The name pantiles originally referred to a form of tile used in paving and (more often) roofing. Today the name is most often used to refer to an area in the town of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England which formerly used such tiling.

The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells

Formerly known as The Walks and the (Royal) Parade.

Pantiles are defined by dictionaries as roofing tiles, S-shaped in section. It seems that the use of pantiles for paving in Tunbridge Wells is unusual if not unique.

Background to the name 'Pantiles'

• In 1700 the Upper Walks were paved with pantiles.
• On the 1738 map the area appears pretty much in its present form.
• 1793 the pantiles were removed and substituted with stone flagging – the region was then called The Parade.
• 1887 the old name was revived.

Most of the Pantiles is listed: mostly built early to mid 19th century. No.7 is c.1660; 39-41 was formerly the Gloster Tavern; The Corn Exchange and Royal Victoria Hotel are both early 19th century.

The Pantiles, Engraving - collection: Ian Myers
courtesy: http://uk.geocities.com/rtwhistory