Tunbridge Wells
Royal Tunbridge Wells is a spa town in the heart of the South East of England.
Since the discovery of the Clalybeate Spring by a young nobleman 400 years ago in 1606, the reputation of Tunbridge Wells has changed little over the past four centuries and is still considered as one of the places to be seen.
The popularity of Tunbridge Wells was officially recognised by King Edward VII in 1909 when granting Tunbridge Wells its much recognised 'Royal' prefix. Royal Tunbridge Wells is one of only two towns in the United Kingdom to be awarded with the prestigeous title, the other being Royal Leamington Spa.
Upon discovery of the Chalybeate Spring, a colonnaded walkway was built and is best known today as the Pantiles. Today, the Pantiles is a bustling scene of cafes, restaurants, bars and prestigeous shops. Once attracting visitors from all over England to sample the 'waters', which can still be done, Tunbridge Wells is now attracting visitors from all over the world.
Tunbridge Wells has excellant transport facilities and can be reached from London, by train, in under an hour.
One of the most famous architechtural images of Royal Tunbridge Wells,The Pantiles, is captured in this painting by, Emma McIntyre.
