Royal Tunbridge Wells

Albion Rd

Stanley Road Stanley Road Quarry Road

Com In and around merc ial Rd Beulah Road

St James Road Royal Tunbridge Wells

Grosvenor Road Upper Grosvenor Road Kirkdale Road Map of Tunnel Road Stone Street Meadow Camden Road Royal Tunbridge Wells Road Goods Station Road Wood St Historic Spa Town in an Area Dale St Albert St of Outstanding Natural Beauty Victoria Road Culverden St Garden Road MountRock Ephraim Villa Rd Rd

Calverley Rd Garden St Calverley St Road Li Camden Road Lansdowne me Hill Road Newton Calverley Road Carlton Road Dudley Road Road M ons d Calverley Park A26 York Road on Roa Theatres Civic Way Church Road Crescent Road

Railway Station Ave Pleasant Mount Calverley Grounds Castle Road Great L Wellington on Hall Mount Pleasant Road Pleasant Mount Walks | Historic Houses | Gardens Rocks do Arcade n Calverley Park Ro ad Fire Station Boutique Shopping | Restaurants Grove Hill RoadRegistry Office

Vale Road

Fir Tree Road FirTree The Tunbridge Wells King Grove Common Charles Castle High Street the Martyr Church St Warwick Road L ittle The Mount Forum London Road Chalybeate Spring Mo Major York's Road un This brochure can be t S ion

Tunbridge Wells A267 Berkeley Rd Common made available in large CumberlandGardensEden Road print and other formats. The Pantiles WarwickCumberland Park Walk Tel: 01892 554229

Frant Road

Mews Brighton Cumberland Lake d Nevill Terrace a o l R Eridge Road el dm Rodmell Road Ro Linden Park Road The Old Coach Park

Spa Valley Railway Superstore

Darryl Curcher, Peter Smith Jigsaw and Explore Kent Explore and Jigsaw Smith Peter Curcher, Darryl

www.visittunbridgewells.com

Council Borough Wells Tunbridge by Published Photography: Chris Parker, Mike Bartlett, David Hodgkinson, David Staines, Staines, David Hodgkinson, David Bartlett, Mike Parker, Chris Photography:

London

Tourist Information Golf Course Vineyard

Ancient Monument House Water Sports

Castle Leisure Centre/Swimming Pool Windmill

Church of Interest Nature Reserve Woodland & Parks

Country Park Other Attraction Air Museum

Farm Railway Station

Garden Steam Railway Town & country at its best Events & entertainment Bedgebury National Pinetum The Assembly Hall Theatre, Trinity Theatre and The and Forest offers The town Forum in Royal Tunbridge Wells offer a wide range of off-road cycling Royal Tunbridge Wells lies at the heart of the unspoilt entertainment from opera and ballet to comedy, music and and bridle tracks, beauty of the Weald of Kent. drama, and alongside these are many smaller venues. A as well as a number of music events take place in the area every year such network of scenic Retaining much of the charm of its Georgian heyday – as Jazz on the Pantiles, Bedgebury Forest Live, Black Deer walking routes, Royal Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area remains a Festival and Pub in the Park alongside lively local gigs. an imaginative favoured destination for those who want to enjoy elegant adventure play surroundings and easy access to the countryside within Around Royal Tunbridge Wells area, and Go an hour’s drive or train ride from the hustle and bustle of Royal Tunbridge Wells lies in the unspoilt beauty of the Ape, a tree top London. Weald, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. adventure course, Spa Valley Railway The landscape is a patchwork of rolling hills, ancient woods all set amongst the The Pantiles, the famous white 2,000 acres of Bedgebury Forest. colonnaded walkway, once the central and open heaths, home to hop gardens, orchards and vineyards, covering this part of the Garden of England in meeting place for visiting gentry, is the The striking remains of Bayham Abbey, dating from 1208, historic heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells beautiful blossom in spring, cool verdure in summer and vibrant colours in autumn. stand in a beautiful and peaceful setting alongside the River and today is buzzing with shops and Teise next to a Georgian gothic house. cafés. This is also the site of the original The many small towns and villages in the Chalybeate Spring, discovered in 1606. area still retain the true flavour of the English Churches Its reputation for health giving properties countryside – take time to visit Goudhurst, The area is dotted with many intriguing and unusual was the reason for the growth of the Lamberhurst, Matfield, Brenchley, Hawkhurst churches: King Charles the Martyr Church in Chapel town as a fashionable place to visit and and Benenden. Cranbrook, known as the Capital Place in Royal Tunbridge Wells; St Dunstan’s in be seen. The town’s historic past is very of the Weald, was once the bustling centre of The Chalybeate Spring Cranbrook, known locally as the ‘Cathedral of the much reflected in its architecture – from the region’s medieval cloth industry. Today the Weald’; St Mary’s at Speldhurst with its stunning Regency villas and large Victorian houses, original, and still working, Union Mill stands as stained glass windows by William Morris and Sir many designed by Decimus Burton, to pretty clapboard testament to this important part of the region’s Edward Burne Jones; and All Saints’ Church in cottages. Evidence of these can be found in the ‘village’ area past as it overlooks this pretty country town. The Tudeley with its magnificent windows designed by situated behind the old High Street, in Mount Ephraim and in Cranbrook Museum nearby reveals more about Marc Chagall, are just four examples – all well worth Calverley Park and Calverley Park Crescent. the local area’s history, trade and industry. a visit. At the centre of the town The Common has been Bayham Abbey a place of diversion for residents and visitors alike Castles & historic houses Golf for several hundred years. Its large open green There are more castles, historic houses and gardens There are a number of golf courses in the area. The 18- spaces have unusually survived the test of time and concentrated in this area than any other in England, hole Nevill Golf Club welcomes visitors and is within 10 nowadays it is a lovely place to walk and for children making Tunbridge Wells the perfect base for a short break minutes’ drive of Royal Tunbridge Wells. In the picturesque to play, especially on the popular and unusual outcrop for history and garden lovers alike, as well as for those who village of Lamberhurst visitors are welcomed at the 18- of sandstone rock, known locally as Wellington just want to relax and unwind. Rocks. hole parkland golf course that straddles the River Teise. Penshurst Place, home of the Sidney family for 450 There are also 18 and 9 hole courses at Hever Castle and years; Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Guided walks & Heritage Walking Trail 9 holes at Hawkhurst Golf Club. Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII; and Leeds Group guided walking tours of The Pantiles and the Castle, known as ‘the loveliest castle in the world’, are old High Street are conducted by accredited Blue Badge all splendid examples of fine historical buildings set in Walking Guides. The tours are an excellent way for your group to spectacular grounds and gardens and within easy reach of The area around Royal Tunbridge Wells learn more about the colourful history of Royal Tunbridge Royal Tunbridge Wells. The fairytale castles at Bodiam and has an extensive network of footpaths and Wells and its many famous visitors. For bookings, including Tonbridge, both strongholds against invading armies, still bridleways. Long distance routes include bespoke tours, please contact the Tourist Information stand guard over the River Rother and the River Medway. the Tunbridge Wells Circular, the Centre in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Weald Way, the North Downs Way, Chartwell, once the country home of Sir Winston the Pilgrims Way and the Sussex Border The Heritage Walking Trail links together a series of Churchill; Knole, the largest private house in England and Path. There are many delightful shorter special plaques commemorating famous residents and Ightham Mote, an enchanting 650 year old moated manor walks in the woodlands and country visitors to Royal Tunbridge Wells over the past four house, are now all owned by the National Trust and full parks that are scattered around the area. centuries. It is a wonderful way of discovering more about of fascinating historical treasures. Chiddingstone Castle the historic buildings and streets of the town and its famous contains the intriguing antique collections of its last private visitors, such as Princess (later Queen) Victoria, William owner. Cycling Makepeace Thackeray and EM Forster. Copies of the Trail Walking at Sissinghurst From strenuous mountain biking to are available online and from the Tourist Information Gardens family friendly routes, Tunbridge Wells Centre or look out for the free audio walking trail coming offers a wealth of natural beauty to enhance any bike soon on visittunbridgewells.com. Come and see how the area lives up to its reputation as the ride. Bedgebury National Garden of England. It not only has more than its fair share of Pinetum & Forest has tracks Shopping the country’s top gardens, but also has many gardens which for family rides and mountain have remained more of a secret. biking enthusiasts of all ages Royal Tunbridge Wells offers one of the most and abilities. Bewl Water unique shopping experiences in south east Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Country Park provides England with its unrivalled combination of Scotney Castle Garden (surely another great background for small specialist shops, designer boutiques one of the most romantic gardens mountain biking around the and big high street names. in the world), both provide a lake shore. Details of other profusion of colour in the spring National Cycle Routes through The Pantiles is home to a variety of and summer months. the Wealden countryside can delightful shops, galleries and lovely cafés. be found at explorekent.org Many of the shops in Chapel Place and in Groombridge Place Gardens has the old High Street still retain their original much to offer from award winning Cycling at Bedgebury Victorian frontages and now sell designer formal terraced gardens and topiary to the fantasy wilderness of clothing, home furnishings, gifts and Pashley Manor Gardens jewellery. the Enchanted Forest. Mount Pleasant leads into the ‘modern’ part of the town Hole Park Garden and Merriments are just two of the and to Calverley Road, a busy, partly pedestrianised area ‘secret’ gardens tucked away in the beautiful countryside, For further information which has various major high street names to hand. The both peaceful and colourful. Royal Tunbridge Wells Tourist Information Centre main entrance to Royal Victoria Place shopping centre is The Corn Exchange, The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells Pashley Manor Gardens, with its display of over 30,000 also found here. Kent TN2 5TE tulips, combines the colour and tranquillity of the garden with the beauty of modern sculpture and art. Telephone: +44 (0)1892 515675 Food & drink E-mail: [email protected] The Tunbridge Wells region has developed a reputation The world-renowned gardens at Great Dixter, Sheffield Park www.visittunbridgewells.com as one of the best places to find good food and drink in and Wakehurst Place are also within easy driving distance of the south east. The town and its surrounding area boasts a Royal Tunbridge Wells. @TWellsTourism @VisitTunbridgeWells wide range of excellent traditional English pubs, brasseries and fine restaurants, serving local produce. Visitors can More places to visit Accessibility For information tel: 01892 515675 or also find local produce to buy at local markets. Don’t miss visit www.disabledgo.com. the annual CAMRA Real Ale and Cider Festival as part of The reservoir at Bewl Water Country Park is the The Tourist Information Centre has level access. September’s Food and Drink Month. largest area of inland water in the South East, with RADAR keys are also available. 21 km of shoreline, and Ashdown Forest, the setting and inspiration for AA Milne’s Winnie the How to get here Pooh books, both are perfect for walking and Royal Tunbridge Wells is 20 minutes drive from the M25 exploring. and M20 motorways and can be reached in less than an hour from the Channel Tunnel terminal at Folkestone and For a fun-filled day out for the family, why in just over one hour from the Channel ports at Dover. not hop on the Spa Valley Railway Gatwick airport is 40 minutes and Heathrow airport one and travel by steam train between Royal hour away by car. Tunbridge Wells and Eridge, stopping at High Rocks and Groombridge on the Royal Tunbridge Wells is less than an hour by train from way. London Charing Cross, Gatwick Airport and Ashford International rail stations. Regular direct train services operate to Tunbridge Wells from London and from Hastings. Please call 03457 484950 for further details or visit nationalrail.co.uk.

Cranbrook

Every care has been taken in compiling this brochure, however, TW1795 Tunbridge Wells Borough Council cannot accept responsibility for any subsequent errors, omissions or changes.