Free places to visit in and around Royal Tunbridge Wells
The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells
If you are visiting Royal Tunbridge Wells on a budget there are plenty of things to do that won’t hurt your pocket.
Follow in the Georgian Footsteps along the Pantiles at the heart of this historic town. The informative Heritage Walking Trail describes two walking routes around the town– the shorter route is approximately one hour (ideal if your time is limited) and the longer route is two hours.
Included on both routes are the historic Pantiles area which includes the Chalybeate Spring and the original village area with its cobbled streets and lodging houses such as Jerningham House and Fairlawn House.
The nearby Grove Park was given as a gift to the inhabitants of Tunbridge Wells. Complete with swings, slide and roundabout this quiet area is tucked away from the busy town and is an ideal place for children to play and adults to relax on one of the many park benches.
Also, make sure you don’t miss the Church of King Charles the Martyr with its superb ceiling. Can you find the moustached angel or the seat that Princess Victoria occupied when she attended the Church services during her visits to the town?
Other buildings of note include Thackeray’s House, now a restaurant, where the novelist lodged in 1860. Saint Helena cottage was built on the Common between 1828 and 1838; the caves beneath the cottage, (not open to visit) were used as air raid shelters during World War II.
Pop into the Tourist Information Centre and pick up a free copy of the Heritage Walking trail leaflet.
Galleries Galore
Art comes alive in Tunbridge Wells! If you want to stimulate your visual senses there are numerous galleries in the town for you to visit -notably on the Pantiles and in the High Street.
Whatever your reason for stepping over the threshold, you’ll find the galleries in Royal Tunbridge Wells are home to a range of artworks in every media – paintings, drawings and watercolours, prints, photographs and sculpture.
The museum in the Town Hall is also worth a visit for the large collection of locally famed Tunbridge Ware
Dunorlan Park
From the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells it is an easy stroll to Dunorlan Park, a favourite with the locals all year round.
The park, originally the garden of the estate owned by philanthropist Henry Reed was designed to be “in harmony with nature” by Robert Marnock.
The park opened to the public for the first time in 1946, in the same year Dunorlan House was damaged by fire and was demolished. Boating on the lake started in 1949 and proved so popular that it continues to this day. Two swans were bequeathed to the park in 1950 by King George VI.
Today the legacy of the original gardens are the lake, the spring, the fountain and Grecian Temple that, together with 31 hectares of green space, continues to be used and enjoyed by local residents and visitors to the town.
As well as the natural adventure play area there is the tree trail for visitors to complete where they can learn about some of the 730 species of trees that can be found in the park. It is fun to search for the smallest tree, the tree with the most colourful leaves or the tallest tree.
Those who are interested in local history can visit the Victoria Cross Grove and learn about the lives of the ten local recipients of the Victoria Cross.
Getting Active in Royal Tunbridge Wells
The Calverley Grounds in the centre of town has three tennis courts, two netball courts and a basketball court all of which are free to use though booking is advisable. You can contact the parks team on Tel: 01892 554031 or Email: parks@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
Walking in Royal Tunbridge Wells
Put on your walking boots and take a ramble through the stunning countryside that surrounds Tunbridge Wells.
The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that encircles Tunbridge Wells with its patchwork of rolling hills, sleepy villages and farmland is a walker’s paradise.
Walking is just as enjoyable in autumn and winter as in the spring and summer. Each season has its own allure. You get to see the countryside in all its splendour, not to mention the weather in all its moods!
There are short easy walks and serious hikers will enjoy the challenge of the more adventurous walks. Consider completing the Tunbridge Wells Circular, (27.5 miles) which takes in some of the finest scenery in the High Weald.
Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk
Click on this link for more information on the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk
Visit Tunbridge Wells Common
Tunbridge Wells Common, together with the Rusthall Common just a short distance away, are both just waiting to be explored.
Look out for Fir Tree Pond, a noted beauty spot in Victorian and Edwardian times, and the famous Wellington Rocks. The rocks have been all things to generations of children, including a castle, a pirate ship and a magic island to name but a few.
Pick up a copy of the trail leaflets that link the two commons and provide a series of short easy walks over well marked routes.
Venture into the Woods around Tunbridge Wells
There are a number of woodlands that encircle Tunbridge Wells providing you with plenty of choice as to where to roam and stretch your legs.
At the southern edge of the town Hargate Forest, dating back to the Middle Ages, was originally part of a large network of forests that made up the Sussex High Weald landscape.
The woods which are home to numerous woodland birds and animals are complete with brilliant views and trails to follow which are particularly suitable for little ones.
Nellington Wood with its meandering stream and pond nestles in the valley between Rusthall and Langton Green, these woods form part of the access link to the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk. Don’t miss the spectacular bluebell display in Spring as the woodland floor is transformed into a stunning pool of blue.
Southborough Common lies behind St. Peters Church, where the old oak trees tumble away down to the stream. The strange sandstone ravine almost entirely covered in moss provides an oasis for creatures that creep and crawl!
Ashdown Forest is, famously, home to Winnie the Pooh. Discover the important locations where Winnie the Pooh and his companions had their adventures on one of two Pooh Walks.
The shorter walk includes the Enchanted Place and Roo’s Sandy Pit while the longer walk takes you to Eeyore’s Sad and Gloomy Place, and the North Pole, which was found by Pooh and is the starting point for many great expeditions.
Watching the Wildlife At Broadwater Warren RSPB Reserve, Tunbridge Wells
Being outside in the fresh air improves you with a sense of wellbeing so get out and find the wildlife that is in our neighbourhood.
A lot of work has been undertaken to restore the habitat at Broadwater Warren. As the existing conifer trees have been removed the sunlight has flooded back into the woods. Native woodland trees and plants have begun to flourish again and wildlife has returned to the reserve. Once again the woods are home to dormice, nightjars, marsh tit and woodlark, butterflies and bumblebees.
The thriving pond is now visited by heron and a kingfisher as well as being home to dragonflies and frogs. Don’t forget to take your binoculars.
Need help identifying that bird that you saw as strolled along peaceful footpaths? Check out the helpful RSPB A – Z bird guide, which includes more than 250 species.
Image by David Hodgkinson
Cycling around Royal Tunbridge Wells
Take to two wheels and feel the wind in your hair as you enjoy an exhilarating bike ride over the rolling Wealden terrain around Tunbridge Wells.
The Forest Way provides a flat family friendly and traffic-free byway of easy pedalling through exquisite countryside.
The Tudor Trail provides a more challenging cycle ride. The trail starts at Tonbridge Castle and follows the river Medway through Haysden Country Park to Penshurst Place. There are superb views as you come down the hill into the village of Penshurst.
For something more challenging try the section of the Avenue Verte cycle route (London to Paris) that passes close to Tunbridge Wells. With its steep climbs the segment from Groombridge to Heathfield is particularly demanding.
Further information about Cycling in the area can be found here https://www.visittunbridgewells.com/things-to-do/activities/cycling
No matter what time of year you decide to visit Tunbridge Wells a warm welcome awaits you. We have accommodation to suit all budgets. Take a look at our accommodation pages to find the perfect place to rest your head.
Thanks to Visit Tunbridge Wells for their help with this article.