The Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Calverley Parade    Mount Pleasant  Tunbridge Wells  
Now replaced by Tunbridge Wells Town Hall


Books and other documents
PublishedTitle, author and references
1840New Guide for Tunbridge Wells by John Colbran and edited by James Phippen ⇒ p. 53

Historical records

1829HistoryCalverley ParadeColbran's Tunbridge Wells

[Starting in 1829] the most important alterations were commenced that the Wells had yet seen. These were made on the Calverley Estate which is the property of John Ward, Esq. of Holwood, in the County of Kent. This gentleman having purchased the Calverley and other considerable property adjoining it, … determined upon erecting a number of edifices suitable to the reception of genteel families; and simultaneously with the larger buildings, a number of shops, &c. in their immediate neighbourhood, so that the residents upon this estate might enjoy the same advantages as those who lived nearer the Springs. In the autumn of 1828, this extensive undertaking was commenced from the designs of Decimus Burton, Esq. the eminent Architect of Spring Garden, London; the Messrs. Bramah, of Pimlico, having taken the ground necessary for the purpose, on a building lease. As these buildings progressed, it was evident that a new town was springing up - villas, a terrace, a parade, rows of shops, &c. soon began to develope themselves, and advanced steadily to completion.

Calverley Park comprises 26 acres, adjoining to and overlooking 20 acres of meadow and pleasure grounds in front of the Hotel, and contains twenty-four villas, chiefly of the Italian and Grecian style of architecture. The elegant appearance of these buildings attracts attention and excites admiration; and the views from the Park are at once extensive, diversified, and beautiful; equal, if not superior, to any at the Wells.

At the north west side of the park, is Calverley Promenade, built in the form of a crescent. This row of buildings (seventeen in number) was originally intended for shops, but within the last two years several of them have been converted into dwelling-houses. At one end of the promenade there are Shampooing and Vapour Baths; in the centre, a Library, Reading Room, &c., opposite to which is a Fountain, and beyond that a temporary Orchestra has been erected, where, in the season, a band is stationed to amuse the company. Immediately adjacent to the promenade is the Calverley Hotel, which has been recently finished; the accommodations here are of the first-rate description, and the situation in which it is placed, commanding as it does an uninterrupted view over delightful scenery, renders it one of the most charming spots in the country.

On the opposite side of the road from the Hotel is Calverley Terrace, consisting of four double Villas with pleasure grounds in front and gardens behind, communicating with the stables, coach-houses, &c. Calverley Parade, immediately adjoining, is a range of twelve houses (which were the first built) on a similar scale to those of the terrace, but smaller; and at the back of these are the Calverley Mews, which afford extensive accommodation for horses and carriages, independent of those which are attached to the houses on the terrace and parade. A short distance from the latter, is an excellent Commercial and Family Hotel, called the Camden; next to which is a Market House, one of the most elegant buildings in Tunbridge Wells. … On a line with this is Calverley Place consisting of twelve houses and shops


1831Church and Calverley ParadeChurch and Calverley Parade, Tunbridge Wells by J.J. DoddCalverley ParadeSketches of Tunbridge Wells

1839Tunbridge WellsTunbridge WellsCalverley ParadeColbran's Tunbridge Wells

3rd Apr 1881CensusWilliam H. Coates, M, Head, married, age 36, born Morpeth, Northumberland; occupation: general practitioner M.R.C.S.William H. Coates, general practitioner M.R.C.S.10 Calverley Parade1881 Census
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Ellen Coates, F, Wife, married, age 40, born St Keverne, CornwallEllen Coates [Lovey]
William Lovey, M, Father in law, widowed, age 83, born Pons North, Cornwall, handicap: blind; occupation: retired woollen managerWilliam Lovey
Elizabeth A. Baker, F, Servant, single, age 35, born Canterbury, Kent; occupation: servantElizabeth A. Baker
Emma Vircoe, F, Servant, single, age 27, born St Dennis, Cornwall; occupation ServantEmma Vircoe

3rd Apr 1881CensusElizabeth Brett, F, Head, widowed, age 45, born St Margarets, LeicesterElizabeth Brett9 Calverley Parade1881 Census
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Jane Longden, F, Servant, single, age 26, born Golden Green, Kent; occupation: servantJane Longden
Eliza A. Piper, F, Servant, single, age 20, born Burwash, Sussex; occupation ServantEliza A. Piper

