In 1670, the Duke of York, his duchess, and his two daughters, the princesses Mary and Anne, were at Tunbridge-Wells; and as his royal highness was remarkably pleased with the High-rocks, which he frequently visited, this occasioned the building of a little house there, and from that time it has been fashionable to make entertainments amidst those stupendous ruins of nature; which ever have been, and ever must be reckoned amongst the principal curiosities of the place.

In 1688, Princess Anne of Denmark was at Tunbridge-Wells … This princess several seasons successively honoured the place with her presence, and was a great benefactress to it. She gave the bason to the spring called the "Queen's-well" which is situated on the left hand as you enter the area, and distinguished from the other by its iron bars

In 1698 her royal highness took her son, the young Duke of Glocester with her to the Wells, and was made sensible of the utility of paving the walks by a fall which he got; in his play with other children. … she left money for this purpose … her royal highness returned to the Wells before any progress was made. This neglect very much disgusted the princess, who thereupon instantly quitted the place … but before she went, she took effectual methods to have the pavement carried on with proper diligence.

On the accession of this princess to the throne of Great Britain, the inhabitants of Tunbridge-Wells, … planted the "Queen's-grove" on the common, for a growing monument of gratitude to their royal and generous benefactress.