The Pantiles
51°07′34″N 0°15′28″E / 51.12615°N 0.257792°E
The Pantiles is a
As of 2022[update] the Pantiles includes a variety of specialist shops, art galleries, cafés, restaurants and bars, as well as a farmers market held outside every other Saturday. Throughout the summer jazz bands play outside on the bandstand, attracting hundreds of people.
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. 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
With public interest aroused,
Originally referred to as Frant Wells, they were later renamed Queen Mary’s Wells, in honour of
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
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
Rusthall Manor Act 1739 | |
---|---|
Act of Parliament | |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 29 April 1740 |
Other legislation | |
Amended by | Rusthall Manor Act 1902 |
Rusthall Manor Act 1863 | |
---|---|
Act of Parliament | |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 22 June 1863 |
Other legislation | |
Amended by | Rusthall Manor Act 1902 |
Rusthall Manor Act 1902 | |
---|---|
Act of Parliament | |
2 Edw. 7. c. cxv | |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 28 April 1902 |
Other legislation | |
Amends |
|
The Rusthall Manor Act 1739 (
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
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[6] and Royal Victoria Hotel are both early 19th century.[7]
Events
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.[8]
During the summer, the Pantiles hosts a summer jazz season, featuring evening outdoor jazz concerts on Thursday evenings where musicians play on the historic bandstand.[9]
Cultural references
The Pantiles was used as a filming location for the 1967 musical
References
- ^ a b "The Chalybeate Spring". Visit Tunbridge Wells. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. 2010. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
- ^ "The Pantiles". InfoBritain. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
- ^ a b c d Dugdale, J. (1819): The New British Traveller, or Modern Panorama of England and Wales, Vol. 3, London: J. Robins & Co.
- ^ a b c d "Royal Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Conservation Areas Appraisal" (PDF). Section 5: The Pantiles. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, in partnership with Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society. November 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
- ^ BBC History of the World
- ^ Historic England. "The Corn Exchange (1084438)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ Historic England. "51-55, the Pantiles (1066555)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ "What's on in Tunbridge Wells". Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. 2011. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
- ^ "Pantiles Events". Retrieved 22 March 2011.
- ^ "Half a Sixpence: Filming Locations". IMDb. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
- ^ Waller, Martin (15 November 2007). "City Diary". The Times. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
- ^ "Morrisons Christmas Commercial 2009". Kent Film Office. 2009. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
- ^ "Eagle-eyed viewers spot the Very Christmas advert was filmed in The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells". Kent Live. 6 December 2001. Retrieved 11 June 2023.