Royal Tunbridge Wells was built around Chalybeate Spring in 1606. The high content of iron in the water was thought to have healing powers and this turned the area into a spa town. The spring can be found in Pantiles amongst the Regency Architecture. Pantiles was originally a type of tile used for roofing but Tunbridge Wells is very unusual as they are used on the pavement in this part of town. A lot of the area is listed with buildings dating from the 19th century.
The Royal prefix was bestowed by King Edward VIII when he realised how popular the town was with Royalty and the gentry.
Tunbridge Wells is a town made up of two halves. The southern part of the town is the older district and the centre of the ’village’. Music is played in the old bandstand during the summer and it’s a popular area for both tourists and residents. It’s on this side of town that the Spa Valley Railway operates heritage trains from Tunbridge Wells West Station to High Rock and Groombridge.
The northern side of town has more recently been developed and here is where the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre can be found. This was opened by the Princess of Wales in 1992. There are more stores in Camden, Grosvenor and Calverley Roads and smaller shops are in the High Street, Chapel Place and Pantiles. Some of the shops to be found in Tunbridge Wells include Long Tall Sally, Monsoon, Viyella, Wallis, Burtons, Animal, Tie Rack, Austin Reed, Serendipity and H & M. Situated in this half of the town are the Assembly Halls and the Trinity Theatre (once the Holy Trinity Church) which has evenings of live comedy, drama and musicals.
One of the largest companies operating in town is AXA whose offices are in the Vale Road area.
The town’s old cinema is destined to be pulled down and in its place will be
a nightclub, bars and shops.
Tunbridge Wells originally had two stations but now only one remains, Tunbridge Wells Station. The other, Tunbridge Wells West closed in l985 and is now a Beefeater Restaurant. The old goods yard has become a Sainsburys supermarket and the northern terminus of the Spa Valley Railway.
The town has several good restaurants the favourite amongst both residents and tourists is Thackerays and for lunch the Bistro at the Hotel du Vin is very popular. There are plenty of bars, public houses and clubs to choose from especially in the area around the High Street.
There is always property to let and average prices are £575pcm for a l bed flat and £650pcm for a 2 bed flat.
Tunbridge Wells is fortunate to have many parks and commons. Calverley Grounds have a bandstand, ornamental garden, café, 3 tennis courts, 3 croquet courts and a basketball court.
Dunaton Park is now lists Grade II on the English Heritage National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
Tunbridge Wells is close to the A21 Hasting Road. This road was to have had the single lane stretch, near Tunbridge Wells, improved and made into a dual carriageway but in 1997 when the Labour Party came to power the work was cancelled and to date no further timescale has been given for the work to start.
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