Royal Tunbridge Wells

Royal Tunbridge Wells is surrounded by the High Weald, designated as an Area of Outstanding Beauty and less than an hour’s train journey from central London. Visitors find that the town makes an ideal base, not only for walking and cycling in the miles of open, green countryside, but also for exploring one of the UK’s finest and most concentrated selections of castles, gardens and stately homes open to the public, including Scotney Castle Garden, Groombridge Place Gardens, Penshurst Place and Finchcocks Museum of Music. 

The town of Royal Tunbridge Wells itself has been attracting visitors for over 400 years to its elegant surroundings. As the place to see and be seen in Georgian England, it has retained its charm and popularity today as a place to relax, shop, eat, drink and enjoy the finer things in life. 

The Pantiles, the town’s famous colonnade, is at the heart of the historic part of town and home to the Chalybeate Spring – the spot where it all began for Tunbridge Wells. As the only spa town in Kent and indeed the South East of England, the discovery of the spring water in 1606 was the first step in the town’s colourful history which has continued through the centuries to the present day. A favourite holiday destination of famous people such as Queen Anne, Princess (later Queen) Victoria, Samuel Pepys and Daniel Defoe, amongst others, Tunbridge Wells was finally recognised by royalty itself in 1909 by King Edward VII with the granting of the town’s ‘Royal’ prefix – an honour bestowed on a very few destinations.  

Royal Tunbridge Wells today is full of reminders of its colourful past, yet is still a town buzzing with life. The famous Spring still flows and it is possible to try the iron-rich waters for yourself during the summer when they are served by a traditional ‘Dipper’ in Georgian dress. Alternatively, pop into the Tunbridge Wells Museum to see examples of Tunbridge Wells’ Georgian heyday, or to the Art Gallery next door to catch one of the national travelling exhibitions or displays of contemporary art.  

Small specialist shops selling everything from cooking utensils to wedding dresses, antique clocks to designer jewellery, are tucked away along the pretty Pantiles colonnade, which is complemented by quality, designer and individual shops in the High Street and the modern Royal Victoria Place shopping mall at the top of the town. Food lovers will feel right at home in Royal Tunbridge Wells: traditional English, modern European, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Persian, Mexican and more may be enjoyed. Wine bars featuring live jazz music, bustling brasseries, award winning gourmet eateries, romantic dinners for two and cosy traditional pubs are all to be found in and around the town.

Catch an alternative comedy performance, an off-West End show, ballet, opera or art house film at either the Trinity Theatre or Assembly Hall Theatre in town. If you’re visiting at weekends, use the opportunity to stock up some local Kentish produce at the weekly Farmers’ Markets alternating between the Pantiles and outside the Museum building, or even some French or Italian goodies at special markets held at various times throughout the year.

The pretty nearby town of Cranbrook, just a short drive from Royal Tunbridge Wells, with its windmill and medieval layout of streets, is known locally as the ‘Capital of the Weald’ and makes a charming destination for a day out. It’s just a couple of miles to Sissinghurst Castle Garden, made famous by Vita Sackville-West, and on to a group of small, yet fascinating visitor attractions – the Seven Wonders of the Weald. All within 10 minutes’ driving time of each other, the Seven Wonders make it easy to spend a day or two discovering the area with a real variety of things to see and do, including Bewl Water and its 21km of walking and cycling tracks; Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest and its newly opened off-road cycling, riding and walking facilities; Lamberhurst Vineyard where visitors can sample award-winning English wines; and the beautiful privately owned gardens and art gallery at Marle Place.

For more information please visit www.visitheartofkent.com