The discovery of spa water from the Chalybeate Spring in the seventeenth century marked the start of the Pantiles and of Royal Tunbridge Wells. The popularity of this spa water amongst the upper class Georgians, led to the popularity of Tunbridge Wells as a spa resort. The area surrounding the spring, became a colonnaded walkway in the eighteenth century, this is the Pantiles. Most of the buildings date from 18th and 19th Century. Water is still served in summer by traditional dipper. In the present day, the Pantiles also has many varied and interesting shops to fascinate the visitor.
