Royal Tunbridge Wells Shopping Gardens Spa Town Pantiles Kent UK

The Pantiles, Chalybeate Spring & Tunbridge Wells Museum

Dudley Lord North may have discovered the spa spring at Tunbridge Wells which set the wheel in motion for Tunbridge Wells as Royal Spa Resort, but it was Richard Beau Nash who really pushed the town up there with the likes of Bath as a Regency resort of choice. From 1735 until his death in 1761, Beau Nash was Master of Ceremonies' at Royal Tunbridge Wells, which became known as his colony second to Bath. Master of Ceremonies meant organising entertainment in the town, regulating behaviour, orchestrating fees and generally promoting Tunbridge Wells as a top resort. Under Beau Nash Tunbridge Wells attracted the cream of visitors, both from the arts and royalty. No one could organise a ball like Beau Nash. This Georgian period in Royal Tunbridge Well's history is explored in the town's main museum and art gallery!

Royal Tunbridge Wells' famous Pantiles takes its name from the Kent clay tiles layed on this colonnaded walkway. The Pantiles developed alongside the springs as Tunbridge Wells which began to attract increasing numbers of visitors. Today the Pantiles are a mecca for serious specialist shoppers, particularly for antiques, toys and vintage wines. The town's historic old fish market is here too. The Chalybeate Spring still throws up its therapeutic waters and you can sample a cup, usually handed out by dressed up 'dipper'. The 'dipper' or distributer of the spring water was once royally appointed!

A choice of excellent guided walks are available, digging deep into the history of this historic spa town (see the Tunbridge Wells town webguide for details). Alternatively, pick up a copy of the self-guided Heritage Walking Trail leaflet from the TIC. Essential visiting to get to grips with the town's Georgian spa resort history and for information and exhbiits on the distinctive Tunbridge Ware woodwork (a craft marvel of cubic box designs popular particularly in the Georgian period), head for the Royal Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery. Changing cutting edge contemporary exhbitions are also held here.

Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery, Civic Centre, Mount Pleasant, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1JN. Tel. 01892 554171. Admission is Free, Open Monday to Saturday 9.30am - 5.00pm, Sunday 10.00am - 4.00pm. Closed Bank Holidays and Easter Saturday.

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Tunbridge Wells Theatre, Trinity Theatre, Cinema Entertainment

Royal Tunbridge Wells has a kickin' arts scene revolving particularly around the Trinity Theatre and live music venue The Forum

All round arts and theatre centre, you've not just some superb drama on offer at the Trinity Theatre, but also a programme of independent cinema, music and comedy. Also on-site is a children's theatre and cafe bar plus exhibition space. Checkout Trinity's webguide right for forthcoming shows, exhibits and events.

Likewise the Assembly Halls in Tunbridge Wells offer a fine ecclectic mix of drama, music, popular shows, pantomime, musical theatre and comedy. Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2LU. Tel Box Office. 01892 530613. The Forum in the town is a mecca for up and coming bands across Kent and Sussex, particularly Kent.

Trinity Theatre, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1JP. Ticket Office 01892 678 678. The Forum, Fonthill, The Common, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 8YU. Tel. 08712 777101.

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Royal Tunbridge Wells Shopping Antiques The Pantiles

Main hubs for some of Kent's finest specialist shopping in Royal Tunbridge Wells are along the Pantiles near the Chalybeate Spring at the southern end of town. The Pantiles has a particularly good choice of antique shops, but you'll discover more antique shops (40 in all) across the town. Tunbridge Wells also has a number of antiques fairs through the year. For details check with the tourist information centre.

Also along the Pantiles colonnaded walkway discover a great choice of unique boutique clothing shops plus the main Pantiles shopping arcade in the Corn Exchange building. Push upto the old High Street and Chapel Place north of the Pantiles for more specialist shopping in shops retaining character Victorian frontage. The range of specialisms includes clothing, antiques, home furnishings, jewellery, gifts and more. Around Mount Pleasant and the Great Hall Shopping centre you'll find more of your traditional retail outlets, plus theatres and the Trinity Art and Theatre Centre. Right at the top of Mount Pleasant sits the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre, Tunbridge Wells' new popular undercover shopping centre.

Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre, Main Entrance - Fiveways, Tunbridge Wells England TN1 2SS. 01892 514141.

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Spa Valley Railway Tunbridge Wells Kent

The pretty light stream railway - the Spa Valley Railway runs for 3 1/2 miles from Tunbridge Wells to Groombridge. The train stops at one stop along the way - High Rocks. Find Tunbridge Wells' main Spa Valley station south of the Pantiles along and off Edgridge Road. Tunbridge Wells West is the headquarters station, and on-site you can view a Victorian engine shed with a collection of historic locomotives. A gift shop, model railway and buffet are also on-site.

Hop off at High Rocks for the High Rocks Inn with restaurant. Woodland walks and trails are also around the station (pick up suggested walks ideas from any of the stations). The line moves onwards through stunning Kentish Weald countryside to Groombridge Village, home to a historic pub, picture-postcard church and the celebrated Groombridge Place Gardens (see Groombridge Gardens webguide right).

Special evening Fish and Chip Suppers and Real Ale Trains are laid on annually, as well as Days out with Thomas the Tank Engine and friends for the tots. Check the Spa Valley Railway timetable via the webguide. The season tends to kick off in the second half of March around the Easter period. Plans are currerntly afoot to extend this popular railway on to Eridge, which would make the line a total of over 5 miles.

Spa Valley Railway, West Station, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY. Tel. 01892 537715.

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