Discover the History of The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells
Would you like to discover more about the history of Tunbridge Wells? Growing up in Tunbridge Wells I always thought of The Pantiles as its creative heart. It has a long history of being a destination - a place to see and be seen - and in past centuries visitors came to try the famous spring water.
The Pantiles is named after the paving that was once found there. At other times it was known as the Walks and the Parade.
This map is from 'Pelton's Sixpenny Illustrated Guide to Tunbridge Wells', which was actually printed and published by R Pelton at 68, Pantiles and the Broadway.
The lithograph above of Bath Square in the Pantiles is dated around 1838 by W. Clarke. I love the playful black dog running across the scene. The elegant row of trees are now long gone.
Today, on the left you'll find two of my favourites places to visit. First up is Collard - a shop dedicated to everything you might need for your dog. It's where I buy Rolo's treats, collars and leads - they have a great selection.
Close by is Eggs Eleven - a cafe that's been popular from the day it opened. The staff are so friendly and it's definitely my go to for breakfast in the area.
Charles Saumarez Smith photographed this image of the Bath House above, which was shared in 'Tunbridge Wells The Gentle Aspect' by Terence Davis. In the early days the chalybeate spring at the front was enclosed by wooden palings. Then later in 1664 the Lord of the Manor, Viscount Muskerry built a triangular stone enclosure.
Here's Bath Square at the turn of the last century. This image is from 'Tunbridge Wells in Old Photographs' by M. L. J. Rowlands and I. C. Beavis.
The canopy was added to the Bath House in 1847 and is shown here in an article from 'Country Life' published on 28th November 1968.
The photograph above was taken by D.J. Johnson showing an official dispenser of the chalybeate waters from the Pantiles spring.
The image below of Bath Square is from 'Tunbridge Wells The Gentle Aspect' by Terence Davis. I think Rolo would have been in his element with all these dogs to play with!
In 1698 Princess Anne donated 100 pounds for new paving for the Upper Walk after her son, The Duke of Gloucester had slipped. The previous paving was conserved by the British Museum and then given to Tunbridge Wells Museum.
The image below captures a view of the Pantiles from the southern end across Bath Square in around 1905. It shows the famous Pantiles clock on the right and was captured by Charles Saumarez Smith and shared in 'Tunbridge Wells The Gentle Aspect' by Terence Davis.
The image above is a scene from the 1967 Paramount film 'Half a Sixpence' that was shot on the Pantiles with period props. It starred Tommy Steele as Kipps, a draper's assistant who inherited a fortune. It was based on a novel of the same name by H.G. Wells. This image is from 'Tunbridge Wells A Second Selection in Old Photographs' by A.L.J. Rowlands and I.C. Beavis.
Tolson & Co use to stand on the site of what is now Sankey's at the Old Fish Market. This is their Christmas display from 1905 which was shared in Tunbridge Wells as it was by Jean Mauldon.
I love this picture of the Nevill Bakery in Nevill Street which was taken in around 1920 which I found in the book 'Tunbridge Wells, A Second Selection in Old Photographs' by M.L.J. Rowlands and LC. Beavis.
This picture of The Old Fish Market dates from around 1960 and comes from Francis Frith's Around Royal Tunbridge Wells. One the the previous owners was called Mr Hook which seems very fitting for a fish monger. Later the Old Fish Market became the tourist information centre before becoming Sankey's a champagne and fish restaurant.
Last but not least here is the view across the road from my Tunbridge Wells jewellery shop from Then & Now Tunbridge Wells which was compiled by Philip Burgess. This street is lower walk and has always had a pub on the corner. It was called Chaplin's after Charlie Chaplin who is believed to have visited and scratched his name on the window to prove that his ring contained a diamond.
The Lower Walk has a long history of Antiques shops - you can read more about the history of the Lower Walk and my shop here including its more colourful past in the 60's and 70's.