🇬🇧 Royal Tunbridge Wells, England 🇬🇧

Just south of London, there is a small town called Royal Tunbridge Wells. RTW was originally called Tunbridge Wells, and was established in the 1700s. RTW is full of small town charm.

My partner and I lived just down the street in Crowborough, so we came to RTW often. We really appreciated the book stores, delicious cakes and small-town feel. During this one specific occasion, we walked around for the afternoon, enjoying the tiny shops, ancient book stores, yummy cafes and colorful little houses!

Here are the 7 best things to do in Royal Tunbridge Wells!

1. Afternoon Tea

We went to Afternoon Tea at one of the local hotels. It was soooooo yummy! We had cups and cups of tea and hot chocolate, rolled up pistachio and buttercream cake, a jam and custard pastry and, of course, the much adored scone with clotted cream and jam. The staff was professional and there was s specific room for tea! It had comfy chairs and quiet seating areas, with large windows opening to the gardens. It was a perfect place to enjoy everything sugary and delicious.

2. Window Shopping

The shopping here was shiny, colorful and expensive, but if you’ve got some extra cash, Royal Tunbridge Wells is a good place to spend it. There are book stores, clothing boutiques, small trinket stores, and a few resale shops for the budget-minded folks. RTW is a grand time for the eyes and the wallet. It’s not as expensive as London (although very few places are, haha), considering around 30% of their income comes from the tourism industry.

3. Exploring Colors

Everything from window shopping to cake ordering was a feast for the eyes. There are enchanting little shops everywhere, and the food is quite delicious. My favorite cafes are all places that involve cake, and I had plenty to choose from.

4. Frolic Downtown

We loved the benches and beautiful trees lining the main street. The shopping street connects directly to the train station, so once you exit the station, take a left (or go straight for the book stores!) and you’ll find yourself immersed in a wonderland of pretty boutiques and cafes smelling of carrot cake.

5. Grab a Snack

I know I’ve mentioned food before, but this deserves its own category here. We had a piece of yummy carrot cake, that just so happened to be vegan (I couldn’t tell the difference at all!), and then head for one of the grand hotels for some Afternoon Tea. You’ll leave with a belly full of decedent goodness, and a satisfied sweet tooth.

6. Second Hand shops

The second hand store right across from the train station was our favorite. They have a massive collection of adorable shoes and jewelry, as well as colorful bric-a-brac and a wide selection of clothing. I got a bunch of cat stuff that I didn’t need, but my shopping-addicted self was perfectly okay with filling my bag just a little. 😉