Royal Tunbridge Wells

Travel Guide

Pantiles
Royal Tunbridge Wells showing signage
Pantiles which includes heritage architecture
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Pantiles which includes a city as well as a large group of people

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 showing 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
One of many trees whose roots are clinging on to the sandstone rocks at Bulls Hollow,. part of the Commons of Rusthall and Tunbridge Wells in Kent, England.

Denny Bottom

While Denny Bottom might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Pantiles and Assembly Hall Theater.

Denny Bottom
Royal Wells Hotel

Royal Wells Hotel

3 out of 5
59 Mount Ephraim, Royal Tunbridge Wells, England
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (934 reviews)
Great stay
"A lovely hotel with great warm service and really good food. Our room was lovely and looked over the back of Royal Wells."

Reviewed on 2025/8/20

Royal Wells Hotel
The Spa Hotel

The Spa Hotel

4 out of 5
Mount Ephraim, Royal Tunbridge Wells, England
The price is NT$4,187 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
NT$4,187
NT$5,024 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Great outdoor spa. No decent coffee , machine had broken. Only instant with pots of sterilised milk available"

Reviewed on 2025/8/20

The Spa Hotel
Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel

Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel

4 out of 5
8 Tunbridge Road, Pembury, Royal Tunbridge Wells, England
The price is NT$2,029 per night from Sep 7 to Sep 8
NT$2,029
NT$2,435 total
Sep 7 - Sep 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.6/10 Good! (999 reviews)
"Need to update website, no swimming pool as advertised"

Reviewed on 2025/8/16

Mercure Tunbridge 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.
Ardens Lodge

Ardens Lodge

2.5 out of 5
Arden Street, Gillingham, England
Book a stay at this golf aparthotel in Gillingham. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Chatham Naval Memorial and Historic ...
2.6/10 (3 reviews)
"Not a place to stay"

Reviewed on 2025/8/17

Ardens Lodge
The Lower Bell

The Lower Bell

3 out of 5
201 Old Chatham Road, Bluebell Hill, Aylesford, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Aylesford. Enjoy free parking, a business center, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Oare Marshes Nature Reserve and ...
7.8/10 Good! (147 reviews)
Review
"The hotel was amazing it was clean and comfy, I only stayed for 1 night, the only problem with my room was there was no where to sit and work other then on the bed, a corner desk would fix that when I had a shower and turned the heat up there was no real way to turn it down and they didn’t do food ..."

Reviewed on 2025/8/21

The Lower Bell
Vive Hotel

Vive Hotel

4 out of 5
Havelock Rd, Hastings, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Hastings. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (84 reviews)
"Clean spacious room center of town"

Reviewed on 2025/2/11

Vive 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.

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