View source for Tonbridge and Malling

{{about|the district|the former constituency|Tonbridge and Malling (UK Parliament constituency)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2015}}
{{Coord|51.283|0.350|display=title|region:GB_scale:100000}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See {{Infobox settlement}} for the full list of available fields -->
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| timezone                = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| utc_offset              = 0
| timezone_DST            = [[British Summer Time|BST]]
| utc_offset_DST          = +1

<!-- Elements common to administrative division of this type (English two-tier district) -->
| settlement_type         = [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|Borough]] and [[non-metropolitan district]]
| subdivision_type        = [[List of sovereign states|Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_type1       = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Constituent country]]
| subdivision_type2       = [[Regions of England|Region]]
| subdivision_type3       = [[Non-metropolitan county]]
| subdivision_type4       = Status
| subdivision_type5       = Admin HQ
| subdivision_name        = United Kingdom
| subdivision_name1       = England
| subdivision_name4       = [[Non-metropolitan district]]
| government_type         = Non-metropolitan district council
| leader_title            = Leadership
| leader_title1           = [[List of MPs elected in the 2010 United Kingdom general election|MPs]]
| established_title1      = Incorporated
| population_density_km2  = auto
| blank1_name             = [[ONS coding system|ONS code]]
| blank2_name             = [[Ordnance Survey National Grid|OS grid reference]]

<!-- Elements unique to this article -->
| official_name           = Tonbridge and Malling
| image_skyline           = Tonbridge Castle - geograph.org.uk - 2604456.jpg
| imagesize               = 280px
| image_alt               = 
| image_caption           = [[Tonbridge Castle]]
| image_shield            =
| shield_size             = 
| shield_alt              = 
| shield_link             = 
| image_map               = Tonbridge and Malling UK locator map.svg
| mapsize                 = 150px
| map_alt                 = 
| map_caption             = Tonbridge and Malling shown within Kent
| subdivision_name2       = [[South East England]]
| subdivision_name3       = [[Kent]]
| subdivision_name5       = [[West Malling]]
| established_date1       = 1 April 1974
| governing_body          = Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council
| leader_name1            = [[Tris Osborne]]<br />[[Tom Tugendhat]]
| area_total_km2          = 240.13
| area_rank               = {{English district area rank|GSS=E07000115}} [[List of English districts by area|(of {{English district total}})]]
| population_total        = {{English district population|GSS=E07000115}}
| population_as_of        = {{English statistics year}}
| population_rank         = {{English district rank|GSS=E07000115}} [[List of English districts by population|(of {{English district total}})]]
 <!-- demographics (section 1) -->
| demographics_type1      = Ethnicity <span style="font-weight:normal;">([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021]])</span>
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis">{{NOMIS2021|id=E07000115|title=Tonbridge and Malling Local Authority|access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1    = [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|Ethnic groups]]
| demographics1_info1     =
 {{Collapsible list
 | 93.3% [[White people in the United Kingdom|White]]
 | 2.9% [[British Asians|Asian]]
 | 2.2% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]]
 | 1% [[Black British people|Black]]
 | 0.6% [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|other]]
 }}
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->
| demographics_type2      = Religion <span style="font-weight:normal;">(2021)</span>
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis"/>
| demographics2_title1    = [[Religion in England|Religion]]
| demographics2_info1     = 
 {{Collapsible list
 | 48.7% [[Religion in England#Christianity|Christianity]]
 | 42.8% [[Irreligion in the United Kingdom|no religion]]
 | 5.6% not stated
 | 1% [[Islam in England|Islam]]
 | 0.9% [[Hinduism in England|Hinduism]]
 | 0.4% [[Religion in England|other]]
 | 0.3% [[Buddhism in England|Buddhism]]
 | 0.2% [[Sikhism in England|Sikhism]]
 | 0.1% [[History of the Jews in England|Judaism]]
 }} 
| blank1_info             = 29UP (ONS)<br />E07000115 (GSS)
| blank2_info             = {{gbmappingsmall|TQ6386756441}}
}}

'''Tonbridge and Malling''' is a [[Non-metropolitan district|local government district]] with [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|borough]] status in [[Kent]], England. The council is based at [[Kings Hill]]. The borough also includes the towns of [[Tonbridge]] and [[Snodland]] along with numerous villages including [[Aylesford]], [[West Malling]] and surrounding rural areas.

