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Kent pubs that closed in the 1990s

05:00, 10 December 2022

updated: 12:19, 10 December 2022

In 1990 there were 111 pubs per 100,000 people in the UK. By 2020 this had dropped to just 58.

Those that closed in the Nineties in Kent have been either demolished or converted for a variety of uses - including residential homes, a McDonald's and a GP surgery.

A Christmas party at The White Swan, Lenham. Picture: Lenham History Society/dover-kent.com
A Christmas party at The White Swan, Lenham. Picture: Lenham History Society/dover-kent.com

Using our archives and the dover-kent.com website, we've compiled a list of some of the Kent boozers we loved - but sadly lost - during that unforgettable decade...

The Fortune of War, Maidstone

Pete and Pat Pearson, pulled their last pints at the "Fortune of War" in Upper Stone Street on New Year's Day 1992. Picture: Kent Messenger / dover-kent.com
Pete and Pat Pearson, pulled their last pints at the "Fortune of War" in Upper Stone Street on New Year's Day 1992. Picture: Kent Messenger / dover-kent.com
The tavern in 1930. Picture: dover-kent.com
The tavern in 1930. Picture: dover-kent.com
The Maidstone site is now residential flats, but some features of the old pub remain
The Maidstone site is now residential flats, but some features of the old pub remain

The much-loved venue served its last pint after 274 years on New Year's Day 1992.

It was pushed to close due to rising rent and lack of custom, but in its prime hosted many bar sport teams and was a classic drinker's pub.

The site has now been turned into residential flats which still have some of the original pub features.

The White Swan, Lenham

Albert and Pat Wickison were the landlords of the White Swan between 1969 and 1991. Picture: Lee Wickison / dover-kent.com
Albert and Pat Wickison were the landlords of the White Swan between 1969 and 1991. Picture: Lee Wickison / dover-kent.com
The White Swan, Platts Heath, Lenham. Picture: Lenham History Society/dover-kent.com
The White Swan, Platts Heath, Lenham. Picture: Lenham History Society/dover-kent.com
The former White Swan is now a private house. Picture: Debbie Birkin/dover-kent.com
The former White Swan is now a private house. Picture: Debbie Birkin/dover-kent.com

The earliest records of The White Swan are in 1861 with a change of ownership.

The pub was run by Albert and Pat Wickinson between 1969 and 1991.

After they left it changed hand a few times, but had lost it charm, and closed in 1999.

Today the pub is a residential home.

The Mounted Rifleman, Luddenham

Licensee John Austin in the cellar of the Mounted Rifleman in Luddenham in 1990. Picture: dover-kent.com
Licensee John Austin in the cellar of the Mounted Rifleman in Luddenham in 1990. Picture: dover-kent.com
The Inn was a quirky unique pub. Picture: Jeremy Lynn /dover-kent.com
The Inn was a quirky unique pub. Picture: Jeremy Lynn /dover-kent.com
The house still has 'The Mounted Rifleman' painted on the front. Picture: John Robertson/dover-kent.com
The house still has 'The Mounted Rifleman' painted on the front. Picture: John Robertson/dover-kent.com

The Mounted Rifleman near Faversham has a vibrant history. Most interestingly, it had no bar.

There was just a cellar below and the landlord, John Austin, would bring up drinks on a tray.

There was huge uproar from locals when the closure of the pub was announced in the early 1990s and the news reached local TV.

The pub had been owned by the same family for well over 100 years.

It was sold as a private house. However, the painted sign on the front of the building has been kept.

The Rorty Crankle, Plaxtol

The Rorty Crankle inn, Plaxtol
The Rorty Crankle inn, Plaxtol
Thr pub is now a private house. Picture: Micheal Mirams
Thr pub is now a private house. Picture: Micheal Mirams

Originally called The New Inn, this pub was badly damaged by a bomb during the Second World War.

After repairs, it started operating under The Rorty Crankle, which means Happy Corner in Gaelic.

The pub closed in 1994 and is now a quirky house.

