insideKENT Magazine Issue 53 - August 2016 | 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.
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 bea utifully
restored trains.
Scotney Castle
A country house, romantic garden, and a 14thcentury moated castle – all in a beautiful wooded
estate; Scotney Castle Gardens, a National Trust
property, is a wonderful family day out. You can
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have a meal in the tea room after exploring the
fairytale castle, the mansion house, or the 770acre woods, and before you leave you can pick
up some Scotney honey from the property’s own
bees from the shop.
Dunloran Park
Dunloran Park has it all; it’s a beautiful spot for
a walk, ideal for a bit of boating, and with its
attractive lawns, ornamental gardens, and lovely
café, a whole day could be spent here without
any trouble at all. Included within the grounds
are a boating lake, children’s play area, Victoria
Cross Grove, pond dipping, and the Royal
Tunbridge Wells Model Boat Club.
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 smoked
salmon with lightly curried butter; pecorino and
bacon croque monsieur with tomato and
rosemary fondue; and chargrilled rump of Kentish
lamb with Moroccan style couscous, apricots,
mint, tomato, red onion, and ‘Ras al Hanout’
spice as well as many other intriguing and mouthwatering dishes.