The neighbouring districts are [[Borough of Maidstone|Maidstone]], [[Borough of Tunbridge Wells|Tunbridge Wells]], [[Sevenoaks District|Sevenoaks]], [[Gravesham]] and [[Medway]].

==Geography==
Tonbridge and Malling Borough covers an area from the North Downs at [[Burham]] and [[Snodland]] in the north to the town of [[Tonbridge]] in the south. The [[River Medway]] [[meander]]s north-east through the borough towards the [[Medway Gap]], having in the west of the area received the [[River Eden, Kent|River Eden]]. The [[Eden Valley Walk]] is also mostly in this borough.

==History==
===Ancient times===
The area has been occupied for thousands of years. The [[Neolithic]] people left behind much evidence: megaliths such as [[Kit's Coty House]] at [[Aylesford]] and the [[Coldrum Stones]] at [[Trottiscliffe]]; and the [[Long barrows]] at [[Addington, Kent|Addington]] being examples. [[Bronze Age|Bronze]] and [[Iron Age]] finds are also plentiful. There is evidence of the [[Romano-British]] civilisation along the Medway Valley.

The immediate district of Tonbridge is omitted from the [[Domesday Book]]; however most other settlements in the Borough are included. Castles were built at Tonbridge, [[Allington, Kent|Allington]] and [[West Malling]] in the 13th century. Religious houses: Malling, [[Aylesford]] and Tonbridge were built: one such was [[St Mary's Abbey, West Malling|St Mary's Abbey]] dating from 1092. [[Aylesford]] Priory on the banks of the Medway, was built in the 13th century.

There are surviving medieval manor houses including [[Ightham Mote]] and [[Old Soar Manor]].

===19th century onwards===
====Description====
{{blockquote|Tonbridge district can be divided in two distinct areas, which were divided at the beginning of the nineteenth century by the woods and heaths of the ragstone (1) ridge from Great Comp to [[East Malling]]. Northwards lies the well peopled [[Vale of Holmesdale]] with the market town of [[West Malling]] as the principal centre of population, an area crossed lengthways by the railway and motorway ([[M20 motorway|M20]]); southwards of the ridge is the heavy clay of the [[Weald]] and valley of the Medway<ref>extract from ''Kent'' Dr Felix Hull (An Ordnance Survey Historical Guide 1988)</ref>}}

Kentish ragstone geologically speaking is the Upper [[Greensand Ridge]], used in church building in Kent.

===Modern times===
[[File:Hadlow Tower, Hadlow, Tonbridge & Malling, Kent, UK.jpg|thumb|Hadlow Tower is in Tonbridge and Malling Borough]]
[[File:Fairlawne House - geograph.org.uk - 1363808.jpg|thumb|Fairlawne House is in this borough]]
The land included is mainly agricultural – orchards, and livestock in the main – although major business parks and buildings within {{convert|30|mi|km|sigfig=1}} coupled with the railways and the motorway means a majority of working residents commute to work in the more built-up villages and Tonbridge. The new settlement of [[Kings Hill]] can be regarded as tied in with the economy of [[Maidstone]] equally with that of parts of Kent further to the western extremity.

A remnant of the once flourishing hop-growing industry is provided by a tourist attraction at [[Beltring]]: once the ''Whitbread Hop Farm'', it puts on weekend exhibitions and shows. Tonbridge and Malling has 27 [[listed building]]s in the highest category of the national system, Grade I. This includes eight churches, five reduced structures left over from St Mary's Abbey or [[Malling Abbey]], [[West Malling]] and four [[manor house]]s, mostly built by lower social ranks than the titled nobility.

[[File:IghthamMote.jpg|thumb|Ightham Mote is in Tonbridge and Malling]]
A diverse materials and appearance construction is [[Ightham Mote]] which is recognised in the highest category of the UK's architecture listing system, Grade I, though no longer in private hands.
[[East Malling]] Research Station disseminates results of research into matters affecting horticultural crops, with particular emphasis on the fruit, hop and nursery stock industries.

Many of the villages are beside long-distance walks with tourist accommodation, enabling tours of the orchards and [[bluebell wood]]s.

