Royal Tunbridge Wells Books

Spa Valley Railway

by David Staines

Two of my favourite things are combined in this fantastic book, railways and, of course, Tunbridge Wells. This book is basically the story of the preservation of the line between Eridge and Tunbridge Wells that was closed in 1985.
David Staines takes us on a photographic journey of the work to preserve the line and of the trains and locos that have run on it since its restoration. The first in a promised two volumes of work, this book is packed with glorious colour photos on every page of the Spa Valley Railway, its workers, its construction and its visiting locomotives.
A thoroughly brilliant book with enough information and pictures to satisfy the most ardent of railway enthusiasts. If you have ever had a day out on the Spa Valley Railway, and I'm sure most boys, Dads and Granddads in Tunbridge Wells have, then this is the book for you. A perfect Fathers Day or Christmas Present for Dad.
Published May 2009; 144 pages; hardback.

By Royal Appointment: Why Do They Call It Royal Tunbridge Wells?

<by Chris Jones

Why do they call it Royal Tunbridge Wells? Chris Jones explains just how Tunbridge Wells became Royal Tunbridge Wells in this, the tenth book from the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society. The book also describes in lovely detail all the royal visitors that have visited our town, where they walked, where they stayed and some general biographies of each.
Written to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our Royal title, you can follow in the footsteps of royalty with this great book.
Published Mar 2009; 40 pages; paperback.

The Church of King Charles the Martyr, Tunbridge Wells: A New History

by John George Charles Fuller

This great book is an in-depth history of the first permanent building in Tunbridge Wells, the King Charles the Martyr Church.
Its a really good read on how the building grew from the first tiny chapel, through its enlargements and extensions to it becoming a Parish Church in the late 19th Century.
There are numerous exclusive images in the book showing the chapel through the ages as well as its place in famous works of art. There are also lots of architectural drawings and a whole chapter dedicated to the construction of the chapel which proves very interesting.
You can also discover how and why the chapel was turned sideways, and how the building was saved from collapse and ruin.
An amazing building to visit and such a substantial part of our local history that no Tunbridge Wells shelf should be without it.
Published July 2000; 108 pages; paperback.

The Origins of Warwick Park and the Nevill Ground

by John Cunningham

Another great book from the pen of John Cunningham at the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society, The Origins of Warwick Park and the Nevill Ground.
Full of the usual gloriously high detail that you've come to expect from a Civic Society publication, this book takes you on a journey of the creation of Warwick Park from the land before it was created and its owners, the Abergavenny Family, through to the estate's construction. this book describes everything in minute detail. There is even a great chapter on the major players who played their part in the birth of the Park.
Perhaps most interesting is reading the Appendices which give historical records and lists on all the buildings around the Park, including costs, owners, builders, architects, and even running costs.
If you live around Warwick Park and the Nevill Ground and would love to know just how, when and why your house was built this book should be a no-brainer, but even if you just take a small interest in the history of Tunbridge Wells you should pick up a copy as it's a great read.
Published June 2007; 184 pages; paperback.

Tunbridge Wells in 1909 - The Year We Became "Royal"

by Chris Jones

I must get asked, literally 100s of times a day, where did the R come from in RTW come from. Well now I am safe to hide behind a fabulous new book from the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society. Tunbridge Wells in 1909 by Chris Jones is a month-by-month diary taking us through the year that we obtained our Royal title. Its an utterly absorbing book that lasted me just a few hours as I raced through discovering just how our ancestors lived and shaped our town.
Fascinating tales of immigration, unemployment, countless applications for skating rinks, politics, the economy, in fact most of the same troubles that face the country today. You'll read open-mouthed at the stories of the local train crash, the workhouses, the domestic servants and the branding of the town with its shiny new title. The back of the book is devoted to a tour of the town in 1909, pointing out all the local landmarks and buildings together with lots of new exclusive pictures to go along with the text which in themselves are worth the money.
This is a wonderful book that had me in wonder and amusement from start to finish.
Published December 2008; 210 pages; paperback.

Tales of Old Tunbridge Wells

by Frank Chapman

A great book for those fans of Frank Chapman's column in the Kent and Sussex Courier. For those of you who love to read Frank's wonderful collection of stories, legends and lesser known anecdotes from the last 100 years of history will really love this book.
Learn the true origins of Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells, tales of murder, the day the town bought a horse and snow in August along with many other enlightening stories. This is the perfect book to place next to the paper in the smallest room in the house.
Published January 1999; 160 pages; hardback.

Walk Along and Around the Tunbridge Wells Circular

by Kent County Council

This book describes in detail 11 spectacular walks that take in 27.5 miles of the glorious countryside that surrounds Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Each waymarked walk takes in fascinating local features and the text allows you to learn about the area along the way. The maps even take into account your need for a pint and some lunch and the obligatory toilet break.
With a range of distances from 1.5hrs to 5, 6, 7 or even the giant 22hr full "Challenge" you can always find yourself an interesting walk to while away an enjoyable day in the High Weald.
If you are in the area for a holiday or even a day out hiking, you really need this book. Get it and get out walking.
Published June 2001; 60 pages; paperback.

A History of Mount Sion

by Roger Farthing

Mount Sion, as you may know, is my favourite part of Royal Tunbridge Wells and therefore this book takes pride of place in my collection. Often called 'the village', the history of the area is incredibly fascinating and has been researched in great, no make that amazing, detail by Roger Farthing.
This weighty 500 page tome is decorated throughout with hundreds of beautiful photographs and illustrations, and is a visual treat for any Tunbridge Wells enthusiast. Facts and figures are presented in extreme detail along with great stories and anecdotes about the people who lived in the village.
I challenge anyone to not be totally enthralled by this book which will make a wonderful contribution to your library and if you happen to live in the village should be a required purchase.
Published December 2003; 500 pages; hardback.

Royal Tunbridge Wells: A History

by CW Chalklin.

Renowned historian, Dr Christopher Chalklin, gives us the benefit of his expertise on the history of Tunbridge Wells in this new book from Phillimore Publishing.
The number of books on this very popular subject, i.e. the growth of the town from its 17th Century health resort beginnings to the end of the 20th Century, are many but this book gives it another view and is accompanied by lots of new images to freshen the subject.
Nothing ground breaking, but full of really nice illustrations and again one for the collector of Tunbridge Wells literature.
Published August 2008; 160 pages; hardback.

Decimus Burton Esquire: Architect and Gentleman 1800-1881

by Philip Whitbourn.

You can't really mention the building of Tunbridge Wells without mentioning Decimus Burton in the same sentence. This second edition of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society Monographs by Philip Whitbourn improves over the first edition by including a new section on Calverley New Town.
Read about the wonderful buildings designed and construced by Burton, together with some fabulous exclusive sketches and plans of the buildings in question.
Read from his early years, through his early influences, his first works, his very famous works, to his final days. The life and times of the great architect are a brilliant read and one that will give you a new and fresh insight into Tunbridge Wells and could possibly even end up making you appreciate our surroundings a little more.
Definitely one for the collection, and even one for purchase if you own the first edition.
Published November 2006; 88 pages; paperback.

400 Years of the Wells: A History of Tunbridge Wells and Its Development

edited by John Cunningham.

Probably the most referenced book in my library. This great book is the one I'd recommend for a beginner who wants to learn about the history of Royal Tunbridge Wells, or even as a gift to someone you know how is/was a resident.
Written by a distinguished group of local historians and Civic Society members for the 400th Anniversary of our town, this publication charts our history from the very ancient beginnings 100s of millions of years ago right thorugh to the 21st Century.
Each chapter through history is written by a different author who is an expert in the field and therefore makes for a varied read. Great for dipping into every now and again for a new nugget of information. I almost guarantee you will learn something new about your surroundings from this book.
A great book, a must own book.
Every Tunbridge Wells home should have one.
Published October 2005; 200 pages; paperback.