The Railway Hotel, Dartford

Railway Hotel, Greenhithe, in 1989. Picture: Phyllip Mymott/dover-kent.com
Railway Hotel, Greenhithe, in 1989. Picture: Phyllip Mymott/dover-kent.com
The pub became a Mcdonalds around the turn on the century
The pub became a Mcdonalds around the turn on the century

This pub in Greenhithe, near Dartford, closed in 1998 and became a McDonald's a year or so later.

It was open as early as 1851, and added the word Hotel to it name later on.

The McDonald's that is there now is currently closed, in order to add a drive-thru.

The Ship Inn, Maidstone

The Ship Inn in Maidstone in 1986. Picture: Eric Heartland/dover-kent.com
The Ship Inn in Maidstone in 1986. Picture: Eric Heartland/dover-kent.com
Photo, date unknown, showing a men-only pub outing to Brighton from the Ship Inn in Maidstone. Picture: dover-kent.com
Photo, date unknown, showing a men-only pub outing to Brighton from the Ship Inn in Maidstone. Picture: dover-kent.com
The Golden Boot at the bottom of Gabriels Hill
The Golden Boot at the bottom of Gabriels Hill

This inn started trading in 1538 on Gabriels Hill.

It closed some time in the 1990s and was turned into a café, but is now part of The Golden Boot, a luxury shoe store.

The large building is Grade II-listed.

Hotel St James, Dover

Hotel St James in 1994. Picture: dover-kent.com
Hotel St James in 1994. Picture: dover-kent.com
The site where the pub once stood in Dover is now a doctors surgery
The site where the pub once stood in Dover is now a doctors surgery

The Hotel St James was a guest and public house situated on Harold Street near the Dover coastline.

After suffering a deliberate fire in 1990, the 125-year-old establishment closed.

The historic building was demolished in 1998, and St James surgery was built in its place.

The First and Last, Margate

The First and Last in 1903. Pic: dover-kent.com
The First and Last in 1903. Pic: dover-kent.com
The First and Last, Margate. Now in residential use
The First and Last, Margate. Now in residential use

This establishment ran from 1826 to the late 1990s.

One licensee had a stuffed three-legged lamb which he kept in a glass cabinet on proud display in the brewery.

The building on Vicarage Place has been turned into flats but still boasts the beautiful old inscriptions from its hey-day.

The Startled Saint, West Malling

The Startled Saint in West Mailling, 1980. Picture: dover-kent.com
The Startled Saint in West Mailling, 1980. Picture: dover-kent.com
Guy Gibson (centre) and others of 617 Squadron. Picture: Laura Myden
Guy Gibson (centre) and others of 617 Squadron. Picture: Laura Myden

The Startled Saint was the local pub for the aircrews and ground staff stationed at RAF West Malling both during and after the Second World War.

The pub once served pints to Dambusters leader Guy Gibson.

The last pint was pulled in 1992 after a fairly short 61 years operating.

Plans were put forward in 2019 to demolish it and replace it with residential homes.

The Castle Inn, Faversham

The Castle Inn c.1940. In 1711, it became the first house owned by Shepherd Neame. Picture: dover-kent.com
The Castle Inn c.1940. In 1711, it became the first house owned by Shepherd Neame. Picture: dover-kent.com
The Castle Inn in Faversham in 2009. It is now a residential home
The Castle Inn in Faversham in 2009. It is now a residential home

This quaint inn along West Street, Faversham, was serving beer as early as 1450.

It was the first public house ever owned by Shepherd Neame who took over the site in 1711.

The pub closed in the late 1990s and the Grade II-listed building is now a private house.

The Trumpeter Inn, Ashford

The old Trumpeter in Ashford. Photo by Chris Excell / dover-kent.com
The old Trumpeter in Ashford. Photo by Chris Excell / dover-kent.com
The Trumpeter is now a Domino's pizza takeaway
The Trumpeter is now a Domino's pizza takeaway

The Trumpeter was formerly known as The Wellesley Inn but changed its name sometime in the late 60s to early 70s.

Located on Somerset Road in the centre of the town, the pub closed in the late 1990s.

After remaining abandoned for several years, it was refurbished as a Domino's pizza outlet.

