
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 41 to 60.
Cellarhead Brewing Company
Type
Brewery
Flimwell
Micro-brewery using local hops on the border of Kent and Sussex. Shop and tap room open for purchases and tastings at selected times.
Lamberhurst Golf Club
Type
Golf Course
Tunbridge Wells
18 hole golf course near Royal Tunbridge Wells, situated in a parkland of outstanding natural beauty.
Bowles Outdoor Centre
Type
Adventure Sport Centre
Eridge Green, Royal Tunbridge Wells
Fun recreational activities including ski-ing, snowboarding, rock climbing and canoeing for individuals and groups. Organisational training and development, residential personal development courses for schools, colleges and youth groups too.
CountryBike
Type
Cycle
Fordcombe
Hire a CountryBike located at one of various attractions in West Kent and East Sussex. See website for details.
Fenton's Curling Rink
Type
Sports Ground
Near Kippings Cross, Royal Tunbridge Wells
Currently closed | The only curling rink in England.
Hever Castle Golf Club
Type
Golf Course
Edenbridge
9 hole golf course and squash club near Royal Tunbridge Wells
Gulliver's Play Cafe
Type
Adventure Park / Playground
Cranbrook
Gulliver’s Play Café makes fresh food for kids and grown-ups that will tantalise your tastebuds. It’s a place to play, relax, meet and make memories!
Clue Cracker
Type
Activity Centre
Royal Tunbridge Wells
7 July 2020 update: open - please book in advance
Escape room puzzles for all the family
Tunbridge Wells Museum, The Amelia, at Royal Victoria Place
Type
Museum
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Whilst the 1950s building is closed for redevelopment some collections are displayed in the Library’s temporary premises at Royal Victoria Place shopping centre (level 1, opposite Fenwick and Muffin Break).
Mercure Tunbridge Wells Health Club
Type
Leisure / Swimming Pool
Royal Tunbridge Wells
It's all about indulgence in the health club.
Art By The Yard - Workshops/Online Shop
Type
Craft Centre
Tunbridge Wells
Creative Workshops hosted by local artist Joanna Harris
Spa Spa
Type
Spa and Relaxation
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Spa treaments, massage, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy,relaxation, unwind, de-stress, indulge
Ashdown Manna Cookery School
Type
Cookery School
Blackham
A small independent cookery school, offering inspirational half and full day courses.
Spa Health
Type
Leisure / Swimming Pool
Royal Tunbridge Wells
Indoor heated swimming pool 10m, two gymnasiums,
Steam room and saunas and floodlit tennis court
There are Qualified Personal Trainers on site