Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The Pantiles - an area of colonnaded walkways constructed in the 17th century at the site of a spring discovered near the town of Tonbridge. A small town quickly evolved around the site and Tunbridge Wells became a popular spa resort amongst the gentry of Georgian England. The springs of chalybeate water are located in two basins in the north-west corner (See TQ 53 NE 45). The medicinal properties of the springs were first recognised by Lord North in 1606 and the first well was sunk in 1608. In 1636 Hotels were built (not part of The Pantiles) and in 1638 the Upper Walk was laid out. The row of houses and shops on the west side was rebuilt in a regular manner after 1687 with a colonnade. The walks were first paved in 1700. Originally known as The Parade it became known as The Pantiles as recently as 1887. The Corn Exchange was built in 1801-2 as a theatre.

Monument Types

• HOUSE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• SHOPPING PRECINCT (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
• SPRING (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Full description

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(TQ 581388) The Pantiles [NAT] (1) The Pantiles, the perfect pedestrian precinct with springs of chalybeate water in to two basins in the north-west corner.(2) (See TQ 53 NE 45). The medicinal properties of the springs were first recognised by Lord North in 1606 and the first well was sunk in 1608. But it was the visit of Queen Henrietta Maria in 1630 that made it neccessary to provide accommodation and amusement for the growing number of visitors. In 1636 Hotels were built (not part of The Pantiles) and in 1638 the Upper Walk was laid out. The row of houses and shops on the west side was rebuilt in a regular manner after 1687 with a colonnade. The walks were first paved in 1700. Originally known as The Parade it became known as The Pantiles as recently as 1887. In the north-west corner is the Bath House, built c.1804, stuccoed with giant Tuscan pilasters and a canopy over the springs added in 1847. The houses behind are mostly 19th century. The memorable bit of the east side is the projecting block with the raised Musick Gallery at the south end. The north part of this block is early 20th century. At the lowest level The Corn Exchange, built 1801-2 as a theatre, is stuccoed, of three storeys and three wide bays. Next to it is the taller, wider and grander Royal Victoria Hotel, with the Assembly Rooms, stuccoed white with Giant pilasters over a rusticated ground floor. (2-4) No 7. The Pantiles. Grade II*. (TQ 58153878 - OS 1:2500 1961) Erected in 1660 as a private house and converted into a shop in 1768. On the north east front of the house, in Pink Alley, is a doorway with a curved flight of 4 steps with an unusual early 19th century carved trellised wooden porch. (5)

<1> OS 1:10000 1974 (OS Card Reference). SKE48159.

<2> Bldgs of Eng 1980 W Kent and the Weald 582 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37719.

<3> The Story of the Pantiles 1967 (M Hepworth) (OS Card Reference). SKE50525.

<4> Cantium Kent Local Hist Aut 1974 55-6 Illus (KE Marsden) (OS Card Reference). SKE38582.

<5> DOE(HHR) Dist of Tunbridge Wells Kent 1974 78 (OS Card Reference). SKE41103.

Sources and further reading