Bouverie Arms, Folkestone

The Bouverie Arms in 1978. Picture: Jan Pedersen/dover-kent.com
The Bouverie Arms in 1978. Picture: Jan Pedersen/dover-kent.com
The building was repurposed as a nursery in 2011 but has since closed
The building was repurposed as a nursery in 2011 but has since closed

This old pub now stands derelict as the Precious Times nursery that once occupied the building in Cheriton Road was permanently closed in 2018.

The free house first opened in 1855 and saw lots of action in its time, including stabbings and thefts.

It sadly closed in 1997.

The Coach House, Canterbury

The Coach House (then named the Coach and Horses) in 1965. Picture: dover-kent.com
The Coach House (then named the Coach and Horses) in 1965. Picture: dover-kent.com
The site is now a part of Fenwicks in the Whitefrairs shopping centre in Canterbury. Picture: Rory Kehoe
The site is now a part of Fenwicks in the Whitefrairs shopping centre in Canterbury. Picture: Rory Kehoe

The first pub on the site (then called The Coach and Horses) was destroyed in the Blitz of 1942, and moved to another area of St Georges Street.

The building went through many deed and name changes in its time, before being changed from a pub to a Stagecoach South East booking office in April 1999.

The site was demolished in 2000 and is now occupied by part of the Whitefriars shopping centre.

The Royal Dragoon, Canterbury

The Royal Dragoon in 1965. Picture: Edward Wilmot/ dover-kent.com
The Royal Dragoon in 1965. Picture: Edward Wilmot/ dover-kent.com
Now the pub is a private house. Picture: dover-kent.com
Now the pub is a private house. Picture: dover-kent.com

This pub was named such to attract military men in the area after the Napoleonic Wars.

It was first opened in 1865 and housed a graveyard in the beer garden.

The headstones were removed sometime ago but the bodies still remain.

The Grade II-listed building is now a private residence, which holds on to its rich history with the name Royal Dragoon House.

The Admiral Beatty, Gravesend

The site after being rebuilt in 1960. Picture: Jason Kemsley / dover-kent.com
The site after being rebuilt in 1960. Picture: Jason Kemsley / dover-kent.com
The site in Gravesend was demolished and turned into houses
The site in Gravesend was demolished and turned into houses

Opening in 1946, this pub was located in Valley Drive, before closing in 1998 and being flattened the following year.

The site is now home to three houses.

New Town Tavern, Dartford

The New Town Tavern in Fulwich Road Dartford. Picture: Philip Dymott / dover-kent.com
The New Town Tavern in Fulwich Road Dartford. Picture: Philip Dymott / dover-kent.com
The pub has since been turned into houses. Picture: Google Street View
The pub has since been turned into houses. Picture: Google Street View

This pub in Fulwich Road opened in 1867 to serve workmen constructing a development in the New Town area of Dartford.

It was part of the Truman's tied estate in its latter days.

The pub closed in 1995 and has since been converted into residential accommodation.

The White Horse, Herne Bay

The White Horse public house, Herne Bay, pictured in July 1978
The White Horse public house, Herne Bay, pictured in July 1978
The White Horse, Herne Bay
The White Horse, Herne Bay
The pub in 2018. Picture: Google
The pub in 2018. Picture: Google

This pub in Avenue Road began serving in 1838 but closed its doors permanently in 1994.

The site looks quite similar today, and appears to have been turned into flats.

The Prince of Wales, Gillingham

The inn opened in 1852. Picture:Tony Smith / dover-kent.com
The inn opened in 1852. Picture:Tony Smith / dover-kent.com
The Prince of Wales has now been converted into flats. Picture: Ben Levick
The Prince of Wales has now been converted into flats. Picture: Ben Levick

The pub opened in Mill Road, Gillingham, originally called Fox Road, in 1852.

It closed sometime in 1999 and was then turned into flats, but has kept many of its original features.

