Tinsel Town cont...
24 FESTIVE HOURS IN... TUNBRIDGE WELLS
CHRISTMASINKENT
THE PANTILES
CHARLOTTE’ S IN THE PANTILES
SKATE BEWL WATER
With its famed Georgian colonnade, sophisticated boutiques and remarkable spa-town heritage, Tunbridge Wells is a firm favourite at any time of the year. When Christmas rolls around however, its glistening shopfronts, historic architecture and calendar of seasonal highlights make it an utterly decadent spot for merry entertainment.
Perhaps the most atmospheric place to start is The Pantiles, where well-trodden walkways and cosy corners set the perfect wintry scene. Your morning coffee is best served at The Pantiles Café, where freshly roasted cups of coffee excellence are certain to give you all the fuel you need for a funfilled day on the town. Foodies will discover plenty more to savour here as The Pantiles is also home to warming breakfast spot Eggs Eleven and The CakeShed, an independent cake shop and café prided on its irresistible bakes. No festive visit here would be complete without wandering The Pantiles Christmas Market( with a warm mulled wine in hand, of course) to explore its pretty wooden chalets stocked with quirky gifts and all the seasonal food and drink you can eat. You’ ll also want to leave time to browse long-standing boutiques Trevor Mottram for the finest kitchenware, and Scottish Antiques for incredible one-of-a-kind works.
If your seasonal shopping doesn’ t end there, indoor shopping centre Royal Victoria Place houses over 50 leading brands and high street favourites to explore, including glamorous department store Fenwick. On 15 November, Royal Victoria Place will also be hosting a spectacular Christmas Light Switch-On you won’ t want to miss, so be sure to keep up to date as further details will be announced shortly.
Families will then want to wrap up warm as next up is a festive spin on the glistening ice rink of SKATE, held within the town’ s Calverley Grounds. Set to run from 5 December- 4 January, with plenty of stalls to visit either before or after your session under the lights, this an activity for everyone, whether you’ re a pro-skater or taking to the ice for the very first time.
For explorers setting out to uncover Tunbridge Wells’ equally festive villages, venture out to Bewl Water in Lamberhurst where Christmas has well and truly arrived in the form of the terrific Santa’ s Quest, offering over three hours of interactive, immersive and theatrical magic. Families can look forward to a host of themed fun from marshmallow toasting and live performances to biscuit decorating and workshop crafting.
If you haven’ t filled up too much on gingerbread and candy canes, then a relaxed form of fine dining rooted in provenance but free from pretentiousness will enthral at Thackeray’ s. With friendly service and a keen attention to detail, the restaurant is housed in the former residence of author William Makepeace Thackeray, which is over 300 years old.
Whether it’ s a glass of fizz or a perfectly shaken cocktail, there is no better way to toast the season or round off your Tunbridge Wells trip than with a tipple or two from stylish bar Charlotte’ s in the Pantiles. Charlotte’ s also conveniently places you only a stone’ s throw from the beautifully restored Tunbridge Wells Hotel, should you also wish to indulge in staycation splendour here.
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