Tourist Profile
Explore the making of Tunbridge Wells
A FATEFUL moment back in 1606 played a big part in making Tunbridge Wells the place it is today. It was in this year that young nobleman Dudley, Lord North
discovered the Chalybeate Spring, which was fundamental to the development of the area as a favoured resort of the gentry and royalty during the 17th and 18th centuries, and later in forming the town's character and reputation as a pleasant place to live, work and visit. Six years ago, to mark the 400th anniversary of this formative event, a series of commemorative claret-coloured plaques were erected to mark buildings of particular significance in the town's history. These plaques were all linked together in a special anniversary heritage walking trail.
Long or short Each point along the route is marked with a special symbol. The blue route takes two hours, the purple route one hour. You can begin at any point on the route, but the Corn Exchange or the museum are suggested as the best starting points.
Theatrical beginnings The Corn Exchange dates back to 1801 when Sarah Baker, a dancer and flamboyant personality of her day, had a theatre built on the Lower Walk of The Pantiles. This later became the Corn Exchange. The Goddess of the Harvest still stands above the building, which is bustling as ever with shops and a café.
Historical
significance The Pantiles, right, is a famous, traffic- free shopping area that still retains the spirit of bygone times, coming alive with events such as open-air jazz concerts and continental markets all year round. It is also along here that you will come across the Chalybeate Spring, top right, discovered by Lord North while he was riding through Waterdown Forest which was once sited here. The iron in the water was thought to have health- restoring properties and soon drew many visitors to the area. Each summer a 'dipper' dispenses water from the spring, which still flows in front of the Bath House. This dates back to 1804 and below it the original Cold Bath still exists.
Rolling hills Calverley Grounds is a town centre park with much to offer, including scented lavender beds, the sunken Italian garden, the Golden Jubilee rose beds (each rose was chosen for its royal connections) and a bowling green. The splendid 19th century private
residences in Calverley Park and Calverley Park Cresent are the work of architect Decimus Burton, who left his mark on the town with this development and several other buildings.
12 Mid Kent Living
Novel ideas Mount Ephraim is where novelist William Makepeace Thackeray spent much of his childhood. He often stayed in Belleville, a cottage that nestles on a rocky slope, below which donkeys were once stabled.
Further down the hillside, the unusual Gibraltar Cottage rests against a wall of rock. There has been a cottage on this site since 1700.
Old and new The High Street, perhaps more than any other part of the town, forms a link between
the old and new. While many shops retain beautiful original Victorian fronts, these lovely old buildings house a wide variety of modern shops and boutiques with delightful and original items, designer clothes and restaurants. The old bookshops and speciality shops in and around Chapel Place are a browser’s paradise.
Religious conclusion The walk ends at the church of King Charles the Martyr, which was first erected in 1678 thanks to generous visitor donations. The present church features a turret and a charming clock presented in 1760 by Lavinia Fenton, actress and mistress of the Duke of Bolton.
Independent or guided The trails can be walked individually or with the help of a blue badge qualified guide. The tours take place every Thursday and Saturday morning at 11.30am, between March and December, costing £4 (including a glass of Chalybeate Spring water). All tours start and finish at the Tourist Information Centre.
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