You might be looking to make likeminded friends as a new mum, or find some fun-filled activities for the children to enjoy all year round – the royal spa town has all of this and more…
Family-friendly eateries
Whether they’re indulging in a hot chocolate at Chocolatl on The Pantiles, enjoying a slice of delicious cake at Langton Pavilion Café, or playing board games while tucking in to a hearty breakfast at Daily Bread in Rusthall, the kids will be well and truly spoiled for choice when it comes to their food.
Clare Lush-Mansell, founder of parenting and lifestyle blog My Tunbridge Wells, says: ‘Tunbridge Wells offers so much for kids, from tiny tots up to teenagers and beyond. It feels like there are new things popping up constantly, including child-friendly cafés, adventure playgrounds and more!’
Georgina Edwards Photography
Amazing spaces
From Calverley Grounds and Dunorlan Park, to the Grove and Hilbert and Grosvenor, there are plenty of places where youngsters can run around in the great outdoors, while soft play, kids’ activities and family events are also readily available at nearby venues like Groombridge Place and Bewl Water. So, come school holidays, they’ll keep themselves busy and stay entertained for hours on end.
Adds Clare: ‘Tunbridge Wells offers a good balance of outdoor activities, as well as things to do indoors, with many venues hosting different events during each school holiday, which they change from year to year.’
Inspiring arts
Each year, there’s a whole host of festivals and events that help to bring art and culture to life for young children. The Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival’s biennial programme comprises object theatre, animation and puppetry for everyone from babies to grown-ups, whereas Trinity Youth Theatre‘s ongoing activities include productions, workshops, photoshoots, musical days and much more.
Youth and learning manager Jason Lower comments: ‘Tunbridge Wells is a great place for young people to explore every bit of the arts and culture, and there are lots of opportunities for anyone to get involved, regardless of skill level or experience.’
Nic Bisseker Photography
Mummy meet-ups
Tunbridge Wells is the perfect place to get involved in some warm and welcoming events with other local mums. Mum’s the Word is an exciting events company hosting inspiring meet-ups, talks and live events ‘for mamas and their families’, plus Mama Mixers organises social events and nights out for local mothers looking to mingle with fellow parents.
Co-founder Vickey Fitzell states: ‘I love Tunbridge Wells – it’s a great place to live when starting a family, as there’s so much on offer. It’s such a vibrant town, with so many mums providing services for other mums and their children.’
Height of fashion
Looking for the ideal outfit to dress your little ones in? Tunbridge Wells is full of stylish emporiums that purvey the latest looks and trends. There’s a mixture of fabulous independents and bigger-brand stores, including Polarn O. Pyret, which produces colourful, contemporary clothing for babies and children, and Childrensalon, which has been ‘dressing children beautifully’ since 1952.
CEO Michele Harriman-Smith concludes: ‘Tunbridge Wells is our home; it’s where Childrensalon was conceived and holds immense sentimental value to us. We have such an emotional attachment to this wonderful town and people, and couldn’t imagine being based anywhere else!’
