Officially known as Royal Tunbridge Wells, it's one of a few towns and boroughs in England to officially be given a royal title. It came from King Edward VII in 1909, partly to commemorate the fact that his mother, Queen Victoria, had loved the town so much.

Probably the best known attraction in the town is The Pantiles - pedestrianized street with shops and cafes and plenty of splendid Georgian architecture. It gets its name from the square tiles with which it was originally paved. In Georgian times the fashionable set would gather here to promenade and take the waters, and it remains a lively stretch especially in sunny weather.  The Pantiles  has been shortlisted as one of the best high streets in Great Britain, and various films and TV shows have been shot around here.  

Nearby the Royal Tunbridge Wells you will see the manor house Penshurst Place - hunting ground and holiday home of the most famous Tudor of all, King Henry VIII. This magnificent 14^th -century house  has been home to Sidney family since 1552  and was birthplace of Sir Philip Sidney, the Elizabethan soldier, poet and all-round Renaissance Man.  Sidney family  still resides  there today.

Penshurst Place gardens were first opened to the public in 1947, and these days, they are indeed a gardener's and photographer's — dream.

Royal Tunbridge Wells is a nice place to stroll around with a Victorian high street and some excellent restaurants and pubs.