===Administrative history===
The district was created on 1 April 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]]. It covered the whole area of two former districts and part of a third, all of which were abolished at the same time:<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
*[[Malling Rural District]]
*[[Tonbridge Rural District]] (parishes of [[Hadlow]] and [[Hildenborough]] only, rest went to [[Borough of Tunbridge Wells|Tunbridge Wells]])
*[[Tonbridge]] [[Urban district (England and Wales)|Urban District]]
The new district was named Tonbridge and Malling, combining the names of the former districts.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>

The district received [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|borough status]] on 16 December 1983, changing the name of the council from Tonbridge and Malling District Council to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and allowing the chair of the council to take the title of [[Mayors in England|mayor]].<ref name=1983borough>{{cite news |title=Looking back on start of an era |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/looking-back-on-start-of-an-era-a48110/ |access-date=25 June 2023 |work=Kent Online |date=23 December 2008}}</ref>

==Governance==
{{Infobox legislature
 | name               = Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council
 | native_name        =
 | transcription_name =
 | legislature        =
 | logo_pic           = Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.svg
 | logo_res           = 180px
 | house_type         = Non-metropolitan district
 | body               =
 | houses             =
 | leader1_type       = [[Mayors in England|Mayor]]
 | leader1            = Chris Brown
 | party1             = <br>[[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]
 | election1          = 14 May 2025<ref>{{cite web |title=Chris Brown elected Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling|url=https://www.tmbc.gov.uk/news/article/163/chris-brown-elected-mayor-of-tonbridge-and-malling |website=Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council |access-date=16 May 2025|date=15 May 2025}}</ref>
 | leader2_type       = [[Leader of the Council|Leader]]
 | leader2            = Matt Boughton
 | party2             = <br>[[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]
 | election2          = 13 July 2021
 | leader3_type       = [[Chief Executive]]
 | leader3            = Damian Roberts
 | party3             = <!-- Non-political role -->
 | election3          = 2024<ref>{{cite web |title=Damian Roberts selected as new chief executive |url=https://www.tmbc.gov.uk/news/article/133/damian-roberts-selected-as-new-chief-executive |website=Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council |access-date=7 July 2024 |date=20 March 2024}}</ref>
 | members            = 44 councillors
 | house1             =
 | house2             =
 | structure1         =[[File:Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council 2025 20250516 225051 0000.png|Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council 2025 20250516 225051 0000.png]]
 | structure1_res     = 250px
 | structure1_alt     =
 | structure2         =
 | structure2_res     =
 | structure2_alt     =
 | political_groups1  =
;Administration (23)
: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]] (21)}}
: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Independent Alliance (Kent)}}|border=darkgray}} Independent Alliance (2)}}
'''Other parties (21)'''
: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] (11)}}
: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Green Party of England and Wales}}|border=darkgray}} [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green]] (8)}}
: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] (2)}}
 | committees1        =
 | committees2        =
 | joint_committees   =
 | voting_system1     =
 | voting_system2     =
 | last_election1     = [[2023 Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council election|4 May 2023]]
 | next_election1     = 6 May 2027
 | session_room       = Gibson Building.jpg
 | session_res        =
 | session_alt        =
 | meeting_place      = Gibson Building, Gibson Drive, Kings Hill, West Malling, ME19{{nbsp}}4LZ
 | website            = {{url|www.tmbc.gov.uk}}
}}

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council provides [[Non-metropolitan district|district-level]] services. [[Non-metropolitan county|County-level]] services are provided by [[Kent County Council]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> Much of the borough is also covered by [[civil parish]]es, which form a third tier of local government.<ref>{{cite web |title=Election maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=6 June 2023}}</ref>

===Political control===
Since the [[2023 Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council election|2023 election]] the council has been under [[no overall control]], being led by a coalition of the Conservatives and the Independent Alliance.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Alan |title=Tories keep control of Tonbridge and Malling on the casting vote of the Mayor |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/tonbridge/news/matt-boughton-continues-as-leader-287053/ |access-date=25 June 2023 |work=Kent Online |date=25 June 2023}}</ref>

The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements came into effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:<ref name=electionscentre>{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=26 November 2024 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "Tonbridge & Malling" in search box to see specific results.)</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=England council elections|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/election2011/council/html/29up.stm|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=6 May 2011}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2|Party in control || Years
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 1974–1995
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1995–2003
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2003–2023
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2023–present
|}

===Leadership===
The role of [[#Mayors and chairmen|mayor]] is largely ceremonial in Tonbridge and Malling. Political leadership is instead provided by the [[leader of the council]]. The leaders since 1985 have been:

