The Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex
High Rocks    Broadwater Forest  Tunbridge Wells  

Books and other documents
PublishedTitle, author and references
1766The History of Tunbridge Wells by Thomas Benge Burr ⇒ p. 47
1797The Tunbridge Wells Guide by J. Sprange ⇒ p. 32
1810Tunbridge Wells and its Neighbourhood by Paul Amsinck and Letitia Byrnep. 19
1830Guide of Tunbridge Wells ⇒ p. 62
1840New Guide for Tunbridge Wells by John Colbran and edited by James Phippen ⇒ p. 146
1883Pelton's Illustrated Guide to Tunbridge Wells by J. Radford Thomson, M.A. ⇒ p. 122
1909English Homes and Villages (Kent & Sussex)
also published as
Tunbridge Wells and its Neighbourhood by Lady Hope ⇒ p. 16

Places in High Rocks
Cape of Good Hope [a.k.a. High Rocks Inn]
Historical records

1670HistoryHigh-rocksBurr's Tunbridge Wells

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.


1768HistoryHigh RocksColbran's Tunbridge Wells

In the winter of 1768, a Mr Pinchbeck purchased the lands around Adam's Well.

The virtues of the water are said to have been "To cure the leprous and the lame," … These, or similar qualities, Mr. Pinchbeck expected to find in the water at Adam's Well, and from a host of cures effected by them, it would appear that his expectations were not disappointed. He built a cottage, a stone bath, with an outside bath for the benefit of the poor, and one for dogs and horses. He declared also that the baths and waters should be free for the use of the public, proposing no profits to himself beyond selling the water in London, and the advantages to be derived from the increased company it would bring to the Wells. How far this speculation answered the proprietor's purpose, or when the use of the water was discontinued, cannot be ascertained, but the well itself still remains in one of the most romantic spots that can be imagined, within a quarter of a mile of the High Rocks.


c 1800South View of the High RocksSouth View of the High Rocks, Tunbridge Wells by James LambertPrivate collection

1809The High RocksThe High Rocks, Tunbridge Wells by Paul Amsinck & engraved by Letitia ByrneLetitia ByrneAmsinck's Tunbridge Wells

16th Nov 1863View from High RocksView from High Rocks, Tunbridge Wells by Rock & Co., LondonHigh RocksPrivate collection

23rd Nov 1863Trout Pond, High RocksTrout Pond, High Rocks, Tunbridge Wells by Rock & Co., LondonPrivate collection

23rd Nov 1863At the High RocksAt the High Rocks, Tunbridge Wells by Rock & Co., LondonPrivate collection

2nd Jun 1864High RocksHigh Rocks, Tunbridge Wells by Rock & Co., LondonPrivate collection

1867Directory entryMaynard George, farmer, RocksRocksPost Office Directory

2nd Apr 1871CensusElijah Dean, M, Head, married, age 62, born Lancashire; occupation: gamekeeper and farmer of 100 acres employing 6 menElijah Dean, gamekeeper and farmerHigh Rocks1871 Census
Frant and Tunbridge Wells, Sussex
Jane Dean, F, Wife, married, age 49, born Petworth, Sussex; occupation: gamekeeper's wifeJane Dean
Sarah A Barnet, F, Stepdaughter, single, age 19, born Frant, Sussex; occupation: gamekeeper's daughterSarah A. Barnet
Sophia Hyland, F, Servant, single, age 20, born Burwash, Sussex; occupation: general domestic servantSophia Hyland
Kate Baker, F, Servant, single, age 13, born Heathfield, Sussex; occupation: general domestic servantKate Baker
Henry Hoadly, M, Servant, widowed, age 58, born Sussex; occupation: farm servantHenry Hoadly
Richard Dadswell, M, Servant, single, age 22, born Mayfield, Sussex; occupation: farm servantRichard Dadswell, gardener

1889The High Rocks HotelThe High Rocks Hotel, Tunbridge Wells by Charles Reynolds & Co.Private collection

c 1890The High RocksThe High Rocks, Tunbridge Wells painted by Alfred F.W. BurtonAlfred Frederick William Burton, artistEnglish Homes and Villages

1896Tea House, High RocksTea House, High Rocks, Tunbridge WellsPrivate collection

1896Bell Rock, High RocksBell Rock, High Rocks, Tunbridge WellsPrivate collection

1896High RocksHigh Rocks, Tunbridge WellsPrivate collection

c 1900High Rocks Hotel and GardenHigh Rocks Hotel and Garden, Tunbridge WellsPrivate collection

1909High Rocks, BroadwaterHigh Rocks, Broadwater, Tunbridge WellsPrivate collection

c 1910High Rocks HotelHigh Rocks Hotel, Tunbridge WellsHigh RocksPrivate collection

1920High Rocks RoadHigh Rocks Road, Tunbridge Wells photographed by Valentine's seriesHigh RocksPrivate collection

1925The High Rocks HotelThe High Rocks Hotel, Tunbridge Wells photographed by Photochrom Co., LtdHigh RocksPrivate collection

4th Dec 1928DeathFrederick BoarerHigh RocksIvy Stead's records

1930The High RocksThe High Rocks, Tunbridge WellsPrivate collection

c 1940The High RocksThe High RocksJim Smith's records

The Weald is at  Database version 14.05 which has ongoing updates to the 395,000 people; 9,000 places; 613 maps; 3,308 pictures, engravings and photographs; and 248 books loaded in the previous version

ODNB  
British Libarary  
High Weald  
Sussex Record Society  
Sussex Archaeological Society  
Kent Archaeological Society  
Mid Kent Marriages  
Ancestry  
Genes Reunited  
International Genealogical Index  
National Archives  

Top
of the
page