A charming town just 45 minutes from south east London has been named one of the best places to live in the UK.
Royal Tunbridge Wells is known for its elegant architecture, green spaces and rich history.
The town has earned an impressive overall ranking of 17 out of 1,447 towns, cities and villages in England and Wales, according to a new report by Garrington Property Finders.
The annual ranking by the property buying agency evaluates locations based on five key criteria: natural beauty, wellbeing, heritage and culture, schools and employment opportunities, and value for money.
Royal Tunbridge Wells scored particularly well for its natural environment, coming in third overall, a testament to its picturesque parks, commons and surrounding countryside.
Meanwhile its wellbeing and employment scores were more modest, ranking 809 and 400, respectively.
With an average family home priced at £716,094 and property values showing a steady 0.74 per cent increase over the past year, Royal Tunbridge Wells balances prestige with long-term investment potential, making it a strong contender for families and professionals alike.
The town is just a 45-minute train ride from London Bridge, offering would-be commuters a scenic location to live whilst still being within easy reach of the city for work.
Anyone looking to live in this Kent borough could expect to pay an average of £298,032 for a flat and £451,018 for a terraced house, according to data from Rightmove.
Royal Tunbridge Wells was first established as a spa town back in 1606, after a medicinal spring that contained chalybeate water was discovered.
From there the town soon became a popular spa destination for people looking for a countryside retreat.
Today the town keeps its links to rejuvenation and health, with many wellness, yoga and fitness studios vying for your attention.
For places to eat, the town is full of popular local restaurants, with 23 named winners in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards 2024, including Sofia’s Columbian Kitchen and LagodiComo Bar & Restaurant, that both hold 5-star ratings on TripAdvisor.
Within the town you can find many historic attractions such as the historic Spa Valley Railway, where you can see what remains of the Wealden Line which once connected Lewes with Kent up until 1985.
The area also has its fair share of green spaces, with six that have received highly coveted Green Flags, including Dunorlan Park, Calverley Grounds, and Grosvenor and Hilbert Park.
Aside from country walks, Tunbridge Wells is also situated within a short distance of many local National Trust properties, from Scotney Castle and Gardens where you can see the remains of a 12th-century castle, to Knole in Sevenoaks which is the UK’s largest medieval deer park dating back to the 15th century.
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