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(20-Nov-2005)
The Pantiles - Tunbridge Wells
The pretty colonnaded walkway known as the Pantiles is undoubtedly the best known view of Royal Tunbridge Wells. Once the playground of the gentry and royalty, the Pantiles remains a pleasant place to browse, shop, eat and drink and stroll (and work!).
The Pantiles and indeed Tunbridge Wells owe their beginnings to the discovery of the Chalybeate Spring in the 1606 and the popularity of the spa water amongst the royalty and aristocracy of the time. As Tunbridge Wells grew in popularity as a spa resort, so did the area surrounding the spring - eventually leading to the building of the colonnaded walkway in the 18th century, later known as The Pantiles.
In its heyday in Georgian times, the "Walks" as they were then known, were the place to be seen for visitors to Tunbridge Wells. A strict protocol was adhered to - gentry on the 'Upper Walks', the colonnade, and everyone else on the 'Lower Walks'. Fortunately, things are much more relaxed now and the Pantiles is still a very attractive and stylish part of Royal Tunbridge Wells.
The Pantiles has retained much of its original charm and is now home to a wonderful variety of small specialist shops, antique shops and open-air cafés, restaurants and bars quite unlike most typical Town high streets. The spring is situated at the northern end of the Pantiles and still flows; the reputedly health-giving water is served in the summer months by a traditionally dressed 'Dipper'. In the summer months a series of open air band and evening jazz concerts take place as well as occasional visits from Italian and French markets