{| class=wikitable
! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To
|-
| Mark Worrall<ref name=Worrall>{{cite news |title='Shock' as Tonbridge and Malling leader Mark Worrall dies |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-17858567 |access-date=25 July 2022 |work=BBC News |date=26 April 2012}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|1985 || align=right|1995
|-
| David Thornewell<ref>{{cite web |title=David Thornewell |url=https://www.tonbridgeandmallinglibdems.org.uk/local-party/councillors/david-thornewell |website=Tonbridge and Malling Liberal Democrats |access-date=10 March 2025}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=right|1995 || align=right|2003
|-
| Mark Worrall<ref name=Worrall/> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|2003 || align=right|26 Apr 2012
|-
| Nicolas Heslop<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 30 May 2012 |url=https://democracy.tmbc.gov.uk/CeListDocuments.aspx?CommitteeId=126&MeetingId=796&DF=30%2f05%2f2012&Ver=2 |website=Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council | date=30 May 2012 |access-date=10 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Alan |title=Tonbridge and Malling council leader Nicolas Heslop resigns |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/tonbridge/news/council-leader-steps-down-249383/ |access-date=10 March 2025 |work=Kent Online |date=10 March 2025}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|30 May 2012 || align=right|13 Jul 2021
|-
| Matt Boughton<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 13 July 2021 |url=https://democracy.tmbc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=126&MId=4614 |website=Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council | date=13 July 2021 |access-date=10 March 2025}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|13 Jul 2021 || 
|}

===Composition===
Following the [[2023 Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council election|2023 election]] and two by-elections, the composition of the council is:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://democracy.tmbc.gov.uk//mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=PARTY&VW=LIST&PIC=0|access-date=16 May 2025}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2| Party
! Councillors
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=center|21
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=center|11
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Green Party of England and Wales}} || align=center|8
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=center|2
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Independent Alliance (Kent)|full=yes}} || align=center|2
|-
! colspan=2|Total !! align=center|44
|}
The next election is due in 2027.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tonbridge and Malling |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=tonbridge_and_malling |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=10 March 2025}}</ref>

===Premises===
[[File:Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Offices.jpg|thumb|Extension to the Gibson Building including the main reception, completed 2000.]]
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council's main offices are at the Gibson Building in [[Kings Hill]], which had been built in 1939 as the officers' mess building of [[RAF West Malling]].<ref>{{NHLE|num=1387787|desc=Gibson Building, Gibson Drive, Kings Hill|accessdate=25 July 2022|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> The building is named after [[Wing commander|Wing Commander]] [[Guy Gibson]], known for leading the [[Operation Chastise|Dambusters Raid]], who had been based at RAF West Malling in 1941–1942.<ref>Plaque by main entrance doors to civic suite: "The Gibson Building / Named after Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC DSO DFC RAF / Who said of RAF West Malling when serving here with 29 Squadron during 1941/42 "Of all the airfields in Great Britain, here, many say (including myself) we have the most pleasant"</ref> The council moved to the Gibson Building in November 1974, just a few months after the council's creation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Next week Tonbridge and Malling District Council moves to new headquarters at West Malling Airfield |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=25 July 2022 |work=Kent and Sussex Courier |date=22 November 1974 |location=Tunbridge Wells |page=44}}</ref> A large extension to the Gibson Building was added in 2000.<ref>Plaque in the main reception, within the extension, reads: "This building was opened by The Worshipful The Mayor of the Borough of Tonbridge and Malling Councillor Michael J. Dobson on 11 August 2000."</ref> The council also has an office at [[Tonbridge Castle]], which had been the offices of the former Tonbridge Urban District Council.<ref>{{cite web |title=Contact us |url=https://www.tmbc.gov.uk/council/contact-us |website=Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council |access-date=25 July 2022}}</ref>

==Elections==
{{also|Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council elections}}
Since the last boundary changes in 2023, the council has comprised 44 [[councillor]]s elected from 19 [[Wards of the United Kingdom|wards]], with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Tonbridge and Malling (Electoral Changes) Order 2022|year=2022|number=1141|access-date=25 June 2023}}</ref>

===Wider politics===
In [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]], the borough is covered by the [[Tonbridge (UK Parliament constituency)|Tonbridge]], [[Maidstone and Malling (UK Parliament constituency)|Maidstone and Malling]] and [[Chatham and Aylesford (UK Parliament constituency)|Chatham and Aylesford]] constituencies.

