Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England
Created | Updated Jul 31, 2003
Tunbridge Wells is a sort of new town. Situated near the Kent and East Sussex borders just off the A21. Yes it's got quaint and historic buildings but these can be no more than four hundred years old, which in the grand scheme of things isn't that old. Today the town has a population of just over 100,000, is in steady growth and has busy and thriving commercial hub. But if it wasn't for Lord North, it may not have existed at all.
Lord North, Dudley to his friends.
In 1606 Dudley was travelling to see Lord Abergavenny, whose country seat was Eridge Castle. Dudley, who was 25 at the time, had been living it up at the court of James I and was in dire need of some good rest and recuperation. While riding his horse down off Rusthall common into the woods, he stopped and found a chalybeate (meaning iron bearing) spring. The iron deposits in the water had turned the water slightly orange in colour and had stained the rocks and ground around the springs entrance.
The German Connection and The Dipper
At this time the German resort of Spa was receiving fashionable and wealthy people from all over Europe, who were drinking these waters for their so called health giving properties. Dudley recognised that this spring water was very similar to the German towns and decided to continue to drink it at his stay at Eridge. Miracle of miracles he gets better, soon he claims the waters restored him to perfect health and starts telling his friends of this wonderful curing water. News spread quickly and by 1608 Lord Abergavenny had approached the Lord of the Manor of Rusthall to sink a well, so visitors could easily get to the water aided by a 'dipper', a woman who would dispense the water.
Soon the waters were being taken by many wealthy and notable people including royalty.
Devlopement of the Spring
Lord Muskerry acquired the Manor of Rusthall in 1664 and decided to give better access to the spring by building a new enclosure with an ornamental arch. The Duke of York (who became James II) first came to the spring in 1670, and started promoting the local sandstone outcrop of The High Rocks as a place to see and be seen at. Here you could marvel at the massive vertical faces and stroll in clean air and meet and greet other socialites. In 1682, Lord Muskerry's widow sold the Manor to Thomas Neale who was Master of the Royal Mint and made an agreement with the Freeholders of the Manor allowing him to build lodgings, shops, and other facilities for visitors on nearby land. Unfortunately this mostly burned down in a fire in 1687. The reconstruction of this area consisted of the present day colonnade of shops and other facilities which was originally known as the Walks. In 1698 Princess Anne gave the money for the Walks to be paved, after her son fell over on slippery ground near the spring. When she came back the following year to find the work not done, she was to say miffed and vowed never to return. Eventually the paving was laid, using ceramic tiles about 10inches (25cms) square known as pantiles. These gave the colonnade its current name of The Pantiles, although they were replaced by stone flags in 1792.
The Showman Beau Nash and The Growing Town.
Richard "Beau" Nash took it on himself to become master of ceremonies in 1735, after coming from a similar role in Bath. Beau Nash was a showman who orchestrated the taking of the waters and created amusing divertions for his nearly captive audience. A position he held until his death in 1761 when he handed over to Sarah Porter, who had aided him in his work. This was the high point of the waters popularity and a thriving community grew up around the spring. This spread up the surrounding hills forming the Tunbridge Wells of today. Visitors wanted to buy souvenirs of their visit and wooden boxes and trinkets with intricate patterns made by mostly local craftsmen were sold in shops on The Pantiles, these became known as Tunbridge Ware.
Retreating Waters
In the 19th Century the wells popularity began to wane, medical enlightenment grew and taking the waters became more of a curio than a proven medical cure. Yet, even as late as the 1930's Tunbridge Wells was being touted as a health resort. Although the tradition of drinking from the famous spring is no longer taken very seriously, a costumed dipper still dispenses the water to modern day visitors.
The modern Pantiles and Town
The Pantiles today has a variety of restaurants and bars but still keeps the feel of Georgian times going with many antique shops. The High Street leads up from The Pantiles past the station to the Council Offices and the modern side of Tunbridge Wells. Here you will find all the leading high street stores. The Assembly Hall theatre always has a packed and varied program of shows and events and along in Church Road the converted Trinity Church has smaller and more avant-garde productions. In recent years the pub chain giants seam to have had a war to gain clients. Witherspoons, Litten Tree and Que Pasa have all opened branches but if you look a little further you can find real pubs who serve real ales to real people. To the North there is the industrial estate but tucked away you can find a Multiplex and bowling alley. Tunbridge Wells is twined with Wiesbaden, so keeping up the German links.
