The Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Mount Sion      Tunbridge Wells  

Books and other documents
PublishedTitle, author and references
1766The History of Tunbridge Wells by Thomas Benge Burr ⇒ p. 45
1797The History and Topographical Survey of the County of Kent - Volume III by Edward Hastedp. 276
1797The Tunbridge Wells Guide by J. Sprange ⇒ p. 106
1830Guide of Tunbridge Wells ⇒ p. 48
1840New Guide for Tunbridge Wells by John Colbran and edited by James Phippen ⇒ p. 62; p. 84
1883Pelton's Illustrated Guide to Tunbridge Wells by J. Radford Thomson, M.A. ⇒ p. 83

Places in Mount Sion
Brunswick Terrace
Burlington House
Clifton Place
Cumberland Gardens
Cumberland House
Cumberland Terrace
Cumberland Walk
Cumberland Yard
Eden Road
Mount Sion Chapel
Murray Road
North Grove House
Nos 1 to 10
Nos 11 to 20
Nos 21 to 30
Nos 31 to 40
Nos 41 to 50
Nos 51 to 60
Nos 61 to 70
Sussex View
The Vicarage
Historical records

1665 to 1670HistoryMount SionBurr's Tunbridge Wells

In this space the assembly room (called Mount-Ephraim-House) was brought home from Rusthall to Mount Ephraim, on which a bowling green was inclosed, a tavern (now [in 1766] a lodging house but still retains its original name of the castle) was opened and many lodging houses were erected for the use of the company; but the triumph of the hill was short, Mount Sion became a formidable rival, and quickly eclipsed its growing splendor; for when the ball-room, the bowling green, and the lodging houses arose so near the spring, a less convenient distance was generally avoided

Thus in the course of a few years we find Tunbridge forsaken; Southborough and Rusthall raised and ruined; Mount Ephraim drooping; and Mount Sion in the full bloom of prosperity; this last indeed not only rivalled, but despoiled her predecessors, and triumphantly transferred their ornaments to herself; for many houses were brought from Southborough, Rusthall, and Mount Ephraim, to be rebuilt on Mount Sion; and some, whole and entire as they were, were wheeled on sledges to be fixed in this new seat of favour.


1776HistoryMount SionBurr's Tunbridge Wells

The lodging-houses are mostly situated on the hills …. and particularly on Mount Sion, where there are a great many good houses built in regular confusion, and so beautifully intermixed with trees and groves, that they cannot fail of having a most pleasant effect on a stranger. At a little distance, it bears the appearance of a town in the midst of woods, and conveys to the imagination the soothing idea of a rural romantic retirement, while it actually affords all the convenience of a city life.

This hill being open to Waterdown forest on the south, and shielded from the eastern winds by Calverley's-plain, always enjoys a pure wholesome air; and, on account of its being situated at so convenient a distance from the Wells, it generally supplies lodgings for the principal part of the company in season

An excellent bowling-green, the old assembly-room, and a capacious handsome Presbyterian meeting-house (opened 1st August 1720), are all situated upon Mount Sion.


1839Tunbridge WellsTunbridge WellsMount SionColbran's Tunbridge Wells

1840HistoryMount SionColbran's Tunbridge Wells

Mount Sion also, continues its ancient rivalry with Mount Ephraim. There are some lodging-houses here upon a very superior scale. Many of them are modern buildings, and some of the ancient ones have been renovated. The situation is extremely pleasant.


16th Nov 1863Sion Hill, from Frant RoadSion Hill, from Frant Road, Tunbridge Wells by Rock & Co., LondonMount SionPrivate collection

1889The Grove, Mount SionThe Grove, Mount Sion, Tunbridge Wells by Charles Reynolds & Co.Private collection

c 1900Mount ZionMount Zion, Tunbridge Wells painted by Sidney BakerEnglish Homes and Villages

c 1900Mount SionMount Sion, Tunbridge Wells painted by J. Salmon, SevenoaksPrivate collection

1910Mount Sion GroveMount Sion Grove, Tunbridge WellsPrivate collection

1912Mount Sion GroveMount Sion Grove, Tunbridge Wells photographed by E.A. Schwerdtleger & CoPrivate collection

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