The elegant colonnaded walkway known as the Pantiles has become probably the most well known view of Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Once the playground of the gentry and royalty, the Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells remains a pleasant place to browse, shop, eat, drink and stroll.
The practice of drinking from natural cold springs for health reasons dates back to Roman times.
During the reign of Elizabeth I, this practice of taking the waters for health reasons grew in popularity amongst the nobility.
They would leave the Court travelling to the established Spa towns of Bath and Buxton seeking medicinal well- being.
Away from Court they took advantage of the opportunities provided to establish relationships with individuals from different social backgrounds to exchange ideas and opinions. Free from the restrictions of Court the concept of a holiday as we know it today was started.
The chance discovery by Lord North in 1606, who was returning to court in London after a three month stay in the country, of a Spring with distinctive reddish tinted mineral deposits lead to the development of the Pantiles and Royal Tunbridge Wells.