Kent - Tunbridge Wells - Mount Ephraim

            The Postcard

A postally unused Valentine's Series postcard. The card has a divided back.

The Development of the Wells

Dudley Lord North, a distinguished courtier during the reign of King James I, discovered the waters in 1606. Having lived a fashionably excessive lifestyle, he retired to the countryside (in nearby Eridge) in an unsuccessful attempt to repair his health. 

Travelling through woodland on his return to London, he discovered the waters and decided to try them. He found his health completely restored, and lived to the age of 80.

With public interest aroused, Lord Abergavenny cleared the area of brushwood, sank wells and surrounded them with stone paving and railings. The waters subsequently attracted other visitors, who also claimed their health to be restored.

Although few in number, due to the lack of accommodation nearby (at this time, the nearest being in Tunbridge (now Tonbridge), some 5 miles to the north), the visitors were of high social standing. They included Henrietta Maria of France, wife of King Charles I, six weeks after the birth of her son (later to become King Charles II) whose party camped in opulent tents erected at Bishops Down, due to the lack of nearby lodgings.

Originally referred to as Frant Wells, they were later renamed Queen Mary’s Wells, in honour of Queen Mary II, and were only later given the present name of Tunbridge Wells.

The Upper and Lower Walks were created in 1638, when an existing bank of earth stretching south-west from the wells was levelled and planted with a double row of trees. Wooden buildings were constructed on both sides of the Walks.

Post-Restoration Development

The wells were neglected and almost forgotten during the English civil wars. Following the Restoration, several improvements were made to the immediate area, including construction of an assembly room and bowling green. 

In 1664, following a dangerous illness, the queen (Catherine of Braganza) was ordered to drink the waters, increasing their popularity.

In 1687, a fire destroyed the wooden buildings located on either side of the Walks. The buildings were later rebuilt with the colonnades which give the Pantiles its distinctive character today. By 1697, coffee houses had been developed in the area.

Taken on: August 26, 2022

Tags:

postcard

old

nostalgia

nostalgic

Tunbridge

Wells

Mount

Ephraim

Valentine

divided

back

Dudley

Lord

North

34WME39

sheep

flock « less

Sets appears in: • UK

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