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 kilometres) southeast of London. Take the train from London's Charing Cross or Cannon Street station towards Hastings, which passes through Royal Tunbridge Wells’ town centre.

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 ₹5,214 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
₹5,214
per night
11 Apr - 12 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 ₹9,466 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
₹9,466
per night
8 Apr - 9 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! (753 reviews)
"Room was great, however to close the blinds, the rope was a bit high for short people. Spa was also great and would overall definitely recommend"

Reviewed on 11 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 ₹10,154 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
₹10,154
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! (752 reviews)
Will be happy to return
"A good quality hotel nicely appointed and good location. Had small issue with service over lunch but after speaking with general manager feel this will be dealt with immediately. Good response."

Reviewed on 3 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.
Flexistay Tulsi Aparthotel
Flexistay Tulsi Aparthotel
3 out of 5
256a High Street, Croydon, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Croydon. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping and laundry facilities. Discover genuine guest reviews for Flexistay Tulsi Aparthotel, ...
7/10 Good! (146 reviews)
"Nice hotel with a very strong wifi signal & a laundry room. Best part - the latter is free for guests."

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2023

Flexistay Tulsi Aparthotel
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 Centre ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (33 reviews)
"Always a great place to stay."

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2024

Vive Hotel
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, England
Stay at this 3-star holiday home in St Leonards-On-Sea. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Filsham Reedbed Nature Reserve and St ...
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.

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Reviews of Royal Tunbridge Wells

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
49
" "5 - Excellent 39.516129032258064%
4 - Good
62
" "4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
8
" "3 - Okay 6.451612903225806%
2 - Disappointing
3
" "2 - Disappointing 2.4193548387096775%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 1.6129032258064515%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
15 Feb 2020

Good memories

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
29 Jan 2020

A quaint town in an attractive part of Kent. A pleasant place to visit.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
20 Jan 2020

Pantiles area was lovely

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
4 Jan 2020

Unique shopping and character

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
2 Dec 2019

Lovely town and well placed to visit Hever castle and Chartwell house.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
30 Nov 2019

Nice place

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