The skyway is a cable gondola lift system running in a triangular pattern between three stations, above a small residential area of Tunbridge Wells. St James and St Peters stations are named after the respective churches that lie across the road from each, while Dunorlan station is situated across from the entrance to Dunorlan Park, at the top of Sandrock Road.

The stations and 12 cable pylons are each 60 feet (18.3 metres) tall and are constructed of iron. The cable system is entirely steam powered and involves no electrical components whatsoever, apart from the lights at the stations. Steam provided by the town grid is re-pressurised locally and used to drive a piston system which moves the cable.

The skyway was designed and built by Tunbridge Wells local legend, Alastair Hyacinth and famous structural architect, Oscar Shatwell. Construction was begun in early 1897 and completed in late 1898. It was the first loop cable aerial lift system in the world, predating the earliest European gondolas by at least 25 years. To date it is and has always been, the only such system operating outside of a leisure park in the UK.

The original gondola cars, seating four people, were made of wood, but these have been replaced several times by 4-seat cars made of different materials. The present cars are constructed of light weight aluminium and have been built and painted as exact facsimiles of the original wooden stock.

The Mechanical Skyway is a leisure attraction and serves no practical function other than to deliver diners to The Treehouse restaurant, which adjoins Dunorlan station. The service runs from April through September, closing for the rest of the year due to uncharitable weather.