2013

TQ5838 : The Chalybeate Spring

taken 11 years ago, near to Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England

This is 1 of 6 images, with title The Chalybeate Spring in this square
The Chalybeate Spring
The Chalybeate Spring
Chalybeate Springs

Chalybeate waters, also known as ferruginous waters, are mineral spring waters containing salts of iron.
Early in the 17th century, chalybeate water was said to have health-giving properties and many people have promoted its qualities. Dudley North, 3rd Baron North discovered the chalybeate spring at Tunbridge Wells in 1606. Dudley North’s physician claimed that the waters contained ‘vitriol’ and the waters of Tunbridge Wells could cure:
"the colic, the melancholy, and the vapours; it made the lean fat, the fat lean; it killed flat worms in the belly, loosened the clammy humours of the body, and dried the over-moist brain."
(from Wikipedia)

The Pantiles

The Pantiles is the most famous street in Tunbridge Wells. It was originally a grove of trees until the Chalybeate spring was discovered in 1606. It rapidly developed into the hub of the new spa town. The street has over 40 listed buildings on it.
The Pantiles and Tunbridge Wells itself, owe their beginnings to the discovery of the Chalybeate Spring in the early 17th century and the popularity of the spa water amongst the gentry and royalty of Georgian England. As Tunbridge Wells grew in popularity as a spa resort, so did the area surrounding the Spring - eventually leading to the building of the colonnaded walkway in the 18th century, later known as The Pantiles.
In its heyday in Georgian times, the 'Walks' as they were then known, were the place to see and be seen for visitors to Tunbridge Wells. A strict protocol was adhered to - gentry on the 'Upper Walks', the colonnade, and everyone else on the 'Lower Walks'. Richard Beau Nash, a dandy of the day made it his business to ensure that this protocol was adhered to by acting as a kind of Master of Ceremonies during 'the season' in Tunbridge Wells and in the town's rival, Bath. Things are much more relaxed nowadays and the Pantiles is now a very attractive and stylish part of Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Much of the colonnade has been renewed since its beginnings in the 17th century but most of the surrounding buildings date from the 18th and 19th centuries.
The tiled surface is Grade II listed. LinkExternal link


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright N Chadwick and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Chalybeate Spring [47] Title Clusters: · The Chalybeate Spring [6] ·
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Grid Square
TQ5838, 2001 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
N Chadwick   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Saturday, 15 June, 2013   (more nearby)
Submitted
Friday, 13 September, 2013
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TQ 5813 3879 [10m precision]
WGS84: 51:7.5941N 0:15.5023E
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TQ 5814 3878
View Direction
NORTH (about 0 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Supplemental image
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