Some 50 years before the game of contract bridge was invented the Tunbridge Wells and Counties Club was founded in order to provide a meeting place for the business men of the town.

Initially, in 1872, the club was housed in the Great Hall opposite the central station but early in the new century it was decided to build their own clubhouse on the present site, which was opened in 1909. Only the finest materials were used in the construction, which is why 100 years later it is still in very good condition and Grade II listed. Today it is hard to visualise a hedged front garden, but if you look closely you can see the rings embedded in the front wall to which members' horses could be tethered! It was exclusively a "gentlemans" club and the first lady did not cross the threshold until after the second world war and that was by the back door!!

Since becoming solely a bridge club the only changes have been to interior usage. The room, which previously housed two full sized billiard tables, now contains 16 bridge tables, whilst the former library/reading room and two upstairs committee rooms each have 8 tables. The Club is fully licensed and dispenses drinks to members in the bar lounge. Whilst the Chalybeate river still trickles through the cellars, the Club has decided not to offer the spa waters for sale as we are not convinced of their healing qualities!

On the first of May 2004 there was a merger between Tunbridge Wells & Counties, West Kent and Wellington Bridge Clubs to create the Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club.

July 2004