Officially named Royal Tunbridge Wells (it received its “Royal” prefix in 1909), but most local people just call their town Tunbridge Wells, is a town in west Kent, about 30 miles south-east of London. It is the administrative centre for both Tunbridge Wells Borough and the parliamentary constituency of Tunbridge Wells. In the mid 18th century, it was well known for its spa and the Pantiles and Chalybeate springs attracted visitors from all around. The town lies in the centre of the High Weald and is surrounded by many beautiful Kent villages.
This vibrant Kent town has much to offer the visitor, from its independent shops to its lively restaurants and café bars to things to do and places to visit. It’s an ideal hub to base yourself.
Well known for its shopping, Tunbridge Wells presents a unique shopping experience. Combing well known high street names with boutique shops and a mixture of historic Georgian and modern architecture, it is an ideal place for some retail therapy. You can walk they length of its high street, starting with modern shopping centre and by the time you reach the other end and The Pantiles, you will be transformed to another age. You are guaranteed to find what you are looking for, whether that be homeware to something special to wear, hi-fi equipment to a musical instrument.
With over 250 restaurants and places to eat in Tunbridge Wells, you are definitely spoilt for choice. From gourmet food to pizza, pubs to cafes, every taste is catered for.
If fine dining is where you want to start, then you must book a table at the Hotel Du Vin, not only a restaurant by hotel as well. If you are looking for something you probably haven’t tried before, how about Sofia’s Colombian Kitchen, where Sofia offers home-made authentic Colombian food but only on Friday and Saturday. It’s more like an informal dinner party with friends than a restaurant! If it’s a lunch or a coffee, then you must try Casa Da Claudia, a café just of the high street. They serve breakfast, brunch and lunch. Home of French influenced cuisine, is Rendez-Vous, a family run brasserie, in the back streets of Tunbridge Wells, offering locally sourced ingredients. By all the great reviews, this a favourite places to eat for many in the area. For the perfect lunch or dinner, try Vittle and Swig, a contemporary restaurant in the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells offering British and European cuisine. It can even be found in the 2018 UK’s Good Food Guide. If you are looking for an idyllic located pub that offers real ales from around the globe with great food, then the Toad Rock Retreat maybe the place for you. This multi award winning pub has an old English pub feel, with wooden beams, large comfy sofa area and roaring open fire has an inviting atmosphere. Whether its a relaxing drink with friends, or a meal with the family, you will want to return to the Toad Rock Retreat time and again.
These are just a handful of great places to eat in Tunbridge Wells, there are many more to be found.
There is much to do in and around Royal Tunbridge Wells. To start with you have The Spa Valley Railway, which allows you to travel in restored steam and diesel engines through a picturesque railway journey through parts of Kent and Sussex. You travel from Tunbridge Wells to High Rocks, Groombridge to Erbridge.
If it is a nice day, take a walk in Dunorian Park, landscaped in the 19th century by Victorian gardener, Robert Marnock. Have a picnic on the grassy slopes or hire a boat in the boating lake. Another landscaped park close by, is Calverley Grounds.
If you are seeking a little more culture then try Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery which offers local history exhibits, art collections, archaeology & collectibles.
If sport and fitness is your passion then Tunbridge Wells has you covered. From football to motorsport, rugby union and league to cricket, swimming to running, squash to curling, plus all the gyms, fitness centres and leisure centres in between.
Tunbridge Wells has two mainline railway stations, Tunbridge Wells station in the centre of the town, and High Brooms station is located north of the town. Both are run by Southeastern Railway on the electrified Hastings line.
The town has a mixture of state and private schools, both primary and secondary education. Tunbridge Wells has an unusual high number of grammar schools, these include, for boys, Skinners in Tunbridge Wells, and Judd, an easy journey into Tonbridge, are super-selective which vie for the top 11+ scorers. For girls, Tunbridge Wells Girls again takes those with an 11+ pass from within catchment.
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