Saturday, 7 July 2012

Tonbridge Tea Lounge and Gardens

I recently came across two ads for George Dean's boating business in a 1924 Tonbridge tourist guide.  It seems there was a 'Tea Lounge and Gardens' on River Walk, that not only served refreshments on the banks of the river, but also provided picnic baskets for those customers hiring boats in the town.

We are extremely lucky in Tonbridge to have a river running through the centre of our town.  However, unfortunately there are now very few opportunities to eat and drink along the water, and the river frontage is not used to its best advantage.

Over the years, as the waterside businesses have been lost, they have not been replaced, and Tonbridge is now crying out for cafes along the river. There are many ideal spaces for new cafes to be built or for pop-up cafes to be sited, the kind that place fold-away tables, chairs and umbrellas and serve a decent coffee and snack. This could only enhance the town and bring a sense of well being, and pleasure for residents and visitors alike, to socialise and enjoy the open spaces along the Medway.

I believe it needs serious consideration, and would be interested in readers' thoughts on the idea.



2 comments:

  1. I think a riverside cafe in Tonbridge is a brilliant idea and would be very popular. We are so fortunate in having the sportsground, Castle and Hayesden Country Park all within such easy reach of the town centre. I found the poster very interesting as relatives on my mum's side of the family used to own Doust's boat yard on the River Walk. Best wishes, Wendy.

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  2. Thanks for your comment Wendy - I agree with you that we are so lucky in Tonbridge to have such beautiful and accessible open spaces - if you wish to share any memories or old photographs of Doust's boat yard on Tonbridge Daily please email me on tonbridgedaily@gmail.com

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