The first station was a temporary terminus opened on 20 September 1845 situated north of Wells Tunnel. This closed when the line was extended to the present station, which opened on 25 November 1846. It became a through station in 1851 when the line opened to Robertsbridge, and a year later opened through to Hastings. The
London, Brighton and South Coast Railway's line from Grove Junction to Tunbridge Wells (West) opened in 1867 for goods and 1876 for passengers. Immediately after becoming part of the Southern Railway in 1923, the station was named Tunbridge Wells Central. The single line branch to
Tunbridge Wells West formerly diverged at Grove Junction, to the south of the station and Grove Hill tunnel. The branch closed on 6 July 1985, but the disused Grove Tunnel that carried the single track to West station remains intact. The double line becomes single before passing through the Strawberry Hill tunnel slightly further south, but the down line up to the north end of said tunnel remains in use as a turnback siding for trains terminating at the station. In 1985, in preparation for electrification, the platforms were rebuilt and the tracks were resignalled. Electric trains started running in 1986. The station again became just Tunbridge Wells. Since 1974, the up side of the station only has been Grade II listed. ==Services==