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With an atmosphere akin to that of the most elegant London ‘villages’, the historic spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells sits within the lush green landscape of the Garden of England.

The town exists thanks to the discovery of the natural Chalybeate Spring in 1606 by well-travelled English nobleman Dudley Lord North – 3rd Baron North. Over subsequent years, the town’s fame grew with people attracted by its bustling vitality, surrounding countryside and proximity to London.

Royal seal of approval

Many royal and aristocratic visitors fell in love with Tunbridge Wells and in 1909, Edward VII officially recognised its popularity – not least with his mother Queen Victoria – by bestowing the ‘Royal’ prefix.

Decimus Burton brings the countryside to town

Tunbridge Wells is known for its prestigious parks: Calverley Park, Hungershall Park, Nevill Park, and Camden Park. The oldest, Calverley Park, was designed by renowned 19th century architect Decimus Burton, whose career spanned the Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods.

Burton developed the concept ‘rus in urbe’ – bringing the beauty and values of the countryside into the town. His vision has remained true in Calverley Park, thanks to conservation controls, with other parks in the town continuing the theme. Here, you will find exquisite Victorian villas, Grade II and II* listed Regency houses and renovated mews houses, with wonderful rural views right in the heart of town.

Elsewhere in the town and its popular surrounding villages, house styles include beamy 17th century, Georgian and Victorian farmhouses and cottages, magnificent rural country estates, equestrian properties and striking individual contemporary homes.

Enduring popularity

The town has long been popular for its commutability, with a journey time into London of less than an hour by train, and its many highly regarded schools for all ages in the vicinity, including the Kent grammar schools. Along with the commutability and excellent schooling, the lifestyle is what attracts people to the town, with its elegant architecture including the historic Pantiles, known for its charming Georgian colonnade, and variety of cultural, entertainment and shopping attractions. The town has two theatres and hosts summer jazz festivals and regular food and craft markets. The High Street and the Royal Victoria Shopping Centre are home to a combination of national chains and independent shops and boutiques.

There is an abundance of cafés, such as popular Juliets and Fine Grind, and pubs and restaurants including The Warren, The Beacon and Mount Edgcumbe – along with London-based favourites The Ivy and Gails Bakery. The impending opening of The Pig in nearby Groombridge in 2025 is already creating a buzz for those considering moving here, cementing the desirability of the area.

Beyond the town itself are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the surrounding countryside which has attracted people to the area for hundreds of years. These include the Ashdown Forest, Bedgebury Pinetum, Bewl Water and numerous National Trust properties.

House prices in the area

For a well-presented executive two bedroom apartment in a convenient town centre location, buyers can expect to pay upwards of £450,000 while for a smart, period three bedroom terraced property with a pretty courtyard garden and on-street parking within immediate reach of the High Street, prices are from around £650,000. A four/five bedroom modern townhouse is going to be approaching £1m and beyond, depending on the size of the house, garden and additional attributes, with private park houses within the town moving into the several million pounds mark.

Below is a selection of properties currently for sale in Tunbridge Wells: