Royal Tunbridge Wells

We have been staying in Royal Tunbridge Wells at the Hotel du Vin while we have been exploring the sights of Kent and, to a lesser extent, East Sussex. I thought I would end with a short review of the town itself starting opposite the hotel with these two art deco buildings: the Assembly Hall and the Court and Police Station.

 

Turning right out of the hotel we went through this handsome arch which led us to Calverley Grounds. It dates back to the early-1800s when it formed part of a development by Decimus Burton then called Calverley New Town. The historic grounds were opened to the public in the 1920s and are listed as a conservation area. Burton was one of the foremost English architects and landscapers of the 19th century. Among many others, Burton's works included Hyde Park, the Wellington Arch, St James's Park, Regent Park ....

Heading south along Mount Pleasant we passed the splendid clock tower of Tunbridge Wells railway station opened in 1846 ...

... and opposite, the grandly named Great Hall.  It was opened as the “New Public Rooms” in 1872 and is often referred to as being in the French Empire style – a sort of modest version of the Louvre extension. It has also been described as a sort of Burlington Arcade - or Shopping Mall. In 1983 planning permission was granted to redevelop the site, retaining the original façade.

We carried on along the High Street which has some imposing buildings.

At the end we crossed the road and headed - of course - to the famous Pantiles, first passing the church of King Charles the Martyr (which was dedicated to the cult of Charles I who was executed in 1649). The original chapel was the first substantial building constructed in Tunbridge Wells and it eventually became itself a parish church in 1889.

We quickly reached 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.

Beyond the Spring you come to the shopping area of the Pantiles with its colonnades and 17th and 18th century shops ...

                                    

...and a fine clock.

On the left at a lower level was the former 19th century Corn Exchange, now the Pantiles Arcade which sells English silver, art glass and paperweights, Tunbridge Ware, porcelain & pottery, Georgian glass, bronzes, chandeliers, coins and Art Deco furniture.

To conclude, Royal Tunbridge Wells is one only three towns which can call themselves "Royal". The other two are ... Royal Leamington Spa and Royal Wooton Bassett.