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Town in Kent, England
Photo: The original uploader was Palefire at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Royal Tunbridge Wells is a town in west Kent on the border with East Sussex, in the South East of England.
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Chalybeate Spring is in The Pantiles, London Road. See what created the wonderful vistas of the town at Chalybeate Spring. On some days, it is possible to drink the metallic water, however, the spring is sometimes not in use.
From Victorian oil paintings and archaeology to historic fashions and toys. Admission free.
Once a private landscaped garden, this park is well used by locals, having been restored following a Heritage Lottery Fund award of £2.1 million. There are two car parks: a small one on Pembury Road (the access in and out is not the easiest), and a larger one on Halls Hole Road, a country lane at the bottom of the park. Both car parks fill up quickly on sunny days. If you're staying in town it's only a 15- to 20-minute walk from the main shopping area. Kids and kids-at-heart will like the boating lake, and there is also a café selling snacks, drinks and ice creams.
Features an impressive medieval manor house. One of the oldest gardens in England. Includes a 100-metre-long peony border, the Union Jack garden and many fruit trees and borders. There is a large adventure playground for children. Visit on the first Saturday of the month to tie a visit with attending the monthly farmers market to pick up some cakes, cheeses, jams, bread and other delicious treats.
Groombridge. Winner of the Top Garden Attraction in the UK by Good Britain Guide 2000. (Temporarily closed as of Nov 2024, reopening 2025)
The largest man-made body of water in the South East, for walking and cycling, sailing, windsurfing and fishing. Admission is at the main entrance to park near the rather tacky visitor center. However many public rights of way approach the water, including one across the dam itself and these are open access.
Once a working hop farm, it now offers a wide variety of attractions and events.
Beautiful lakes, with rambling, bike and bridle trails.
A National Trust-owned attraction. The small castle, surrounded by a moat, is very picturesque. The castle is very small with the well-managed gardens being the main attraction for many visitors. Like many National Trust properties, the tearoom serves delicious cakes.
Walk along the oldest part of the town. Great in warm weather when the various pubs and restaurants put out table and chairs and the clientele along here spill out into it giving it a great atmosphere.
Take a walk and look at the impressive sandstone outcrops linked by eleven bridges that provide scenic walks in acres of peaceful woodland.
Go swimming, play tennis or have a game of squash.
Carefully restored steam trains operate through 3½ miles of glorious countryside from Tunbridge Wells to Eridge. The line starts at the old Tunbridge Wells West station near Sainsbury's, with trains calling at High Rocks and Groombridge.
Very near Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge is not as upmarket but houses this stunning ancestral home with gardens.
Curling rink, bring a group and learn. There isn't a skating or hockey rink.
It makes a great day's hiking trip especially if you bring a picnic along. There are many entry and exit points on the footpaths so although the entire circular walk is 27.5 mi you can easily do a much shorter hike starting and ending in the town itself. Many of the walks take you through pretty villages, atmospheric woodlands, farmland (and through livestock fields), past churches, along streams/rivers and past lots of pubs. You can grab a copy of a map with details of the different walks in the tourist information centre in the Pantiles. There is lots of wildlife around – including birds, livestock, snakes and lizards (if you're lucky!) If you want to do some camping there are several camping areas on route.
This converted church hosts a range of theatre, dance, comedy and music events. It also shows "arthouse" films on a regular basis. Bar/café available.
Beautiful pizzas in this Italian restaurant.
Quaint gastro-pub in Langton Green with great decor and a garden backing onto a field, lovely in the summer months. Excellent food (especially the chunky chips!), a few options for vegetarians and vegans. Can be difficult to find parking in the summer.
A bistro in the middle of town, near the town hall, that offers excellent food and a wide selection of wines. ~£40.
Great friendly staff and a great option for lunch or quick coffee (only open during the day).
Authentic Indian restaurant at the heart of The Pantiles. Masala is the largest restaurant in the town, and part of the Nizam Indian chain.
Consistently high quality seafood from the British Isles, as well as some game. ~£30.
One of the Japanese noodle bar chain restaurants. Quite affordable. ~£14.
A much-loved independent pizza restaurant offering long-fermented sourdough pizza, salads, cocktails, wine, tiramisu. Always busy, be sure to book ahead, especially on weekends.
Said to be the oldest pub in Tunbridge Wells, this pub has plenty of character and warm open fires.
Friendly bar specialising in beer near the centre of town. Regular events held, a wide range of drinks and much of what they stock is available to be bought in bulk.
This former opera house, and later bingo hall, was converted to a pub a few years back. The interior is mostly intact and pretty magnificent to explore from the comfort of a chair with a drink. If you can, catch the legendary annual 'Spoons Opera when the pub is briefly returned to its former glory as a functioning Opera House. It's a vast boozer with a certain charm, always busy, largely due to the dramatically cheaper beer here than in other watering holes in the town.
Cosy, traditional tavern near the centre of town. Hidden behind some houses just off the main road going through the town so it stays quiet. Friday is soul night and the first Sunday of every month is open mic night from 8PM. Pub quiz every Tuesday at 8:30PM.
The George
The Forum Basement
Legendary boozer, traditional pub serving a variety of craft beer, ale, and more. Home to the Forum Basement, live music venue. Live performances, DJ nights, comedy nights, and more.
The Ragged
Brasserie and pub by day, vibrant bar by night, serving French-inspired dishes alongside British pub classics. A wide selection of craft beer, wine, and spirits, in a friendly atmosphere.
Taproom, serving real ale, craft beer, and cocktails.
A Victorian spa hotel (circa 1860) now run by Travelodge. The public areas retain many original Victorian features although the rooms are Travelodge corporate bland. There is a charge for parking.
Country pub with six rooms in this Georgian mansion above town by sandstone bluffs. Not every beer garden can boast a 6th century cave for cosy rendezvous. Excellent dining.
A secondhand book shop in Chapel Place. The interior is incredible and looks like something out of a Harry Potter movie. It is very quaint with books dating back from the early 20th century including first editions.
By train
Tunbridge Wells station is in the town centre at the bottom of Mount Pleasant Road, close to the historic High Street and 5 minutes' walk from the Pantiles.
By bus
Arriva is the main local bus operator in and around Tunbridge Wells, although other companies also operate some services:
By taxi
The main taxi rank is at the train station, although you can order a taxi by telephone to pick you up from anywhere.
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