About me:Hi, my name is Ray. I'm originally from Ashford, Kent but am currently working as an economist in ...
Member since:21.06.2000
Reviews:581
Members who trust:152
Review rated by 9 Ciao members on average: very helpful
This review received a counterstatement by a party concernedRead Comment
Royal Tunbridge Wells,to give it its official name,is a elegant Spa town,long renowned for its "medicinal" chalybeate -non-impregnated- spring waters.It is also famous for its colonnaded Pantiles precinct,which today houses antique shops,genteel English tea rooms,jewellers,book stores and furniture shops. Just north of the Pantiles,Chapel Place is a quiet and very picturesque pedestrianised area replete with small specialist shops. This leads into the High Street with shops selling designer clothes,home furnishings,oriental rugs, gifts and fine arts. Mount Pleasant,the more "modern" part of the town is another good shopping area. The Wells is also renowned for its parks and 250 acre common which stretches to within a stone's throw of the town centre.Then there are the denuded high rocks such as Eridge Rocks,Toad Rock and the High Rocks. The latter,in particular,should not be missed for it provides some of the finest rock climbing grounds in the South East of England. This elegant spa town is a first class place to stay and is very much in the first rank of best hotel towns in Kent. It is also a good town for eating out and has a large number of good restaurants,including ethnic eateries. Royal Tunbridge Wells is very well situated for seeing a number of fine historical houses,castles and gardens. There is,eg,Hever Castle,the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Penshurst Palace, Scotney Castle and Sissinghurst Castle Garden ,all within easy reach. Do not expect vibrant night life in Royal Tunbridge Wells but if its charmingly varied architecture,green open spaces and elegant shops you are after,this is the place !