Royal Tunbridge Wells Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Royal Tunbridge Wells featuring signage
This spa town is home to a wealth of historic attractions, interesting museums and independent shops.

Royal Tunbridge Wells rose to prominence during the 17th and 18th centuries as a spa destination, attracting upper-class visitors with its mineral-water spring. The spa craze has faded over the centuries. Today, you can enjoy the town’s shops and restaurants, and admire the elegant buildings that were constructed during its golden age.

The city gained popularity beginning in 1606 when Dudley Lord North, a courtier to King James I, discovered an iron-rich mineral spring. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, royal visitors flocked to the town, seeking cures for everything from impotence to melancholy. Trips to the town remained in vogue throughout the reign of Queen Victoria and it was given its “Royal” prefix in 1909. Visit during the summer nowadays and drink the waters of the town’s Chalybeate Spring, where costumed “dippers” dole out drinks.

Go for a stroll along the Pantiles, a lovely colonnaded walkway bordered by 17th-century buildings. Browse the promenade’s unique shops, enjoy a coffee at an open-air café or check out a live performance on the bandstand. Stop by the Saturday farmers’ markets, held on alternating weeks at the Pantiles or Town Hall.

Inspect the 18th-century buildings that line the lower end of Tunbridge Wells’ High Street.

Near the northern end of Mount Pleasant Road, you’ll find the Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery. This family-friendly museum is dedicated to the exhibition of local artifacts. Look for the world’s largest collection of Tunbridge ware, consisting of decorative wooden objects inlaid with small pieces of colored wood.

Save time to check out the 17th-century Church of King Charles the Martyr. Although the church’s exterior is relatively plain, the interior features a beautiful plastered ceiling. You may also be able to watch one of the organ recitals that regularly take place here.

Royal Tunbridge Wells is located 40 miles (65 kilometers) southeast of London. Take the train from London's Charing Cross or Cannon Street station towards Hastings, which passes through Royal Tunbridge Wells’ town center.

Where to stay in Royal Tunbridge Wells

Royal Tunbridge Wells featuring signage

Tunbridge Wells Town Centre

Unique features of Tunbridge Wells Town Centre include the bars and gardens. Make a stop by Assembly Hall Theater or Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery while you're exploring the area.

Tunbridge Wells Town Centre
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Denny Bottom

Though Denny Bottom may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Pantiles and Tunbridge Wells Golf Club.

Denny Bottom
Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel
Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel
4 out of 5
8 Tunbridge Road, Pembury, Royal Tunbridge Wells, England
The price is NZ$126 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
NZ$126
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
Superb service
"The staff, particularly Viktoriia, were superb. Very, very good."

Reviewed on 17 Mar. 2024

Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel
The Spa Hotel
The Spa Hotel
4 out of 5
Mount Ephraim, Royal Tunbridge Wells, England
The price is NZ$224 per night from 25 Apr to 26 Apr
NZ$224
per night
25 Apr - 26 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (754 reviews)
Good hotel .
"Lovely hotel , my room looked like it was a fairly new refurbed room . Slight problem in that the drain in the shower didn’t ie drain , so when showering the shower tray filled up with water and overflowed onto the bathroom floor . Reported to reception and left it to be repaired after I left as ..."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

The Spa Hotel
Royal Wells Hotel
Royal Wells Hotel
3 out of 5
59 Mount Ephraim, Royal Tunbridge Wells, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$244 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
NZ$244
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (753 reviews)
A nice hotel let down a little by poor management
"Very nice hotel and dog friendly which is always a bonus for us. Unfortunately, because we were staying over the weekend, there were parties going on both nights so we could hear the music. But at least we were on the third floor so it wasn't too bad and it did finish promptly at midnight, but the ..."

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2024

Royal Wells Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Vive Hotel
Vive Hotel
5 out of 5
Havelock Rd, Hastings, England
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Hastings. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Priory Meadow Shopping ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (33 reviews)
"Always a great place to stay."

Reviewed on 26 Jan. 2024

Vive Hotel
Delightful newly converted dairy
Delightful newly converted dairy
Tunbridge Wells
Stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Eridge Rocks Nature ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (20 reviews)
Excellent property
"We enjoyed a lovely 12 night stay at the Dairy. It is beautifully furnished with a very comfortable bed and lovely patio. We had amazing weather and enjoyed many days out cycling and visiting National Trust properties as well as the coast. It’s not walking distance to any amenities really but was ..."

Reviewed on 18 Sep. 2023

Delightful newly converted dairy
Cosy 3-bed Caravan,combe Haven st Leonards on sea
Cosy 3-bed Caravan,combe Haven st Leonards on sea
3 out of 5
St Leonards-On-Sea
Stay at this 3-star vacation home in St Leonards-On-Sea. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Filsham Reedbed Nature Reserve and ...
Cosy 3-bed Caravan,combe Haven st Leonards on sea
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Royal Tunbridge Wells

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2
" "5 - Excellent 28.571428571428573%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 42.857142857142854%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 28.571428571428573%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Greg
9 Jun 2019

Enjoyed our visit to historic city.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
5 Jun 2019

Excellent meal at the Black Horse

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
8 May 2019

Parking is a total nightmare. Avoid driving your own car-or stay outside city centre. Town centre has a certain charm but there are nicer places to spend a weekend.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
21 Feb 2019

Stunning town with wonderful pubs, restaurants and cafes

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