The Pantiles, the old commercial center of Tunbridge Wells, is a 17th century pedestrian-only shopping street (what the Brits call a 'precinct') that could be the ancestor of a modern American strip mall. Nearly two city blocks long, one side has a row of colonnaded shops, with four and five story buildings above.

The discovery of the chalybeate spring in 1606 — and the resulting visits to take the waters — soon prompted the construction of simple wooden shelters around the spring. By 1638, there was a "Walk," with two rows of trees, where visitors could buy goods from local tradesmen. In time, real shops grew up near the "dipping house." The precinct was named the "Pantiles" when its walkways were paved with baked terracotta "pantiles" in 1700. According to the oft-told story, Princess (later Queen) Anne donated one hundred pounds to pay for the tiles after her son fell while playing on the muddy ground in 1698. Alas, Anne returned in 1699 and was annoyed to find that no improvements had been made. She never returned to Tunbridge Wells and never saw the Walks paved with pantiles the following year. A century later, the clay pantiles were replaced with paving stones and the name was changed to the "Parade," but the original name was brought back late in 19th century.

In 1804, a Bath House was built at the top end of the Pantiles so that well-heeled visitors to Tunbridge Wells could soak in the mineral-rich waters. The facade of the Bath House still survives, with the original chalybeate spring accessible outside.

The Pantiles has remained an active shopping precinct for nearly four hundred years. Visitors today find boutiques, restaurants, and antique shops, along with a kitchen supply shop, a camera shop, and a pharmacy. During the summer there are open air music concerts in the Pantiles and a five-day Georgian Festival — Scandals at the Spa — that celebrates the centuries old heritage of this unique attraction in Royal Tunbridge Wells.