insideKENT Magazine Issue 43 - October 2015 | Page 119

Royal Victoria Place
If The Pantiles is your ticket to the past, Royal
Victoria Place shopping centre is the future. This
1,000,000 square foot (93,000 square metre)
covered centre has over 100 different shops and
services under one roof, and with eight floors of
parking you can enjoy your retail therapy without
any hassle.

Scotney Castle

Trinity Theatre
Located in the centre of Tunbridge Wells, Trinity
is a vibrant theatre in one of the most beautiful
buildings in the region, hosting around 350 events
a year, ranging from the best in theatre and dance
through to the biggest names in comedy and
music. With some 90,000 people coming through
its doors each year alongside a dynamic
programme of participation for young people, it
is acknowledged as one of the leading venues
in the South East.
Spa Valley Railway
Experience the delights of real old fashioned
steam locomotives; take a trip on one, learn
about how they are cared for, or even enjoy a
special event – a meal or perhaps a Day Out
With Thomas – on board one of the beautifully
restored trains.
Scotney Castle Garden
A country house, romantic garden, and a 14thcentury moated castle – all in a beautiful wooded
estate; Scotney Castle Gardens, a National Trust

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property, is a wonderful family day out. You can
have a meal in the tea room after exploring the
fairytale castle, the mansion house, or the 770
acre woods, and before you leave you can pick
up some Scotney bitter and honey from the
property’s own bees from the shop.

dining out
Thackeray’s
Amongst the oldest of the buildings along London
Road is one that is weather-boarded, tile-hung
and built in a traditional Kentish style; this was
William Makepeace Thackeray’s home, and it is
now Thackeray’s restaurant by Richard Phillips.
The menu here is refined and elegant, delicious
and delightful and includes layers of sm