The Old Race Course

Taken on the track of the old Tunbridge Wells Race Course. Horses can still follow the track on Tunbrige Wells Common - summer only.

The course appears on Bowra's map of 1738 and remained in use until 1851. Race meetings were held for two days each year. The Duchess of Kent and Princess Victoria attended in 1834. In 1845 residents petitioned for the suppression of the races, on the grounds that they were a cause of drunkenness and riotous behaviour. I have also heard a local rumour of a horse being impaled on railings.

If you visit the Common in the evening you will find this behaviour has not altogether stopped with the banning of horse racing.