In Georgian times this popular spa town gained a reputation as the place to see and be seen amongst royalty and fashionable members of the aristocracy. Retaining much of the charm and elegance of its Georgian heyday, Royal Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area today remain a favoured destination for those who want to enjoy elegant surroundings in the countryside and yet just a short distance from the hustle and bustle of London.
The town owes its existence to the chance discovery of the Chalybeate Spring in 1606 by a young nobleman, Dudley Lord North.
Visitors flocked to the small settlement which developed alongside the Spring which later became known as Tunbridge Wells.
Queen Henrietta Maria (Mother of King Charles II) Queen Anne, Princess (later Queen) Victoria, Samuel Pepys, Daniel Defoe and
William Makepeace Thackery all became regular visitors to the wells. The town was granted "Royal" prefix in 1909 by King Edward VII.
We arrived in the rain to the area called The Pantiles
wanting a light lunch before heading back to the 'traffic'
The town owes its existence to the chance discovery of the Chalybeate Spring in 1606 by a young nobleman, Dudley Lord North.
Visitors flocked to the small settlement which developed alongside the Spring which later became known as Tunbridge Wells.
Queen Henrietta Maria (Mother of King Charles II) Queen Anne, Princess (later Queen) Victoria, Samuel Pepys, Daniel Defoe and
William Makepeace Thackery all became regular visitors to the wells. The town was granted "Royal" prefix in 1909 by King Edward VII.
We arrived in the rain to the area called The Pantiles
wanting a light lunch before heading back to the 'traffic'
Safe to say that nobody would be sitting outside
However one can still stay dry under the overhangs
The Cake Shed - too early I am afraid, it is lunch we are wanting
We settle for here and it looks like Alan is chatting up the girls again!
and decided on Welsh Rarebit with bacon and side salad
If you have never had Welsh Rarebit the mixture is made up of
flour, butter, strong beer, strong Cheddar Cheese, English mustard,
Worcestershire Sauce and black pepper and grilled till it bubbles.
Replenished and having a stroll
Lots to do and see in this town but we want get onto the motorways before the rush hour traffic
About 50 minutes to home but takes much longer if the traffic is bad. Just getting through the town can take that!