In 1892 Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club was founded,[3] but did not at this time have a permanent venue of its own.
[4] In August 1908 it established an open tennis event called the Tunbridge Wells Open Lawn Tennis Tournament,[5][6] The first edition of the men's tournament had a draw of 32 players.
The event resumed after the second world war and was staged until 1981 when it was discontinued as part of the worldwide ILTF Circuit.
Former notable winners of the men's singles event included; George Alan Thomas, Bill Sidwell, Choy Wai-Chuen, Constantin Tănăsescu, Jiro Sato, and Vernon Kirby.
Previous winners of the women's singles tournament included; Agnes Morton, Dorothy Holman, Ermyntrude Harvey, Jadwiga Jędrzejowska, Ruia Morrison, Virginia Wade, and Dianne Evers.