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Tunbridge Wells Town Tour App
Take your daily exercise with our free app ‘Tales of Tunbridge Wells’ featuring a 90 minute audio trail of the Royal Town.
Just don’t forget your headphones, remember to stay aware and observe social distancing when following the trail. Even better, why not take an early morning stroll, or enjoy it at dusk, when the Town can be appreciated at its most peaceful…
The Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Trail
The Town trail is the first app-led walking tour uncovering the history and heritage of Royal Tunbridge Wells.
The trail focuses on the celebrated town, from the discovery of the Chalybeate Spring in 1606 to the thriving, culturally rich spa town that exists today. The contributors range from historians, local business owners, residents, landlords and reverends. Their anecdotes and facts provide a colourful and characterful insight into one of England’s first tourist destinations.
You will be taken on a self-led journey through 30 key locations in the town, which lasts about an hour and a half. An on-screen map offers you a suggested route, although the GPS triggered audio and images can be enjoyed in any order. Alternatively, you can enjoy the content from the comfort of your own home.
Walking Tour Highlights
- Meet the Dipper who performs the oldest job in Tunbridge Wells, the art of serving the precious waters at the Chalybeate Spring in The Pantiles, as she spins yarns and tells the untold secrets of our noble and Royal visitors from the past…
- Reverend Laurence Powell of King Charles the Martyr offers behind the scenes access at Tunbridge Wells’ oldest permanent structure, as he takes you through the history of the building including the most notable members of its congregation
- Tucked behind the bustling and polite High Street, the landlord of the Grove Tavern gives you a flavour of the spirited underbelly of this “Royal” town, which has also played host to scoundrels, chancers and even ghosts! Beer historian, Jeremy Kimmel, sets the scene with a look at the importance of the hops industry in and around Tunbridge Wells.
- Step into one of the town’s most architecturally noted churches, now Trinity Theatre, as it’s Community and Visual Arts Manager, and a local historian and member of the Civic Society explain its architectural and cultural importance to the town.
- At music venue The Forum, formerly housing a forge and then a public convenience, we learn about some of the world famous acts that have performed there and it’s contribution to the thriving music scene in the town today.
This is just a small example of the extensive catalogue of voices on the app, which is the first of its kind for Royal Tunbridge Wells. Recorded during 2019, this unique offering captures the true essence of this surprising town.
Interwoven through the narrative of individual voices, key themes are explored including architecture, innovation, literature, Royalty and religion.
This project has been realised through collaboration between The Amelia and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Economic Development Team, and is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England and Kent County Council.
The trail is now available to download for free from the app stores for both Apple and Android devices.
We hope you enjoy it!
Number of items:
Number of items: 60
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Spa Valley Railway
Type
Steam Railway
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Spa Valley Railway takes you on a picturesque railway journey through through the beautiful Wealden countryside from Tunbridge Wells to High Rocks, Groombridge and Eridge
Groombridge Place and The Enchanted Forest
Type
Garden
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Update 18 January 2021 - closed for now until further notice. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon.
Groombridge Place near Tunbridge Wells offers a fun day out for all the family with award winning gardens, and the Enchanted Forest, with its giant tree swings and other exciting thrills…Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk
Type
Waymarked Trail
Tunbridge Wells
The Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk is a 27.5 mile (44.3km) route that explores the wide variety of fertile and beautiful countryside around Royal Tunbridge Wells, a town within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the borders of Kent and East Sussex.
Chalybeate Spring
Type
Natural Feature
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Visitors came to see and be seen in fashionable Tunbridge Wells, but above all to 'take the waters'.
Pashley Manor Gardens
Type
Garden
Ticehurst, Wadhurst
At Pashley you will discover 11 acres of beautiful borders and vistas - the culmination of a lifetime of passion for gardening and an admiration of the tradition of the English country garden.
The Queen's Hall Theatre
Type
Theatre
Cranbrook
Providing entertainment in the heart of the Kent Weald.
Bewl Water
Type
Lake / Reservoir
Lamberhurst
Set in the heart of the High Weald and surrounded by 800 acres of outstanding natural beauty, Bewl Water is the perfect place to watch the seasons change and to enjoy some healthy family fun for all ages.
Bowles Outdoor Centre
Type
Adventure Park / Playground
Eridge Green
A day and residential outdoor centre with accommodation offering rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, canoeing and development courses and fun!
Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest
Type
Forest
Goudhurst
Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest is a magnificent place for healthy outdoor activities.
St. Mary's Church Goudhurst
Type
Church / Chapel
Cranbrook
The church on the hill above the village.
Dunorlan Park
Type
Parkland / Woodland Garden
Royal Tunbridge Wells
A glorious local awarding winning park and testament to the Victorian landscaping era. Boating lake and cafe.
Salomons Estate
Type
Museum
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Salomons Estate – Kent’s undiscovered gem
Constructed by Decimus Burton for Sir David Salomon, it was the first house in Britain to use domestic electricity.
Temper Temper The Chocolate Experience
Type
Cookery School
Tunbridge Wells
Have a go at making your own delicious confections!
St Thomas a Becket Church, Capel
Type
Church / Chapel
Capel
Twelfth century church with wallpaintings of the same period - the most extensive in West Kent. They depict various biblical scenes including Cain and Abel and The Last Supper.
Assembly Hall Theatre
Type
Theatre
Royal Tunbridge Wells
The Assembly Hall Theatre is a 1,000 seat theatre offering an eclectic programme with everything from family shows to classical music.
Weald Sports Centre
Type
Leisure / Swimming Pool
Cranbrook
High quality sporting facilities to include swimming pool, sports hall, fitness studio, exercise studio and creche.
Trinity Theatre and Arts Centre
Type
Theatre
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Located in a converted Grade A listed church by the noted architect Decimus Burton, Trinity Theatre hosts a varied programme of art exhibitions, theatre, films, dance, opera and music productions.
High Rocks
Type
Natural Feature
Tunbridge Wells
Acres of breathtaking sandstone rocks interlinked with bridges provide a scenic walk in a tranquil woodland setting.
