A heritage impact assessment carried out at the site of a proposed new hospital in Pembury in 2007 recorded a former workhouse at the site dating from 1836. The site had become a hospital by the 4th edition OS map.(1)

A Union Workhouse was established at Sandhill, Newbars Wood to the north west of Pembury following the Poor Law Act of 1834. The workhouse was designed by John Whichcord, following the model proposed by the Poor Law Commission on 1835. The workhouse was actually built by George Cole. Labour was provided by inmates from the old parish workhouses. Work was completed in December 1936.

The workhouse consisted of two ranges set around a courtyard. An isolation block was built after 1837-8 following an outbreak of smallpox and a further hospotal block added in 1856.

A gothic-style chapel, designed by Robert Wheeler, was built in 1863-4. This building survives and is now listed.

A new block was added in 1872 and an infirmary in 1890.

The infirmary was taken over by Kent County Council in 1930 and it continued to be run as a hospital from that date. Further wards were built during the 20th century. During the Second World War bomb-proof shelters were built along the east side of the Lower Site and staff and patients from Guy's Hospital, London were evacuated here during the War.

Further additions were made to the site during the later 20th century including sports facilities and geriatric wards.(2)

All buildings, apart from Workhouse Chapel, demolished in 2011 when new Tunbridge Wells Hospital was opened.

Gifford and Partners, 2007, Pembury Hospital near Tunbridge Wells, Kent: buildings recording and assessment - 20th century buildings of the Lower Site (Unpublished document). SKE13376.

Gifford and Partners, 2007, Pembury Hospital near Tunbridge Wells, Kent: buildings recording and assessment - 20th century buildings of the Lower Site (Unpublished document). Ske13376.

<1> Equion, 2007, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust: PFI redevelopment project: environmental statement (Unpublished document). SKE13048.

<1> Equion, 2007, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust: PFI redevelopment project: environmental statement figures (Unpublished document). SKE13049.

<1> Equion, 2007, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust: PFI redevelopment project: Heritage impact assessment (Unpublished document). SKE13046.

<2> Gifford and Partners, 2007, Pembury Hospital near Tunbridge Wells, Kent: buildings recording and assessment - 20th century buildings of the Lower Site (Unpublished document). SKE13376.