The Royal Pantiles Walking Tour

A chance to see and hear how the chance discovery of a medicinal spring in 1606 by a jaded courtier on his way back to London was the start of the story of Tunbridge Wells. From nothing, it rapidly found fame amongst the great and the good (including royalty), who were attracted by the healing waters, the dancing, the shopping and the gambling. It was the out-of-town rural setting where one had to be seen. Today, the Pantiles retains its Georgian splendour as a retail and leisure destination, still blissfully cocooned from the outside world.

The meeting point at No. 4 The Pantiles (Imperial Pharmacy, Nevill Street end).