Please tell me all you know about Tunbridge Wells

[IWorkHardForMyMoney]

We (DH, 2 DC and myself) are looking for our 'forever' home. We currently live in London. We have friends who have very recently moved to TW and are loving it. We have visited a couple of times and have really loved the vibe, but maybe that's because it was a glorious August evening and they were playing live music at the Pantiles and a lot of beer was also involved . What can you tell me about living in TW? DH works in Blackfriars, I work from home, DS's are 6. Our budget for a house would be in the region of £600K and private education would not be an option. We are a multicultural family and I'll be honest, I worry a little about how we'll be perceived, but maybe I'm the one being prejudiced.

I know that people there are often disgusted.

Not sure if that helps.

I think TW is more multicultural than the stereotypical image, for example each summer there is a "mela" in one of the lovely parks which celebrates diversity with dancing, ethnic food, etc. We don't live in TW itself but it's one of our nearest big towns for shopping and it has a lovely atmosphere, I think and lots going on - theatre, concerts etc and good state schools.

If you're looking at villages as well, Langton Green might be worth a look.

Dammit Trills - YOU STOLE MY LINE!

I grew up there and DPs live near Pantiles. First off we lived other end and I went to St James. Historically there's been a very broad north/south divide in terms of the 'not so naice'/'naice' sides of town. StJ is north, Claremont is south. In reality there are a blend of lovely houses and cheaper ones wherever you go in the town. Agents always say 'sought after Village area' - that's in the south, off high street and near Claremont. Prices there and in several roads thereabouts are high.

There are some lovely roads up around St James and TWGGS. TW is a bit like anywhere in London that's zone 1 to 3 in my opinion - some parts have snob value but really anywhere within those zones could drum up a potentially lovely house and community.

Anyone being weird with you because you are multi-cultural family would be a cunt IMO. My folks and their mates certainly wouldn't bat an eyelid. Having said that, it's still not massively diverse, but it's becoming more so.

The whole town is a shopping Mecca IMO. All parts have something to offer; again north more high street and south more boutique, but exceptions in both cases.

For hanging out Pantiles & off High Street is best for me (but biased). Saying that there are some great places along London Road, Mount Ephraim and Southborough. It's biased towards pubs and restaurants; not many clubs. There are some late night bars though.

At the beginning it can feel a bit cold in terms of community but if it does, it's not personal and in time you'll just morph somehow to feel a real part of things. There are great villages and pubs around.

High Brooms a good alternative station for northside but you may struggle for a seat more. There's a direct commuter service to Cannon Street c.40mins, that should work for your DH.

And I'm done... PM me if you want; not there now but go regularly to see my folks.

Every time I've been to Tunbridge Wells I've ended up sitting in hideous traffic trying to get through the town.

That's my only contribution...HTH.

Eugene I went to St James too - Primary (am 31).
Lived in T.wells and miss it. Went on to live in Guildford and found it v. different (bit more pushy, richer possibly, but not classier) but perhaps more multicultural :- slightly nearer London? Saying that I went to an Independent just outside T.Wells and have had the most multicultural upbringing of anyone I know!

eugene I also grew up there - and dps also live near the Pantiles! But I'm very old.
It's interesting but the "village area" off the High Street that estate agents rave about nowadays was a bit on the dodgy side in my day - I wasn't allowed to walk home through the Grove for instance! Mind you, what constituted "dodgy" in TW in the 70s wouldn't even qualify today.
cointreau you need to acquaint yourself with the back roads to avoid all that traffic.
By the way, heard recently that the catchment area for TWGGS (the girls' grammar) is down to about 1.4 miles. Which means that we would no longer have got in from Broadwater Down (southern-most point of the town pretty much). So watch that, if 11+ is on your radar. Skinners (the boys' grammar) selects on scores only, and therefore takes from further out.

Actually, I should qualify re: the village area. If they mean Madeira Park and Mt Sion and up towards Claremont then they were always nice. But the actual Grove park was a mess. Went there recently and it was transformed.

clam - actually yes; we moved '84 (I an 37 btw) and the Grove was somewhere you wouldn't walk alone. It was transformed by the Great Storm, when about 80% of the trees fell... Perhaps an exaggeration, but loads anyway.

Well, any area like that has the potential harbour bad people; even if all the houses around are filled with nice families (as one is led to believe). If anything it goes to show how places change!

In my day girls looked equally at TWGGS and TGGS; don't know if Tonbridge now has a catchment... if it does then grammar offering is reduced considerably. Bennett is a good comp though; my DSis' mate got 12 A*s from there.

