"Royal Tunbridge Wells - A description" Tunbridge Wells by RTWhistory

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS is one of the best known inland holiday resorts in England.This friendly and attractive town is situated on the Kent / Sussex border about mid-way between London and Hastings. To the East lies the Kent fruit and hop-growing countryside known as the “Garden of England”, whilst to the South are the woods and mixed farms of Sussex.

The town became famous following the discovery by Lord North, a courtier to James I, of the medicinal qualities of iron impregnated water in the chalybeate wells. Royalty were frequent visitors and Tunbridge Wells became a popular resort for high society. Queen Victoria in her early life often came to the town. In 1909 Edward VII granted the title of “Royal” to the town as it is now formally called “Royal Tunbridge Wells”.

Today, in 2003, Tunbridge Wells is principally a residential town and tourist resort with some light industry on the outskirts. There are excellent shopping facilities and first class hotels. There are modern houses and places of historic interest. Much of the old world charm has been retained. Examples are the historic Pantiles with the Chalybeate Spring and the beautiful Common which remains unspoilt although the racecourse, much appreciated by Royalty at one time, has long since disappeared. The town has many parks, recreational facilities including one of the Kent County Cricket Grounds and several golf courses. There are numerous old and charming villages around Tunbridge Wells. Within a short drive many places of historic interest including Hever Castle (home of Anne Boleyn in her youth), Penshurst Place, Bodiam Castle, Sissinghurst Castle (with its famous gardens) and Chatwell (home of Sir Winston Churchill).

Royal Tunbridge Wells is a town of interest and charm.

Royal Victoria Place

Facts and Figures

The site covers 8.5 acres.
Construction work began in January 1989 and took 32 months to complete.
During the busiest phase of construction, 2,000 people were employed on site.
Earth excavations went down 35m in depth - to within 2m of the top of the rail tunnel between Tunbridge Wells and High Brooms.
1,700 new parking spaces were created.
Natural light floods through the glazed roof of the covered malls which converge on a spectacular Palm House atrium, inspired by the Great Greenhouse at Kew Gardens. The palm trees were flown in from Florida and stand approximately 9m high.

Royal Victoria Place was opened in 1992 by Diana, Princess of Wales and has since become one of the most popular shopping centres in the south-east and includes a department store, major retail outlets, food court and indoor leisure facilities.
In 1993, RVP won the Best New Shopping Centre award from the British Council of Shopping Centres.

French Market on The Pantiles

Brunomart featured 23 stalls, selling a range of goods from wine and cheese to bread and meat.

The French food market will be repeated during December with a festive theme.

• Pros:sleepy
• Cons:not an energetic place
• In a nutshell:the main business of the place and these people who have nothing to do anywhere else seem to be the only people who have anything to do at Tunbridge Wells ! (Daniel Dafoe 1616 -1731)