This walking tour will look at the history of the Pantiles where in 1606, the medicinal springs that would put Tunbridge Wells on the map were discovered.

The chance discovery of a medicinal spring in 1606 by a jaded courtier on his way back to London was the start of the story of Tunbridge Wells. From nothing, it rapidly found fame amongst the great and the good (including royalty), who were attracted by the healing waters, the dancing, the shopping and the gambling. It was the out of town rural setting where one had to be seen. Today, the Pantiles retains its Georgian splendour as a retail and leisure destination, still blissfully cocooned from the the outside world.