Bennett is a church school though so you'll need to get your God on if you want dc to go there.

Not that I'm cynical you understand...

In terms of Grammar Twells is also in catchment for Weald of Kent (girls) and Twells Boys which are both Grammar but not so academically select as the other grammars (skinners, Judd, Tonbridge Girls).

I grew up in and around T Wells, and second what others have said. It's not massively culturally diverse, but despite it's reputation it's an open minded place, I've always found. The parks in town are lovely, and there's beautiful countryside on your doorstep.

Educationally, as others have said, it's hard to get into the really good selective schools, and a lot of out of county kids get coached through the 11+ for places at Skinners and Judd.

The town itself is lovely, your budget is good enough for a nice area, and don't discount the villages around there if you fancy village life. East Sussex (on the south edge of T Wells) has some lovely villages, with train stations, and comprehensive education - the school/community college in Wadhurst used to have a good reputation (happy to be corrected if it's not as naice now), and my friends that went there were far posher than the ones at TWGGS.

Good luck, I loved my teenage years there.

Wot, Faye, so Is you sayin I ain't posh?

Wow! You lot are being really helpful. Thanks ever so much!
In terms of school, if being religious is a requirement, then we're definitely out.
Village living? No, never.
So It sounds to me like I need to live in catchment for Skinners and the boys grammar, so where should I be looking to buy or rent and what primary schools would we be in catchment for?

Toughasoldboots yes I have 2 boys in Y1, both very bright so selective grammar would be okay I think as they were both accepted in super selective prep when they did 3+ only we could only afford to pay for one! If they don't get into Skninners from what I can see the boys grammar would be a very good option. We're not overly competitive, just want what suits them best. I do realise they'll need to be tutored so if you have any advice on finding someone I would be most grateful.
So if I aim to live within catchment on the boys grammar, what primary schools should I be looking into?

By what you have said OP I would be looking at St.Johns primary. One of the more sought after schools so the catchment area isn't very big but with your budget you would have no trouble getting a lovely house near Skinners/ or close to St Johns. The only downside would be a further commute to the station then say being in the village but I know lots of people who do it. Any Q's feel free to pm me. TW born and raised and now raising our own little family here. X

I am in St John's area. It's great. I can throw (metaphorical) stones into Skinners and TWGGS from my house - great community, walk into town (thus avoiding the horrendous traffic jams), easy to commute from TW or High Brooms station. It's not as 'smart' as the 'Village' but then I find that part of its charm - it's (slightly) less expat London here than there, where I personally feel that it's a bit more 'Guildford' (referring to a post further up) ;0)

My only reservation for you would be that there are no spaces in Y1 or Y2 at St John's at the mo - only know that as have friends renting (and waiting!) for spaces.....the primary school situation here is very very difficult.

Also, just a note of caution with regards to the selectives and to a lesser extent the grammars generally, the scores are rising every year - I have a son who was accepted to a very academic prep on a scholarship (which we actually didn't take up - four children in private is not an option, even on partial scholarship) and I'm not counting ANY chickens with regards to getting him in - it's is ULTRA competitive and scores last year for Skinners were 414 out of 420, Judd 418. This year, you probably need a perfect score.

The Free School will open in September 2013 - I'm on the committee, so it will open, we're just not sure where yet...but probably on Mount Ephraim.

This is in budget and close to the grammars but on v busy road and not in any primary school catchment
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-24241002.html

This is great for TWGGS and was in Bishops Down catchment this year but I don't know what spaces are like at the moment there.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-35415556.html?premiumA=true

This is technically in Southborough, but I have friends living on this road and they have massive gardens (hard to come by in TW unless you have a mega budget); but you would have to drive most places..
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-23987469.html

I grew up near TW and found it conservative with large and small T. When I was younger, you used to have to stand up before performances at the Assembly Halls and sing the national anthem. It is a very pretty town, good shops etc, but it made even me feel edgy and believe you me, I'm not.

I think that if you are used to the whole Surrey/Home Counties thing that it'd be fine, but if you are moving from Hackney or something, double check it is right for you.

Don't mean this badly btw, can really see the upsides of the place.

Hi does anyone know the catchment area for St. John's and is st barnabas better than reviews of the past? We are looking at moving to the area so any insight into these schools would be great!

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2236709/The-Beast-Tunbridge-Wells-Terrified-walker-claims-8ft-tall-creature-demonic-red-eyes-long-arms-roared-historic-towns-woods.html

The Beast of Tunbridge Wells!