Yours Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells
Tunbridge Wells gained a reputation after World War II for being a retirement haven for ex Majors and such. These were probably the writers of the legendary 'Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells' found in many post war newspapers letters columns, but this thankfully, seems to have past into obscurity. Today Tunbridge Wells has little to be disgusted with, unless you try the rusty tasting chalybeate spring waters.
Lord North, Dudley to his friends.
In 1606 Dudley was travelling to see Lord Abergavenny, whose country seat was Eridge Castle. Dudley, who was 25 at the time, had been living it up at the court of James I and was in dire need of some good rest and recuperation. While riding his horse down off Rusthall common into the woods, he stopped and found a chalybeate (meaning iron bearing) spring. The iron deposits in the water had turned the water slightly orange in colour and had stained the rocks and ground around the springs entrance.
The German Connection and The Dipper
At this time the German resort of Spa was receiving fashionable and wealthy people from all over Europe, who were drinking these waters for their so called health giving properties. Dudley recognised that this spring water was very similar to the German towns and decided to continue to drink it at his stay at Eridge. Miracle of miracles he gets better, soon he claims the waters restored him to perfect health and starts telling his friends of this wonderful curing water. News spread quickly and by 1608 Lord Abergavenny had approached the Lord of the Manor of Rusthall to sink a well, so visitors could easily get to the water aided by a 'dipper', a woman who would dispense the water.
Soon the waters were being taken by many wealthy and notable people including royalty.
Devlopement of the Spring
Lord Muskerry acquired the Manor of Rusthall in 1664 and decided to give better access to the spring by building a new enclosure with an ornamental arch. The Duke of York (who became James II) first came to the spring in 1670, and started promoting the local sandstone outcrop of The High Rocks as a place to see and be seen at. Here you could marvel at the massive vertical faces and stroll in clean air and meet and greet other socialites. In 1682, Lord Muskerry's widow sold the Manor to Thomas Neale who was Master of the Royal Mint and made an agreement with the Freeholders of the Manor allowing him to build lodgings, shops, and other facilities for visitors on nearby land. Unfortunately this mostly burned down in a fire in 1687. The reconstruction of this area consisted of the present day colonnade of shops and other facilities which was originally known as the Walks. In 1698 Princess Anne gave the money for the Walks to be paved, after her son fell over on slippery ground near the spring. When she came back the following year to find the work not done, she was to say miffed and vowed never to return. Eventually the paving was laid, using ceramic tiles about 10inches (25cms) square known as pantiles. These gave the colonnade its current name of The Pantiles, although they were replaced by stone flags in 1792.
The Showman Beau Nash and The Growing Town.
Richard "Beau" Nash took it on himself to become master of ceremonies in 1735, after coming from a similar role in Bath. Beau Nash was a showman who orchestrated the taking of the waters and created amusing divertions for his nearly captive audience. A position he held until his death in 1761 when he handed over to Sarah Porter, who had aided him in his work. This was the high point of the waters popularity and a thriving community grew up around the spring. This spread up the surrounding hills forming the Tunbridge Wells of today. Visitors wanted to buy souvenirs of their visit and wooden boxes and trinkets with intricate patterns made by mostly local craftsmen were sold in shops on The Pantiles, these became known as Tunbridge Ware.
Retreating Waters
In the 19th Century the wells popularity began to wane, medical enlightenment grew and taking the waters became more of a curio than a proven medical cure. Yet, even as late as the 1930's Tunbridge Wells was being touted as a health resort. Although the tradition of drinking from the famous spring is no longer taken very seriously, a costumed dipper still dispenses the water to modern day visitors.
The modern Pantiles and Town
The Pantiles today has a variety of restaurants and bars but still keeps the feel of Georgian times going with many antique shops. The High Street leads up from The Pantiles past the station to the Council Offices and the modern side of Tunbridge Wells. Here you will find all the leading high street stores. The Assembly Hall theatre always has a packed and varied program of shows and events and along in Church Road the converted Trinity Church has smaller and more avant-garde productions. In recent years the pub chain giants seam to have had a war to gain clients. Witherspoons, Litten Tree and Que Pasa have all opened branches but if you look a little further you can find real pubs who serve real ales to real people. To the North there is the industrial estate but tucked away you can find a Multiplex and bowling alley. Tunbridge Wells is twined with Wiesbaden, so keeping up the German links.
Yours Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells
Tunbridge Wells gained a reputation after World War II for being a retirement haven for ex Majors and such. These were probably the writers of the legendary 'Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells' found in many post war newspapers letters columns, but this thankfully, seems to have past into obscurity. Today Tunbridge Wells has little to be disgusted with, unless you try the rusty tasting chalybeate spring waters.
