Tunbridge Wells

The Pantiles

In Tunbridge Wells for a family wedding and at a loose end for a couple of hours, I took the opportunity of a stroll around the town and its environs.

I found this circular walk on the AA website and was delighted to find that I was able to join the route right outside the hotel we were staying in - in Crescent Road. From here, the route led uphill to the entrance to Calverley Park, a nineteenth century housing development designed by Decimus Burton. Once through the arched gateway, you swing right to pass through the landscaped park of Calverley Grounds. The central flower display was a delight.

You leave the and head down to join the very pleasant High Street. I loved the windows above this pair of shops.

Further along, there are overhanging trees with benches on a high pavement, creating what seemed to be to be rather a French atmosphere.

At end you walk through an alley, where I found a second hand bookshop and tried to buy a West Kent Pevsner - sadly without success.

Crossing the road brings you to the famous Pantiles, with its colonnades and 17th and 18th century shops. The Pantiles and indeed Tunbridge Wells itself owe their existence to the discovery of the Chalybeate Spring in 1606. Chalybeate (pronounced Ka-lee-bee-at) means iron-rich, and this is apparently evident in the unique taste of the water. The spring water can still be sampled at this elegant building.

The stage stage of the walk leads across the common ...

... and along a road through parkland which is lined with imposing 19th century mansions. I especially liked the ceramic tiled decoration on this one.

After a while you take a right turn along a path which soon emerges into a private road with another fine array of enormous houses, this time of more varying vintages.

A bit further on, after some woodland and walking along by the main road you enter an area where there is a jumble of volcanic rock. It is not too hard to see how the central one acquired its name - Toad Rock.

Now you follow the A26 back into TW. As you approach the town, you reach Mount Ephraim. It is not much of a mountain but it does offer a good vantage point over the town. There is more volcanic rock in evidence here and some houses have been built in surprising proximity to it.

You now descend to approach the town and pass by Thackeray's house, now a restaurant. This charming building has a distinctly north American air about it.

From here, a route which skirts the pedestrianised shopping streets returned me to the hotel and the wedding preparations.

Distance: allegedly 3 miles, but seemed somewhat longer.

From: the AA website.

Rating: three and a half stars. A good way to get to know the town, but there was a lot of road walking outside the town centre.

Sightings

Right at the start of my stroll across the common, I spotted this White Letter Hairstreak resting on the path. A first for me. I don't think it was in too good health however as it seemed oblivious to my close presence as I took my photo.