==Parishes==
Much of the district is covered by [[civil parish]]es, with the exception being the former Tonbridge Urban District, covering the town of Tonbridge, which is an [[unparished area]]. The parish council for Snodland takes the style "town council".<ref>{{cite web |title=Parish councils contact information |url=https://democracy.tmbc.gov.uk/mgParishCouncilDetailsList.aspx |website=Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council |access-date=25 June 2023}}</ref>

{{columns-list|colwidth=12em|
* [[Addington, Kent|Addington]]
* [[Aylesford]]
* [[Birling, Kent|Birling]]
* [[Borough Green]]
* [[Burham]]
* [[Ditton, Kent|Ditton]]
* [[East Malling and Larkfield]]
* [[East Peckham]]
* [[Hadlow]]
* [[Hildenborough]]
* [[Ightham]]
* [[Kings Hill]]
* [[Leybourne]]
* [[Mereworth]]
* [[Offham, Kent|Offham]]
* [[Platt, Kent|Platt]]
* [[Plaxtol]]
* [[Ryarsh]]
* [[Shipbourne]]
* [[Snodland]] (town)
* [[Stansted, Kent|Stansted]]
* [[Trottiscliffe]]
* [[Wateringbury]]
* [[West Malling]]
* [[West Peckham]]
* [[Wouldham]]
* [[Wrotham]]
}}

==Transport==
Six railway routes operate through the borough.

The [[South Eastern Main Line]] on the route London&nbsp;– Tonbridge – Ashford International – Dover crosses the west of the borough with stations at [[Hildenborough railway station|Hildenborough]] and [[Tonbridge railway station|Tonbridge]].

The [[Maidstone East Line]] on the route Victoria – Maidstone East – Ashford International – Canterbury – Thanet with its stations at [[Borough Green & Wrotham railway station|Borough Green & Wrotham]], [[West Malling railway station|West Malling for Kings Hill]], [[East Malling railway station|East Malling]] and [[Barming railway station|Barming]] crosses the north of the borough.

From [[Tonbridge railway station|Tonbridge]], the [[Hastings line]] services run to [[Tunbridge Wells]] and [[Hastings]], with some through services from Hastings to London, and the [[Redhill to Tonbridge Line]] services run to Redhill: through services on that line to [[Guildford]] have been discontinued.

The [[High Speed 1]] line with Eurostar services crosses the north of the borough, but there are no stations here, although southeastern high speed commuter services to / from London St Pancras call at Snodland during the morning and evening peak periods.

The [[Medway Valley Line]] links the [[North Kent Line]] at [[Strood]] with the [[South Eastern Main Line]] at [[Paddock Wood railway station]].  Stations are at [[Snodland railway station|Snodland]], [[New Hythe railway station|New Hythe]], and [[Aylesford railway station|Aylesford]] on the Strood – Maidstone West section of the line in the north of the borough and [[Wateringbury railway station|Wateringbury]] on the Maidstone West – Paddock Wood section of the line in the south of the borough.  [[Beltring railway station|Beltring and Brandbridges Halt]] is close to the borough boundary.  Trains on this line now run through from Paddock Wood to Tonbridge, but through services from Maidstone West via Strood to London Bridge have been discontinued.

The borough has road routes passing through it. There are three motorways: the [[M2 motorway (Great Britain)|M2]], [[M20 motorway|M20]] and the [[M26 motorway|M26]]; three west-east roads ([[A20 road (England)|A20]]; [[A21 road (England)|A21]] and the [[A26 road]]). Three other roads of similar stature are the [[A227 road|A227]], [[A228 road|A228]] and [[A229 road|A229]].

In addition there are [[long distance footpath]]s, among them the [[Greensand Way]], the [[Medway Valley Walk]], the [[Wealdway]] and the Eden Valley Walk.{{Citation needed|date=February 2010}}

==Media==
In terms of television, the area is served by [[BBC South East]] and [[ITV Meridian]]. Television signals are received from the Tunbridge Wells <ref>{{cite web | url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Tunbridge_Wells | title=Tunbridge Wells (Kent, England) Full Freeview transmitter | date=May 2004 }}</ref> and [[Bluebell Hill transmitting station|Bluebell Hill]] TV transmitters, [[BBC London]] and [[ITV London]] can also be received from the [[Crystal Palace transmitting station|Crystal Palace]] TV transmitters.

