It is easy for Londoners, with literally hundreds of galleries, theatres, and museums on their doorsteps, to assume that everywhere else is, by comparison, a complete cultural desert.
And this was very much Sean Turner’s view – until he decided to give life in the home counties a try and moved to Tunbridge Wells in Kent.
“I could not have been more wrong,” he said. “There is an awful lot going on around this area. There is plenty to keep you busy, and a lot of really interesting work going on.”
(Sean Turner)
Sean, 38, had “always believed he would live in London forever”, with his wife Tarragon, 33.
He was a theatre director, which effectively meant working freelance and moving from gig to gig. She was an assistant manager at the Duchess Theatre.
Their working lives were fulfilling, and they were happy living in a rented one bedroom maisonette in Colliers Wood, which cost around £1,250pcm.
(Sean Turner)
During the pandemic theatres went dark, which gave the couple plenty of time for reflection.
“We loved, and still do love, London but we started to think about making a change which was very much linked to the idea of starting a family,” said Sean.
Then, in 2021, Sean was offered an exciting opportunity – the role of artistic director at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. “It was a big step up for me career wise,” he said.
The couple decided the time was right and, despite knowing almost nothing about the town, Sean accepted the job and started looking around for a new place to live.
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Tarragon was so busy with work that she left him in sole charge of the house hunting. “The first time she came to Tunbridge Wells was the day we moved here,” said Sean.
That was in the summer of 2021 and, initially, Tarragon made the 45 minute commute back to London for work.
The property Sean selected – which happily she likes – was a modern two bedroom house close to the centre of town, costing £1,625pcm.
Life changed again when the couple’s daughter, Romilly, was born in May 2022, and the couple then decided to set up their own local business, an indoor children’s centre, Kidsbury Role Play Village which has had the added benefit of helping them to get to know other young families.
(Sean Turner)
When not working the family spends their time exploring the beauties of the High Weald, getting to know Tunbridge Wells’ many open spaces and historic buildings, and regularly they journey back to London for a theatre fix.
“Tunbridge Wells is a beautiful community and a wonderful place to live,” said Sean.
“I was very worried about not living in the city, but I have come to love Tunbridge Wells. We want to stay here, and buy here eventually, and for it to be Romilly’s home.”