Wellspring: A Portrait in Verse of Royal Tunbridge Wells

by Colin Aston

Wellspring is a book of poetry based on Tunbridge Wells, or as the author himself puts it "a portrait in verse of Royal Tunbridge Wells".
I shall tempt you into tracking down a copy with some of Colin's beautiful words. "Sunshine licks at the mintiest domes, an architecture of pleasure and welcome" in the poem "The Way Around", in which Colin takes us on a photography tour around the Wells. Colin then he leaves us on the final page with "The Pantiles less the derring-do; Near gentle Groves cool retinue; King Charles the Martyr claims the true; Royal, loyal, Tunbridge Wells".
Its lovely to read the poetic thoughts of someone who obviously loves this town as much as I do. If you're passionate about Tunbridge Wells then this book highly deserves a place on your bookshelf.
It's inspired me to undertake some poem-themed walks to Colin's words, I'd love to know if you feel the same way after reading it.
Published July 1995; 56 pages; paperback.

David Peacock's Tunbridge Wells Sketchbook - 25 Years On

by David Peacock and Frank Chapman.

This is one of my most thumbed books in my collection. The "sketchbook" is a visit back to the original 1978 edition of the book which encompassed fabulous drawings by David of historic buildings around town accompanied by descriptive text from Frank Chapman.
The 25 Years On edition re-visits those original locations for a fresh look and a fresh sketch. It's the perfect appetiser for a visitor to the town on a day out or perhaps for the holidaymaker to plan a weekend visit as it provides a lovely introduction to our historic architecture.
Every Tunbridge Wells home should have one.
Published October 2003; 112 pages; paperback.

Tunbridge Wells in Literature - An Anthology

by Susan Brown.

The latest book from the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society is a collection of extracts from novels, poems, diaries, letters and travelogues from writers who lived in or visited Tunbridge Wells and felt passionate enough to put pen/quill to paper. Which lets face it the most of us want to do.
Starting with the diarist John Evelyn's visit in 1652 to drink the waters, through Samuel Pepys' rather bad review of the waters, William Thackeray's "Tunbridge Toys" , HG Wells' novel "Christina Alberta's Father" through to Richard Cobb's autobiography in the 1980's, plenty has been written about the town. Not an exhaustive breakdown of Tunbridge Wells in print but a very interesting step through time.
Definitely one for the bookshelf, even if it is just to impress your friends with the line "ahh, the great [insert famous author] once wrote this about that..."
Published May 2008; 116 pages; paperback.

Historical Atlas of Tunbridge Wells

by John Cunningham.

From the great creative stables of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Civic Society comes the Historical Atlas of Tunbridge Wells.
Now it’s probably a boy thing but I love poring over maps, seeing how the landscape has changed over the years and also imagining walking those old lanes and byways. This large book doesn't disappoint, it features over 80 maps (28 of them in colour) of the town and surrounding areas and takes the reader on a journey from the earliest 16th century maps of the area before the town even existed, right through to the present day, all in glorious detail.
Accompanying each map is a page of text that explains what you are looking at, who penned it and lots more interesting factoids besides.
As well as the usual town maps, there are some fascinating estate maps. Maps drawn by the developers of estates such as Bishops Down Park, Broadwater Down and Warwick Park, showing how they were laying out their ambitious plans, some even with little "sold" icons on the homes that had already been snapped up.
Some of the most interesting maps are maps into the future, a future which never existed. A couple of these great maps show The Pantiles that never was and an ambitious plan for an Arndale Centre complete with lorry parks, petrol stations and one-way system from the 1970's that thankfully never made it past the public inquiry.
A captivating book for everyone and a must-have for anyone who loves Tunbridge Wells history or cartography in general. This is one for the coffee table for sure.
Published November 2007; 136 pages; paperback.