Radio stations for the area are:
*[[BBC Radio Kent]]
*[[Heart South]]
*[[KMFM West Kent]] (covering [[Tonbridge]])
*[[KMFM Maidstone]] (covering [[West Malling]])

Local newspapers are ''[[Kent and Sussex Courier]]'' and ''[[Kent Messenger]]'',  which is published by the [[KM Group]].

==Youth radio station==
Tonbridge and Malling has youth projects and organisations including Cupid FM, the first ever youth radio station or project of its kind within the area. The project received funding and support from Kent County Council and Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, and during 2006 set up a studio and online broadcast which came to a close in November of that year. The station was run by local teens and music was populated by the latest chart hits. <!--HORRIBLY OUT OF DATE, IT IS NOW JAN 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!There are no plans to re-invent the Cupid FM brand for future broadcasting, however a new mini site will be launching at the end of 2007 highlighting the projects success.-->

==Mayors and chairmen==
The councillor presiding at council meetings was initially called the chairman until December 1983 when the council was awarded borough status and the role was renamed mayor. The existing chairman at that point, Barry Hughes, became the first mayor.<ref name=1983borough/>

{{columns-list |colwidth=20em| 
* 1974–75 John Burt
* 1975–76 Michael Stone
* 1976–77 Jean Marwood
* 1977–78 Peter Adcock
* 1978–79 David Davis
* 1979–80 Peter Foy
* 1980–81 John Saunders
* 1981–82 John Adams
* 1982–83 Arnold Jones
* 1983–84 Barry Hughes
* 1984–85 Janice Browne
* 1985–86 Maurice Ferry
* 1986–87 Robert Allen
* 1987–88 Jill Hutchinson
* 1988–89 Godfrey Horne
* 1989–90 Billie Sinclair-Lee
* 1990–91 Mike Dobson
* 1991–92 Roy Barnes
* 1992–93 Derek Chandler
* 1993–94 Marion Cole
* 1994–95 Terence Barton
* 1995–96 Patricia Barnes
* 1996–97 Janis Cresswell
* 1997–98 George Chapman
* 1998–99 Susan Levett
* 1999–00 Anita Oakley
* 2000–01 Mike Dobson
* 2001–02 Joyce Oxley
* 2002–03 Stephen Cresswell
* 2003–04 Jill Anderson
* 2004–05 Peter Homewood
* 2005–06 Derek Still<ref>{{cite web|title=Council Minutes|url=http://egenda.tmbc.gov.uk/akstonbridge/users/public/admin/kab12.pl?cmte=COU&meet=1&arc=71|publisher=Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council|date=10 May 2005}}</ref>
* 2006–07 Russell Dorling<ref>{{cite web|title=Council Minutes|url=http://egenda.tmbc.gov.uk/akstonbridge/users/public/admin/kab12.pl?cmte=COU&meet=8&arc=71|publisher=Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council|date=9 May 2006}}</ref>
* 2007–08 Ann Kemp<ref>{{cite web|title=Council Minutes|url=http://egenda.tmbc.gov.uk/akstonbridge/users/public/admin/kab12.pl?cmte=COU&meet=14&arc=71|publisher=Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council|date=15 May 2007}}</ref>
* 2008–09 Christopher Smith<ref>{{cite web|title=Council Minutes|url=http://egenda.tmbc.gov.uk/akstonbridge/users/public/admin/kab12.pl?cmte=COU&meet=20&arc=71|publisher=Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council|date=13 May 2008}}</ref>
* 2009–11 Sue Murray (two terms)<ref>{{cite web|title=Council Minutes|url=http://egenda.tmbc.gov.uk/akstonbridge/users/public/admin/kab12.pl?cmte=COU&meet=27&arc=71|publisher=Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council|date=12 May 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Council Minutes|url=http://egenda.tmbc.gov.uk/akstonbridge/users/public/admin/kab12.pl?cmte=COU&meet=39&arc=71|publisher=Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council|date=11 May 2010}}</ref>
* 2011–12 Brian Luker<ref>{{cite web|title=Council Minutes|url=http://egenda.tmbc.gov.uk/akstonbridge/users/public/admin/kab12.pl?cmte=COU&meet=38&arc=71|publisher=Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council|date=17 May 2011}}</ref>
* 2012–13 Dave Davis<ref name=council300512>{{cite web|title=Council Minutes|url=http://egenda.tmbc.gov.uk/akstonbridge/users/public/admin/kab12.pl?cmte=COU&meet=45&arc=71|publisher=Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council|date=30 May 2012}}</ref>
* 2013–14 Howard Rogers<ref name=council400513>{{cite web|title=Council Minutes|url=http://egenda.tmbc.gov.uk/akstonbridge/users/public/admin/kab12.pl?cmte=COU&meet=50&arc=71|publisher=Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council|date=14 May 2013}}</ref>
* 2014–15 Sasha Luck
* 2015–16 Owen Baldock
* 2016–17 Mark Rhodes
* 2017–18 Roger Dalton
* 2018–19 Pam Bates
* 2019–21 Jill Anderson
* 2021-22 Roger Roud
* 2022–23 Sue Bell
* 2023–24 James Lark
* 2024– Steve Hammond
}}

