Borough of Tunbridge Wells | |
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Non-metropolitan district | |
Tunbridge Wells shown within Kent |
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Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Constituent country | England |
Region | South East England |
Non-metropolitan county | Kent |
Status | Non-metropolitan district |
Admin HQ | Royal Tunbridge Wells |
Incorporated | 1 April 1974 |
Government | |
• Type | Non-metropolitan district council |
• Body | Tunbridge Wells Borough Council |
• Leadership | Leader & Cabinet (Conservative) |
• MPs | Greg Clark |
Area | |
• Total | 127.9 sq mi (331.3 km2) |
Area rank | 131st (of 326) |
Population (mid-2016 est.) | |
• Total | 117,100 |
• Rank | 195th (of 326) |
• Density | 920/sq mi (350/km2) |
• Ethnicity | 95.1% White 1.4% S.Asian 1.1% Black 1.3% Mixed Race 1.0% Chinese or other |
Time zone | GMT (UTC0) |
• Summer (DST) | BST (UTC+1) |
ONS code | 29UQ (ONS) E07000116 (GSS) |
OS grid reference | TQ5817739112 |
Website | www |
The Borough of Tunbridge Wells is a local government district and borough in Kent, England. It takes its name from its main town, Royal Tunbridge Wells.
The district was formed on 1 April 1974, by the merger of the municipal borough of Royal Tunbridge Wells along with Southborough urban district, Cranbrook Rural District and most of Tonbridge Rural District.
The borough of Tunbridge Wells lies along the south western border of Kent, partly on the northern edge of the Weald, the remainder on the Weald Clay plain in the upper reaches of the rivers Teise and Beult.
The restricted area immediately to the north and west of Tunbridge Wells lies within the Weald. The presence of sandstone outcrops and the chalybeate springs, together with old workings, point to ancient iron manufacturing in the area.
This plain is part of the so-called Garden of England, named for its extensive orchards and former hop farms, sheep and cattle. A string of villages lies across this plain, from Brenchley and Horsmonden to Benenden and Headcorn.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is composed of 48 councillors representing 20 wards across the borough. Eight wards are within Royal Tunbridge Wells itself including Broadwater, Culverden; Pantiles & St Marks; Park; Rusthall; Sherwood & St John's and St. James. The remainder are rural wards covering the other main towns and villages.