Tonbridge Daily Snippet

The south end of Tonbridge High Street, now sometimes known as the lower High Street (from the Big Bridge to The Angel/Station area) was originally known as 'the Road to Rye.

Later it was known as 'a continuation of the High Street'. The original High Street being the stretch from Big Bridge north to Tonbridge Shool area.

At some point 'a continuation of the High Street' became 'Bridge Street'

In 1872 this lower stretch officially took the name of High Street, and was joined in title to the original High Street proper, so that it became The High Street in length that we know today.

Sounds complicated but it does make sense.

Original High Street, view north from Barclay Bank area, showing Town Hall

Shared by Tonbridge Historical Society Pictorial Collection No. 14B.105

Original High Street, view north from Barclay Bank area, showing Town Hall

High Street, view north, c1894, showing the Bull Hotel on right now Peacocks

Shared by Tonbridge Historical Society Pictorial Collection No. 14A.110

High Street, view north, c1894, showing the Bull Hotel on right now Peacocks