the experience I had. Despite being extremely busy hosting what seemed to be three weddings, the clearly very busy manager made the effort to show me around and discuss the possibility of hosting our wedding. We felt quite guilty not having made an appointment but he put us at ease and made us coffee. The venue itself was great. Nothing we have looked at before compares with it. After our tour, he suggested having a meal in the pub and a look around the Rocks themselves. So we went to the pub and had a very nice and I believe reasonably well priced food served by friendly staff who all seem to be great characters making the place even more unique and interesting. I think they are mostly Italian and clearly hard working. My one criticism would be that the pub itself is quite small and as it was raining we couldn't sit outside on the very large patio. Anyway, we then went over to the Rocks monument which was very interesting also. To be fair, I don't think charging people to go round the Rocks is unreasonable at all. I am in insurance and know that as it is privately owned, the premium would be very high for something that potentially hazardous. They were doing quite a lot of gardening work there as well, and that can't be cheap. I overheard some people saying they had snuck in without paying which is pretty bad considering its privately owned and if they so desired, the owners could shut it off completely. Anyway, so we have put a deposit down for our wedding next year and look forward to returning!

14 Aug 2010 15:55