Tunbridge Wells is one of those places that I don’t really know much about. When I worked in Crowborough 20 or so years ago occasionally I’d rush there and back in my lunch break if there was something I specifically wanted. But I’d never really spent any time there. I thought it might be useful to consider it an explorer day and plan accordingly. While doing some research I came across the Marc Chagall windows at All Saints, Tudeley and so decided to combine that into my day.

It was another beautiful sunny day and Tunbridge Wells seemed pretty busy, at least at the cafes along the Pantiles. I found a spot for a coffee and updated my notes before heading off for a wander.

Royal TW Mineral Water shelves labelled with the elements they contain, iron, zinc, calcium and manganese

Old wooden delivery cart bearing the Royal TW Spring Water crest and an 1736 date

I walked past the site of the spring which seems to be a bit of a ghost town.

I then headed off to The Amelia Scott. It is a museum and library combined, which is an excellent idea actually, putting art with books. I was met at the reception area and handed a leaflet with a map of the exhibitions, and was warned that the upstairs ones were closed because of the heat. Some of the artifacts weren’t coping that well with the temperatures and so they’ve put them away for safekeeping. This wasn’t something that had previously occurred to me, but I guess up and down the country museums and galleries have been making difficult decisions, working out what could stay out and what had to be put away. What a responsibility. There was a useful little exhibition called Story of the Wells, which says

Discover how Royal Tunbridge Wells grew from a woodland spring into a celebrated spa town. It begins in 1606 with the discovery of the Chalybeate Spring by Dudley, Lord North. Trace the town’s transformation into a fashionable retreat, the elegant development of The Pantiles, the architectural legacy of Decimus Burton, and the invention of Subbuteo.

This was a useful exhibition and helped fill some gaps in my knowledge - like why is it Royal Tunbridge Wells?

Notice titled Temporary Migration explaining that some objects have been evacuated due to the heat

I enjoyed the sign about the unavailable exhibits flagging it as a temporary migration.

Ornate former opera house interior with gilded balconies and chandeliers, now a pub

After leaving the Amelia, and hearing someone giving advice to another group, I headed into the nearby Wetherspoons pub to see the Opera House. An elaborate drinking establishment. The advisor had mentioned that every now and again it is closed as a pub and reopens to host an opera. That must be quite something!

Sandstone rock outcrops on the open grassland of Tunbridge Wells Commons

Having discovered that most of the cafes had closed by the time I got around to wanting lunch, I grabbed a sandwich from Gail’s and went and sat on the Commons to eat it before driving home. The Commons is a lovely space and I missed having Breezy with me to explore it more thoroughly.

An interesting day out. The windows at All Saint’s church, Tudeley were my absolute highlight.