One of the largest shopping centres in the area
Royal Tunbridge Wells is one of the largest shopping centres in the area we cover and tends to be the go-to place if you want to have a shopping spree or a night out or to meet up with friends.
Discover more about Tunbridge Wells
The historic spa town offers a huge range of shops from your High Street chains up in the centre of town, to the more boutique shops on the old High Street and colonnaded Pantiles and the retail park on the outskirts of the town. It has a large theatre in the centre of town plus a multi-screen cinema and bowlplex in the retail park. There are numerous bars, cafes and restaurants, serving all manor of food and drink. In the summer, the Pantiles host Jazz on the Pantiles, which is a popular weekly event with live music on the bandstand, whilst people eat, drink and dance.
The town offers a number of schools, most notably, the three long-standing grammar schools (2 boys and one girls) that continue to be a draw to the area, and there are also a number of state primary and secondary schools/academies and preparatory schools.
The town grew when a medicinal spring was discovered in 1606 and became particularly popular in the Victorian era. It was granted a “Royal” prefix by King Edward VII, who recognised its popularity amongst royal and aristocratic visitors, including his mother, Queen Victoria. The town displays some beautiful period properties and has retained many open green spaces including large parks and a common.
The town is also popular amongst commuters with regular fast services to London Charring Cross and Cannon Street (London Bridge in about 50 minutes).