Town Profile But it was Beau Nash, a celebrated


dandy from Bath and a leader of 18th century fashion, who really put the town on the map. In 1735, Nash appointed himself Master of Ceremonies in Tunbridge Wells and retained control of the entertainments provided for visitors until his death in 1762. Bath, it was said, was his kingdom, and Tunbridge Wells a colony of that kingdom. As well as organising entertainments, Nash established strict rules for correct behaviour. Under Nash, Tunbridge Wells attained the height of its popularity as a fashionable resort, attended by royalty, nobility and the most famous names in the country. A pub in the town is named after Beau Nash, while The Ragged Trousers pub exhibits a plaque on the exterior in Nash's honour. However, fashions in leisure change


and, following Dr Richard Russell’s 1750 treatise advocating sea water as a treatment for diseases of the glands, sea bathing became more popular than visiting the spas, which resulted in fewer visitors coming to the town. Nevertheless, the advent of turnpike roads gave Tunbridge Wells better communications – for example, on weekdays a public coach made nine return journeys between Tunbridge Wells and London, and postal services


operated every morning except Monday and every evening except Saturday. How Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells must hark back to those days! By the early 19th century Tunbridge


Wells experienced growth as a place for the well-to-do to visit and make their homes. It became a fashionable resort town again, following visits by the Duchess of Kent, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert The town was


eventually made “Royal” by Edward VII in 1909. The most


notable royal addition in recent years was the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre, opened by Princess Diana in 1992. It boasts almost 30,000sqm of retail space.


Shops, eateries, theatres - and so much history


COUNTY tourism chiefs have pinpointed Tunbridge Wells - and its High Weald surrounds - as one of five places on a must- see list for 2011. The promotion says


visitors will find the town makes an ideal base, not only for walking and cycling in the miles of open, green countryside, but also for exploring one of the UK's finest and most concentrated selections of castles, gardens and stately homes open to the public. These include Scotney


Castle Garden, Groombridge Place Gardens, Penshurst Place, Bedgebury Pinetum and Finchcocks Museum of Music. The town itself has been


attracting visitors for more than 400 years. As the place to see and be seen in Georgian England, it has retained its charm and popularity today as a place to relax, shop, eat, drink and enjoy the finer things in life.


are served by a traditional “Dipper” in Georgian dress. Alternatively, pop into the Tunbridge Wells Museum to see examples of its Georgian heyday, or go to the Art Gallery next door to catch one of the national travelling exhibitions or displays of contemporary art. Small specialist shops selling


everything from cooking utensils to wedding dresses, antique clocks to designer jewellery, are tucked away along the pretty Pantiles, which is complemented by quality, designer and individual shops in the High Street and the modern Royal Victoria Place shopping mall at the top of the town. Food lovers can feast on a wide range of cuisines, including traditional English, modern European, Chinese,


Thai, Indian, Persian and Mexican. Wine bars featuring live jazz music, bustling brasseries, award-winning gourmet eateries and cosy traditional pubs are all to be found in and around the town. Catch an alternative comedy


performance, an off-West End show, ballet, opera or art house film at either the Trinity Theatre or Assembly Hall Theatre. If you're visiting at weekends, use the opportunity to stock up on some local Kentish produce at the weekly farmers' markets alternating between the Pantiles and outside the museum building, or even some French or Italian goodies at special markets held at various times throughout the year. For more information, visit www.visitheartofkent.com


The elegant Pantiles colonnade is at


the heart of the historic part of town and home to the Chalybeate Spring - the spot where it all began for Tunbridge Wells. The famous spring still flows and it is


possible to try the iron-rich waters for yourself during the summer when they


Oats & Hops & The Pantiles, Images courtesy of Mike Bartlett Mid Kent Living 13


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