Tunbridge Wells
The town of Tunbridge Wells is located in west Kent, not far from the border with East Sussex. It was founded around the Chalybeate Spring, which was discovered in 1606 by Dudley, Lord North, a courtier to James I. The high iron content of the water was believed to have healing qualities so the town developed as a spa town. The name derives from Tonbridge, just a few miles away. In those days it was known as Tunbridge but later changed its name to avoid confusing people – without much success!
The word ‘chalybeate’ is derived from the Latin word for steel meaning ‘containing iron’. Many people claimed the waters had health-giving properties as they contained ‘vitriol’ and could cure ‘colic’, ‘melancholy’ and ‘the vapours’.
The Pantiles is an attractive area of upper walks created in 1700, named for the tiles used in the paving. In 1793 the tiles were removed, replaced with stone flagging and the region renamed The Parade - but in 1887 the original name was restored.
In 1909, King Edward VII bestowed the town with its ‘Royal’ title. This was to officially acknowledge the popularity of the town amongst royalty and the fashionable aristocracy and it became the place to see and be seen. Tunbridge Wells has a reputation for Georgian elegance and natural beauty and lies in the heart of some of the most scenic stretches of countryside in England surrounded by the unspoiled beauty of the Weald.