==Freedom of the Borough==
The following people and military units have received the [[Freedom of the City|Freedom of the Borough]] of Tonbridge and Malling.
 
{{Incomplete list|date=September 2019}}

===Individuals===
{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|
*[[David Say]]: 20 June 1987<ref name="TwoFreedom">{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/tunbridge-wells-courier-two-receive-free/161767506/ |title=Two receive freedom of the borough|date=26 June 1987|newspaper= Tunbridge Wells Courier|page=6|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
*David O Davis: 20 June 1987<ref name="TwoFreedom"/>
*Arnold Jones : 2 August 1991
*Jean Marwood: 6 September 1991
*Barry Hughes: 25 October 1991<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/image/810778067/ |title=Tonbridge|department=News From All Around|date=1 November 1991|newspaper= Tunbridge Wells Courier|page=13|url-access=subscription|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
*[[John Stanley (Tonbridge and Malling MP)|Sir John Stanley]]: 7 May 1994
*Marion Cole: 11 May 1996
*Michael Stone: 11 May 1996
*Patricia Barnes: 7 April 2000
*Roy Barnes: 7 April 2000
*Sheila Farmer: 7 April 2000
*[[John Jukes (bishop)|John Jukes]]: 11 July 2000
*[[Kelly Holmes]]: 24 April 2001
*Janice Browne: 23 November 2007
*Godfrey Horne: 23 November 2007
*Derek Still: 23 November 2007
*Dr Gordon Court: 30 March 2012
*Michael Dobson: 30 March 2012
*David Thornewell: 30 March 2012
*Mark Worrall: 24 January 2013 (Posthumous)
*Susan Murray: 9 December 2015
*Elizabeth Simpson: 9 December 2015
*Peter Bolt: 16 August 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tmbc.gov.uk/news/archive-2019/former-councillor-joins-roll-of-highest-honoured |title=Former councillor joins roll of highest honoured - Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council |access-date=25 September 2019 |archive-date=25 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925231027/https://www.tmbc.gov.uk/news/archive-2019/former-councillor-joins-roll-of-highest-honoured |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Owen Charles Baldock MIET: 12 July 2022
*Jill Anderson: 14 May 2024
*Nicolas Heslop: 14 May 2024
}}

===Military Units===
* The [[Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-13831086 |title=Tonbridge crowds cheer Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment |publisher=BBC News |date=June 19, 2011}}</ref>
* [[No. 29 Squadron RAF|29 Squadron]], [[Royal Air Force|RAF]].
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeslocalnews.co.uk/tonbridge-news/exceptional-peter-bolt-is-made-freeman|title = 'Exceptional' Peter Bolt is made Freeman| date=5 September 2019 }}</ref>
* 220 Medical Squadron, 256 Multi-Role Medical Regiment
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmbc.gov.uk/news/article/141/new-mayor-and-freemen-for-tonbridge-and-malling|title= New Mayor and Freemen for Tonbridge and Malling}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of places of worship in Tonbridge and Malling]]

==References==
''Kent History Illustrated'' Frank W Jessup (KCC, 1966)
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.tmbc.gov.uk/ Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council]

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{{Tonbridge and Malling}}
{{Kent}}
{{SE_England}}

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[[Category:Tonbridge and Malling| ]]
[[Category:Non-metropolitan districts of Kent]]
[[Category:Boroughs in England]]