The Pantiles

Coordinates: 51°07′34″N 0°15′28″E / 51.12615°N 0.257792°E / 51.12615; 0.257792

Photochrom of the Pantiles, 1895

Chalybeate spring building in the Pantiles (photo: Rob Dixon)

The chalybeate spring itself (photo: Nigel Chadwick)

The Pantiles is a Georgian colonnade in the town of Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England. Formerly known as The Walks and the (Royal) Parade, it leads from the well that gave the town its name. The area was created following the discovery of a chalybeate spring in the early 17th century and is now a popular tourist attraction.

The Pantiles today includes a variety of specialist shops, art galleries, cafés, restaurants and bars. The iconic tourist information centre in the main square was closed at the end of 2013 and replaced, in January 2014, by a seafood restaurant. It is now located in the Corn Exchange building in the Pantiles.

Chalybeate spring

The chalybeate spring is situated at the north-eastern end of The Pantiles at 51°7′35.95″N 0°15′31.08″E / 51.1266528°N 0.2586333°E / 51.1266528; 0.2586333. The spring is overlooked by the Dipper's Hall. The waters are rich in iron giving them a unique taste.^[1][2]

Tourists can sample the spring water which is served by costumed 'Dippers' every summer.^[1]

History

1606-1659: Discovery of the wells

Dudley Lord North, a distinguished courtier during the reign of King James I, discovered the waters in 1606. Having lived a fashionably excessive lifestyle, he retired to the countryside (in nearby Eridge) in an unsuccessful attempt to repair his health. Travelling through woodland on his return to London, he discovered the waters and decided to try them. He found his health completely restored and lived to the age of 80.^[3]

With public interest aroused, Lord Abergavenny cleared the area of brushwood, sank wells and surrounded them with stone paving and railings. The waters subsequently attracted other visitors, who also claimed their health to be restored. Although few in number, due to the lack of accommodation nearby (at this time, the nearest being in Tunbridge (now Tonbridge), some 5 miles to the north), the visitors were of a high calibre. They included Henrietta Maria of France, wife of King Charles I, six weeks after the birth of her son (later to become King Charles II) whose party camped in tents at Bishops Down due to the lack of nearby lodgings.^[3]

Originally referred to as Frant Wells, they were later renamed Queen Mary’s Wells, in honour of Queen Mary II and were only later given the present name of Tunbridge Wells.^[3]

The Upper and Lower Walks were created in 1638, when an existing bank of earth stretching south-west from the wells was levelled and planted with a double row of trees. Wooden buildings were constructed on both sides of the Walks.^[4]

1660-1738: Post-Restoration

The wells were neglected and almost forgotten during the English civil wars. It is following the Restoration, that several improvements were made to the immediate area, including construction of an assembly room and bowling green. In 1664, following a dangerous illness, the queen (Catherine of Braganza) was ordered to drink the waters, increasing their popularity.^[3]

In 1687, a fire destroyed the wooden buildings located on either side of the Walks. The buildings were later rebuilt with the colonnades which give the Pantiles its distinctive character today.^[4] By 1697, coffee houses had been developed in the area.^[4]

1739 onwards: The Rusthall Manor Act

Signed in 1739, the Rusthall Manor Act ensured that the Walks, the Wells and the Dipper's Hall would be freely accessible to the public. It also prevented the building of any further buildings on Tunbridge Wells Common.^[4]

Background to the name 'Pantiles'

• In 1700 the Upper Walks were paved with pantiles.
• On the 1738 map the area appears pretty much in its present form.
• In 1793 the pantiles were mostly removed and substituted with stone flagging – the region was then called The Parade.
• In 1887 the old name was revived.

The pantiles used to pave the Upper Walks should not be confused with roofing pantiles. The paving installed here comprised one-inch thick square tiles made from heavy wealden clay, so named because they were shaped in a wooden pan before firing.^[5] A few pantiles, believed to be original, can still be seen in the paving near the chalybeate spring.

Most of the Pantiles is listed: mostly built early to mid 19th century. No.7 is c.1660; 39-41 was formerly the Gloster Tavern; The Corn Exchange and Royal Victoria Hotel are both early 19th century.

Events

A farmer's market is held on the Pantiles every other Saturday, selling local produce.^[6] The Pantiles also hosts various festivals during the year including a food festival, a music festival featuring local bands, a fashion market and an open air art exhibition.^[7]

During the summer, the Pantiles hosts a jazz season, featuring free evening outdoor jazz concerts where musicians play on the historic bandstand.^[8]

Cultural references

The Pantiles was used as a filming location for the 1967 musical Half a Sixpence starring Tommy Steele and Julia Foster.^[9] In 2007 it was used in a Christmas television advert for the Morrisons supermarket chain starring the singer Lulu. This caused some local grumbling because Morrisons had only recently closed their Tunbridge Wells store.^[10] Morrisons returned to the Pantiles for their 2009 Christmas advert starring Richard Hammond and Denise van Outen.^[11]

External links

• The Pantiles Traders website listing all shops and events on The Pantiles
• Visit Tunbridge Wells - Tourist Information
• The Pantiles Landlord Targetfollows website

References