The Georgian era was ruled by George I, George II, George III and George IV, covering the years from 1714 to 1830.

Georgian Soldiers

Tonbridge changed much during the time of the Georgians. It grew in importance, improved its appearance and also attracted many more people to live in the area. During this time, roads were paved and bridges were repaired and as a result people started to use wheeled transport (horse-drawn carriages) more rather than horseback.

Stagecoaches

Stagecoaches were used to travel from one place to another, but were infrequent, slow, uncomfortable and expensive. They were the favourite prey of highwaymen and in bad weather passengers were always having to get out and push. A stagecoach took to 8 hours to travel the 50 miles from London to Tunbridge Wells.

Tonbridge was a main stop for stagecoaches travelling from London to Gravesend and to Hastings and Rye. It was also used as a staging post for the mail coaches, where horses could be changed and passengers provided with food.

1750's - Tonbridge became a stop for stage coaches carrying passengers to and from London to the coast and Gravesend.

Tonbridge Castle

Tonbridge Castle as it looked in 1735.

The river Medway can be seen in the foreground (front) of the picture. One of the corner towers can be seen on the right. This tower was known as the Water Tower.

John Hooker bought the Castle in 1739

1790 - John Hookers son, Thomas, inherited the castle. He used some of the stones to build a small mansion on the east side of the Gatehouse.

River transport and trade

In 1740 an Act of Parliament was passed to make the River Medway navigable to Tonbridge by the Medway Navigation Company. This enabled Tonbridge to become an important trading centre. As a result Tonbridge grew more rapidly than any other town in west Kent.

Timber, fruit, gunpowder and hops were sent down the river to Maidstone and on to London and in return coal, lime, chalk and stone were transported to Tonbridge.

Stone from the castle was sold by Thomas Hooker to build bridges and locks. Hooker opened up a path to the river so that stones could be taken directly on to boats (the path can be seen between the South curtain wall and the motte).

Tonbridge town

The centre of the town was where Castle Street meets the High Street at the north end of the town. It was marked by the Market Cross.

This area was where market was held and also the site of public punishments. The stocks and whipping post were here.

An example of what Stocks looked like	An example of a Whipping post

The River

A place to empty refuse

From the Market Cross (near Nat West bank) to the Great Bridge a steep and deep channel ran down past the shops and the Chequers. The channel was not a pleasant sight nor was the smell as it was full of butchers' refuse, dung, market rubbish and filth.

A place to drink and wash clothes

A slope ran into the river beside the bridge. At the foot of the slope was a platform of stone and timber for people to dip for water and do their washing. Carts were driven into the water here to allow the cattle to drink.

Houses

Bricks replaced timber as the main building material because barges brought lime and chalk cheaply to Tonbridge. Wooden houses, shops and inns were either replaced with brick houses or or had a 'brick skin' put over them. The Rose and Crown was one such Tudor building which was given a brick frontage.

The Rose and Crown, a Tudor building, has a Georgian front	Ferox Hall also has a Georgian front

18th century weather boarded and tiled houses

In 1747 the church porch was used as the fire station.

1775 - Bridge replaced by new elegant one.

1775 - Tonbridge Poor House built

1784 - Tonbridge became a staging post for the Royal Mail Coach.

1798 - Market Hall built

1836 - Gas lighting arrived in the town.

People

Wealthy people wore wigs made from other peoples hair. They shaved their own heads to avoid catching headlice.

Population

The population towards the end of the Georgian period was about two thousand.

Other national notable events

1721 - Sir Robert Walpole becomes the first British Prime Minister

1780s - Industrial revolution begins

1805 - Lord Nelson defeats Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar.

1828 - Robert Peel set up the Metropolitan Police force