Pictures of Tunbridge Wells
in the county of Kent
About Tunbridge Wells
ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS is one of the best known inland holiday resorts in England. This friendly and attractive town is situated on the Kent / Sussex border about mid-way between London and Hastings. To the East lies the Kent fruit and hop-growing countryside known as the “Garden of England”, whilst to the South are the woods and mixed farms of Sussex.
The town became famous following the discovery by Lord North, a courtier to James I, of the medicinal qualities of iron impregnated water in the chalybeate wells. Royalty were frequent visitors and Tunbridge Wells became a popular resort for high society. Queen Victoria in her early life often came to the town. In 1909 Edward VII granted the title of “Royal” to the town as it is now formally called “Royal Tunbridge Wells”.
Today, in 2004, Tunbridge Wells is principally a residential town and tourist resort with some light industry on the outskirts. There are excellent shopping facilities and first class hotels. There are modern houses and places of historic interest. Much of the old world charm has been retained. Examples are the historic Pantiles with the Chalybeate Spring and the beautiful Common which remains unspoilt although the racecourse, much appreciated by Royalty at one time, has long since disappeared. The town has many parks, recreational facilities including one of the Kent County Cricket Grounds and several golf courses. There are numerous old and charming villages around Tunbridge Wells. Within a short drive many places of historic interest including Hever Castle (home of Anne Boleyn in her youth), Penshurst Place, Bodiam Castle, Sissinghurst Castle (with its famous gardens) and Chatwell (home of Sir Winston Churchill).
Royal Tunbridge Wells is a town of interest and charm.
Information submitted by: Daniel Bech
Enjoy some of Daniel's pictures on our picture tour and check out his wonderful CD "Historical and Interesting Views of Tunbridge Wells"
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Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Tunbridge Wells
| Penshurst Place and Gardens | (4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Bayham Abbey | (4.6 miles, 7.3 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Tonbridge Castle | (4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Marle Place Gardens | (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Chiddingstone Castle | (6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Scotney Castle | (7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Hever Castle | (7.6 miles, 12.3 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Ightham Mote | (9.0 miles, 14.4 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Old Soar Manor | (9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Knole House & Deer Park | (9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Ashdown Forest | (9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Greathed Manor | (10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Emmetts Garden | (10.6 miles, 17.0 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Chartwell | (10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Bateman's | (10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
All attractions in Tunbridge WellsAll attractions in KentComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Tunbridge Wells
Groombridge, in the county of East Sussex (3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction W)
In an area of attractive, outstanding villages, Groombridge with its 18th-century tiled cottages against the back-drop of a beautiful village green, stands out as being the very epitome of the perfect English village.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Tonbridge, in the county of Kent (4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction N)
Fine streets show a rich variety of architecture including typical Wealden tile-hung properties, and handsome Georgian and Victorian buildings dominating the river scene.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Brenchley, in the county of Kent (6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction E)
Brenchley is a beautiful "showpiece" village full of picturesque Tudor cottages, complimented by houses from the Regency and Victorian periods.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Chiddingstone, in the county of Kent (6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction NW)
Fascinating village, owned by the National Trust which is crammed with beautiful properties from the 16th and 17th-century probably built with iron-industry money.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Mayfield, in the county of East Sussex (7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction S)
This is a tranquil, historic village lying close to the beautiful River Rother. The village stands on a ridge in a lovely rural location with panoramic views over the valley.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Shipbourne, in the county of Kent (8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction N)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Ticehurst, in the county of East Sussex (8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction SE)
For a village worthy of a picture postcard, Ticehurst would be hard to beat. It is all enchanting white weatherboarded cottages hidden beneath russet tiles interspersed around a pleasant square with a church.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Plaxtol, in the county of Kent (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction N)
This is a picturesque Kentish village at the centre of the counties hop growing fields. It has interesting Oast houses and a concentration of charming brick built cottages.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Burwash, in the county of East Sussex (10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction SE)
It is from his home in this very English village that Rudyard Kipling penned the wise and wonderful words of his poem 'If'.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
East Grinstead, in the county of West Sussex (11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction W)
East Grinstead became notable following World War II for its Queen Victoria Hospital where remarkable plastic surgery operations were performed on badly burned servicemen.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Cranbrook, in the county of Kent (12.3 miles, 19.8 km, direction E)
Cranbrook is an old rural town of numerous streets and alleys, all still true to their medieval layout.
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Fletching, in the county of East Sussex (13.6 miles, 21.8 km, direction SW)
The village grew out of a Saxon settlement, near the spot of one of the entrances to Sheffield Park, now owned by the National Trust.
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Oxted, in the county of Surrey (14.3 miles, 23.0 km, direction NW)
A walk around the village reveals a riot of attractive 17th and 18th century cottages all standing on a rise surrounded by pretty flower-filled gardens.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Eynsford, in the county of Kent (16.6 miles, 26.7 km, direction N)
This is a small town in the Darent Valley. Way back in the mists of history it was thought to be an important town, but is now not much bigger than a large village. It is...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Meopham Green, in the county of Kent (16.7 miles, 26.8 km, direction N)
This is an attractive Kentish village lying to the south of Gravesend. It is picked out by its Windmill of 1801, which has been lovingly restored back to its original working order and is now one of the best preserved in Kent.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in KentComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Tunbridge Wells Station | (0.3 miles, 0.4 km) |
| High Brooms Station | (1.6 miles, 2.6 km, direction NE) |
| M25 Junction 5 | (12.2 miles, 19.7 km, direction NW) |
| M26 Junction 2A | (12.7 miles, 20.4 km, direction N) |
| London Gatwick Airport | (19.0 miles, 30.5 km, direction W) |
| London City Airport | (27.3 miles, 43.9 km, direction N) |
| Tunbridge Wells to London | (31.1 miles, 50.0 km, direction NW) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Tunbridge Wells
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Tunbridge Wells center |
| Swan Hotel | (0.2 miles, 0.3 km) |
| Smart And Simple Hotels | (0.2 miles, 0.3 km) |
| The Royal Wells Inn | (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) |
| Russell Hotel | (0.4 miles, 0.7 km) |
| The Spa Hotel | (0.5 miles, 0.8 km) |
| Ramada Tunbridge Wells | (2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction NE) |
| Best Western The Rose And Crown Hotel | (4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction N) |
| The Langley Hotel | (5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction N) |
| Hever Hotel | (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction NW) |
| The Hadlow Manor Hotel | (8.5 miles, 13.6 km, direction NE) |
| All hotels in Tunbridge Wells |