A helpful reader has reminded us (thank you!) that, despite it now being February, we have yet to publish the answers to the first Tonbridge Bean Christmas Treasure Hunt (2025). Our sincere apologies – this somehow slipped our minds during the festive period.
Below you’ll find a recap of the questions, along with the correct answers. For the avoidance of doubt, all winners have already been notified by email. Thank you once again to all the fabulous businesses who supported our treasure hunt and to those wonderful readers who took part.
13th December
Today’s Clue: A Rainbow of Colour
Part 1: Walk along the High Street, keeping the taps of Fuggles and The Ivy House on your right. Just after the Bordyke crossing, two blue memories cling to the wall — read them both. Only one honours a woman; her given name is your first answer.
Part 2: Carefully cross the road towards Tonbridge School and work your way back down towards the High Street. Not far from the school a building bears the name of a grey-scaled fish. Do not trust its name — the truth lies in the colour of its door.
Your answer is the name and then the colour of the door.
Answer: Anna Green
14th December
Today’s Clue: The Tonbridge Gambit
Magnus Carlsen is sitting outside at his favourite game in central Tonbridge.
Part 1. Here you will find a small sign. According to the sign, how much did he deposit for the pieces to play?
Part 2. What is the 10th word on the sign?
The two parts form your answer.
Answer: £5 Chequerboard
15th December
Today’s Clue: The Simon & Garfunkel
Part 1) Where four shops meet on the High Street— garments, spices, nail lacquer and mobile phone repairs— cross the little structure that carries people across the stream. Count the number of horses along its railings and this will tell you a number – the first part of your answer.
Part 2) Nearby, the coffee house marked by a green mermaid stands below a blue plaque with a single horse. Find the second name of the person who is honoured.
Your answer is the number and then the second name.
Answer: Eight Woolley
16th December
Today’s clue : Statue Repair
PART 1) Start this search at the Tonbridge Nationwide Bank, look for a plaque nearby recording a repair made centuries ago. Take the final two digits of that historic year.
PART 2) Next, find the nearby statue made of glass and steel, and count the total number of letters in the sculptor’s full name, inscribed beneath the map’s title.
Place this digit at the end of the previous to form your final three-digit code.
Answer: 289
17th December
Today’s Clue: Hop Scotch
You’re looking for a six digit code.
In the park, a newly refurbished workout space stands. Where you can pump iron in the open air, two kettle bells whisper their measure in kilograms. Add their numbers to form your first pair of digits.
Below, the ground is marked with yellow rings and lines to guide your hopping and stepping.
Count the circles to find the next two digits.
Then count the lines for the final two digits.
Place the three numbers alongside each other, in that order to find your six-digit answer.
Answer: 18/11/17
18th December
Today’s Clue: Tonbridge Painted Up High
You’re looking for a two digit code and a name.
Graffitied on a wall up high, Tonbridge tells its story. Beneath the painted pub known as “The Nelly,” a number waits on the wall. Then find the painted dairy nearby — whose dairy is it?
Answer: 91 Frouds
19th December
Today’s Clue: The Bard
In the park, find the courts where rackets meet the net.
Count how many stand side by side — that is your first answer.
Near their entrance to the courts, sits a bench for J.H.H., carved with a line from Shakespeare. From which play does that line come?
Give the number, then the title.
Answer: Four, As You Like It
20th December
Today’s Clue: Rail & Water
The miniature railway track tells a tale of Tonbridge, and a society born from passion.
Part 1. Find a sign and look closely at its foundation year.
Part 2. Find the year when the waters rose highest.
The numerical difference between these two significant numbers will reveal your crucial two-digit answer.
Answer: 24
21st December
Today’s Clue: Nose & Ears
Part 1) In the racecourse park, near the Bug Hotel, seek the special planter made for senses — ten plants are listed on the board. Among them, two wear the scent of fruit.
Part 2) Then listen for the gentle whiff-whaff of bat and ball, and count the tables where the game is played.
Give the two fruits first, then the number.
Answer: Lemon, Banana, Two
22nd December
Today’s Clue: The Vicar of Hounds
Close to where the rail lines meet and the Station House pours a pint, a cornerstone marks a place of communion.
What year was the stone placed by the Vicar, whose name echoes the spectral hounds of Dartmoor’s dread?
Answer: 1901
23rd December
Today’s Clue: A law unto themselves
Part 1) Start at the home of the former flame fighters — a hall that once answered the town’s alarm and is now a place where you can get a great cup of coffee. Look for a memorial stone – what year was it laid?
Part 2) Next head towards, 165 on the High Street. Stand at a good vantage point to glance upwards to the first floor. Letters adorn a window – what do they spell?
And whilst you’re here, it would be rude not to stop for a drink or two!
Your answer is the year, followed by the word.
Answer: 1901 LAWSON
24th December
Today’s Clue: 20 Seats
This is the last stop for the Tonbridge Bean Treasure hunt, thank you everyone who took part!
Standing at the Castle Gatehouse and facing the Castle Lawn, you will find twenty seats, each with a name.
Walking clockwise, seek ONLY names. (Include articles such as ‘ The’ but ignore the phrase ‘provided by’).
Use the clues below to find a two word phrase, 5 letters in each.
1, 4 (Bench 1, 4th letter in name)| 2,10 | 3,3 | 4,6 | 6,13 (largest plaque)
10,6 | 11,6 | 12,2 | 13,4 | 14,9
Answer: Final Train
Do you have something you want to tell the Tonbridge Bean about our town? Write to us at tonbridgebean@gmail.com with your thoughts and photos!
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