Welcome to the website of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society. The Society is an independent organisation
which campaigns for the conservation and improvement of this attractive town with its important heritage and rich cultural life.
- see more about our objectives and background;
- get the latest news on current issues;
- learn about Tunbridge Wells' greatest architect Decimus Burton;
- find out about the Decimus Burton Museum and Study Centre Project;
- see what the Daily Mail has to say about the decision to sell 9 & 10 Crescent Road Daily Mail 11th November 2023;
- download our latest Newsletter;
- check out our latest Publication (use the Publications tab to buy on-line);
- send us your comments on any of our activities or on current issues in the town.
Updated booklet on The Pantiles now available to order
The Pantiles, in the town of Royal Tunbridge Wells, is one of south-east England's most unexpected delights. Protected from traffic, it offers the visitor a range of shops, restaurants and historic buildings in a unique setting. This booklet explains its history - from the discovery of the spring in 1606 through four centuries of change.
Sized at 164 x 240 mm it costs just £4.95. You can get your copy by clicking on the link above to our Publications page and ordering on-line.
Our next event for 2025:
Thursday 10th April 7.30pm at Christ Church, High Street, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1UT
'Explore and Discover Winchelsea' - an illustrated talk by David Clarke who tells how Winchelsea is an opportunity to imagine a life in a town whose Grand Design has little changed in over 700 years. There are three medieval gates that guard the approaches, the old Court Hall that once acted as the gaol and the seat of the Mayor's power, and a great church that promised so much, its grandeur and wealth reflects the affluence and influence of the town in the 14th century. The stunning Georgian houses that have their ancient founding roots in their medieval vaults trace a history back to the town's wine trade and despite its difficult past, it has survived to capture a unique vision of King Edward I's dream of a hilltop town. Winchelsea's stagnation was arrested towards the middle of the 19th century with the new Town Well, the restoration of the Church of St Thomas and, when its decayed grandeur was discovered by artists and writers and Pre-Raphaelite Victorians. Turner and Millais painted, Thackeray, Ford Maddox Ford and Joseph Conrad wrote, actress Ellen Terry came for the quiet life, Beatrix Potter rented Haskards, Elgar stayed to play golf and H. G. Wells wrote a short story called Miss Winchelsea's Heart. All attracted by the town's grace. In 1866, Dante Gabriel Rosetti said of the Mayor and Corporation's procession it was "observed by a mob of one female child in the street and by us from the inn window". It is little different today.
