Many people who are considering a move are drawn to Royal Tunbridge Wells because quite frankly it’s a very nice place to live! But here we hope to answer the question – why move to Tunbridge Wells.
The town’s rich History
Tunbridge Wells enjoys an interesting heritage from its original appeal as a spa destination. The chance discovery in 1606 of a spring with distinctive reddish-tinted mineral deposits led to the development of the Pantiles and later on, Royal Tunbridge Wells. Royal visitors flocked to the town seeking cures and the town was given its “Royal” prefix in 1909 during the Edwardian era.
The area is steeped in history, the most famous being the Pantiles with its elegant collonaded walkway bordered by 17th-century buildings. The Pantiles hosts an eclectic mix of coffee shops, bistros, open-air dining and bandstand with the popular ‘jazz on the Pantiles’ in the summer months, and weekend artisan markets.
The large number and variety of amenities
The recently completed Amelia Scott, in the town centre hosts the towns museum, library, arts heritage, culture and well-being services and café
Tunbridge Wells has an abundance of open green spaces, with Tunbridge Wells Common which has rocky sandstone outcrops known as Wellington Rocks, The Forum, beautiful woodland vistas, Linden Park Cricket Ground and elevated views over the town. Most parishes within the town have their own greenspaces, the best known being Dunorlan Park with its boating lake where you can while away a summers day on a pedalo or canoe. The adjacent fields host annual events such as Pub in the Park.
The main town centre has the Royal Victoria Place with its range of national stores, whilst the ‘old high street’ hosts independent stores, eateries, and restaurants.
Transport
Tunbridge Wells is a popular commuter town with two mainline stations on the Hastings line, with fast trains to London in under one hour, to London Bridge and Charing Cross and many houses are within walking distance of the stations. Located just outside the M25 via the A21, the national motorway network is within close reach, providing connections to nearby Gatwick Airport and Heathrow, as well as the Channel Tunnel and ferry ports.
Schools
One of the biggest draws of Tunbridge Wells is its outstanding education system. The town is home to a number of highly-rated primary and secondary schools, as well as the highly sought-after grammar school with admission being via the Kent Test. There are two grammar schools for boys, The Skinners School, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys and for girls, Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School. There are two very popular church schools for secondary age, Bennett Memorial Diocesan School and St Gregory’s Catholic School.
Each area has a primary school with several of these being church schools which also host youth groups.
Speak to @SarahMott for further information about the local schools in Tunbridge Wells
Leisure
There is a plethora of leisure amenities in addition to the parks, several of which have free outdoor gym equipment and courts and skate parks, together with a wide range of gyms and clubs including tennis, cricket, bowls and squash clubs. There is a multiplex cinema and Tunbridge Wells Indoor leisure centre with a large indoor pool.
Countryside
Located in “The Garden of England” this area has some of the most beautiful countryside with both the North and South Downs, together with the coast all within one hour’s drive.
Read more:
Sarah also wrote an article on this topic for the Times of Tunbridge Wells which is well worth a read!
Read it in full here: https://issuu.com/one-media/docs/totw_19_april_23/18