3rd Apr 1881CensusEmily Wilkinson, F, Head, single, age 46, born London; occupation AnnuitantEmily Wilkinson8 Calverley Parade1881 Census
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Mary Stutley, F, Servant, single, age 38, born St Ippelgate, Hertford; occupation: servantMary Stutley
Martha Andrews, F, Servant, single, age 35, born Salisbury, Wiltshire; occupation: housemaidMartha Andrews

3rd Apr 1881CensusMary Anna Tugwell, F, Head, single, age 75, born Bradford, Wiltshire; occupation AnnuitantMary Anna Tugwell7 Calverley Parade1881 Census
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Mary A. Mitchell, F, Servant, single, age 28, born Cowfold, Sussex; occupation: servantMary A. Mitchell
Annie Bellingham, F, Servant, single, age 48, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: servantAnn Bellingham

3rd Apr 1881CensusWilliam W. Ashby, M, Head, married, age 45, born Wadhurst, Sussex; occupation: appraiserWilliam Wildboar Ashby, appraiser6 Calverley Parade1881 Census
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Susannah Ashby, F, Wife, married, age 49, born Tonbridge, KentSusannah Ashby [Shorter]
Lily S. Ashby, F, Daughter, age 13, born Tunb Wells, Kent; occupation: scholarLily S. Ashby
Rose Ashby, F, Daughter, age 12, born Tunb Wells, Kent; occupation: scholarRose Ashby
Frank W. Ashby, M, Son, age 11, born Tunb Wells, Kent; occupation: scholarFrank W. Ashby
Florence A. Ashby, F, Daughter, age 9, born Tunb Wells, Kent; occupation: scholarFlorence A. Ashby
Eliza H. Shorter, F, Sister in law, single, age 31, born Tonbridge, Kent; occupation: lady's maidEliza H. Shorter
Elizabeth Harding, F, Servant, single, age 21, born London; occupation: servantElizabeth Harding

3rd Apr 1881CensusWilliam H. Wright, M, Head, married, age 70, born Whitechapel, Middlesex, handicap: blind; occupation Retired Vinegar MakerWilliam H. Wright5 Calverley Parade1881 Census
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Martha Wright, F, Wife, married, age 73, born Aldersgate, MiddlesexMartha Wright
Ann Ellis, F, Servant, single, age 33, born Stanstead, Hertford; occupation: servantAnn Ellis
Mary A. Cannon, F, Servant, single, age 29, born Limehse, Middlesex; occupation: servantMary A. Cannon

3rd Apr 1881CensusEmily S. Jopling, F, Head, widowed, age 54, born Camberwell, Surrey; occupation: private income from propertyEmily S. Jopling, private income from property3 Calverley Parade1881 Census
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Violet F. Jopling, F, Daughter, single, age 27, born (British Subject), ItalyViolet F. Jopling
Margaret H. Jopling, F, Daughter, single, age 20, born (British Subject), ItalyMargaret H. Jopling
James E. Jopling, M, Son, age 18, born (British Subject), Italy; occupation: scholarJames E. Jopling
Elizabeth Paige, F, Servant, single, age 28, born Brighton, Sussex; occupation: servantElizabeth Paige

3rd Apr 1881CensusMary Walker, F, Head, widowed, age 57, born Leeds, York; occupation Private income from dividendsMary Walker2 Calverley Parade1881 Census
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Mary Jane Morris, F, Servant, widowed, age 53, born Hampshire; occupation: housekeeperMary Jane Morris
Ellen Mortimer, F, Servant, single, age 25, born Ipswich, Suffolk; occupation: general servantEllen Mortimer

1925Calverley Parade and Opera HouseCalverley Parade and Opera House, Tunbridge WellsCalverley ParadePrivate collection

1928Mount Pleasant RoadMount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells photographed by H. Camburn, Tunbridge WellsCalverley ParadePrivate collection

1933War Memorial and Opera HouseWar Memorial and Opera House, Tunbridge WellsCalverley ParadePrivate collection

1933Calverley Parade and War MemorialCalverley Parade and War Memorial, Tunbridge Wells photographed by Valentine's seriesCalverley ParadePrivate collection

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