The Pantiles – Something in the Water!

The chance discovery of a mineral spring in 1606 in a wooded valley marked the unlikely beginning of Royal Tunbridge Wells. It quickly became one of the most fashionable destinations in England focused around what became The Pantiles. Word spread through court circles, and soon the great and the good (including royalty) were travelling to this rural retreat to drink the healing waters, dance in the open air, browse the shops, flirt, gossip, and gamble away their afternoons. By the early 18th century, Tunbridge Wells had become the place to see and be seen: a genteel escape away from London but where scandals were whispered of behind fans. The Pantiles — with its colonnaded walk, elegant lodging houses, and daily parade of visitors — became the beating heart of this new social world. Today, the Pantiles retains its Georgian splendour as a retail and leisure destination, still blissfully cocooned from the the outside world.

• Monday 14 September, 10:30am – 11:45am
• Friday 18 September, 10:30am – 11:45am
• Saturday 19 September, 10:30am – 11:45am
• Sunday 20 September, 10:30am – 11:45am AND 2pm – 3:45pm

Pre-booking required: Book online here (If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact David Woosnam on 07950 200031 and I can sign you up manually) – max number of people per walk: 14

Estimated Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

Start Location

The walk will start and end outside the chemist at No. 4 The Pantiles (across the road from the Church of King Charles the Martyr).

Accessibility details

The walk will include approx. total 10 steps up and 10 steps down.