The Piccadilly, Chatham

The Piccadilly at 122 Chatham Hill. Picture: Robert Murrant / dover-kent.com
The Piccadilly at 122 Chatham Hill. Picture: Robert Murrant / dover-kent.com
The Piccadilly public house, Chatham Hill, pictured in 1991
The Piccadilly public house, Chatham Hill, pictured in 1991
The pub sign still remains outside the new flats. Picture: Google Street View
The pub sign still remains outside the new flats. Picture: Google Street View

Previously called the Tam O'Shanter, the pub changed name sometime around the 1970s.

It first opened in 1851.

After it closed its doors in the mid-1990s, the abandoned pub suffered a fire, leading to it being demolished and turned into flats. However the old sign still remains.

The Red Lion, Sandwich

The Red Lion at Stonar, Sandwich. Picture:Dieter Ott / dover-kent.com
The Red Lion at Stonar, Sandwich. Picture:Dieter Ott / dover-kent.com
The site appears to now be a waste disposal centre. Picture: Google Street View
The site appears to now be a waste disposal centre. Picture: Google Street View

The Red Lion, on Salt Pans, Stonar, located along Sandwich Road was a regular for travellers.

It also served the labourers at the Salt Pan Works nearby.

The inn was opened in about 1821 and continued operating until early 1990.

The site where the pub once stood now appears to have been taken over by a waste disposal company.

The Man of Kent, Sheerness

The pub on the Isle of Sheppy in 1953. Picture: Geoff Wheatley / dover-kent.com
The pub on the Isle of Sheppy in 1953. Picture: Geoff Wheatley / dover-kent.com
The inn is now in residential use. Picture: Google Street View
The inn is now in residential use. Picture: Google Street View

This establishment was operating some time before 1881 and had a saloon bar and a public bar, with three separate doors leading to different areas.

It was on 40 Clyde Street, and closed in the mid-1990s.

The pub is now residential flats.

The Chalk Tavern, Sittingbourne

The Chalk Tavern, 1951. Picture: David Whiting / dover-kent.com
The Chalk Tavern, 1951. Picture: David Whiting / dover-kent.com
The Sittingbourne pub is now in residential use, pictured here in 2009
The Sittingbourne pub is now in residential use, pictured here in 2009

Founded in 1899 as a beer house, this pub was owned by Whitbread, and was situated on Basset Road.

It sadly closed in 1998, and is now a private house.

Walmer Castle Tavern, Ramsgate

The Walmer Castle Tavern, pictured in 1990. Picture: Michael Mirams / dover-kent.com
The Walmer Castle Tavern, pictured in 1990. Picture: Michael Mirams / dover-kent.com
The pub is now a home. Picture: Google Street View
The pub is now a home. Picture: Google Street View

This pub at 9 Adelaide Gardens had a children's room and saloon bar alongside the main public house.

It shut down sometime near 1990, and is now a beautiful house.

The Stag's Head, Tonbridge

The Stag's Head in 2013. Picture: Tasha Nicholls / dover-kent.com
The Stag's Head in 2013. Picture: Tasha Nicholls / dover-kent.com
The pub has remained empty for more than 12 years. Picture: Oast House Archive
The pub has remained empty for more than 12 years. Picture: Oast House Archive

The Stag's Head at 9 Stafford Road started serving in 1821, and continued to do so for over 165 years until it closed in the 1990s.

The building remains abandoned and derelict to this day, with cracking paint and boarded-up windows.

The Lord Cornwallis, Royal Tunbridge Wells

The Tunbridge Wells pub pictured in 1981. Picture: Mick White/dover-kent.com
The Tunbridge Wells pub pictured in 1981. Picture: Mick White/dover-kent.com
The site was demolished to make room for a Sainsbury's. The sign can be seen where the building used to stand
The site was demolished to make room for a Sainsbury's. The sign can be seen where the building used to stand

This pub was demolished in the early 1990s to make way for a mini roundabout and a new Sainsbury's.

In its day, it was situated on the end of the Carlton Hotel, opposite the train station.

It opened on Eridge Road in 1937, with the building previously being part of the hotel.

The Chequers Inn, Biddenden

An old postcard, dated 1928. Picture: Mark Jennings/dover-kent.com
An old postcard, dated 1928. Picture: Mark Jennings/dover-kent.com
The pub is now the Golden Kitchen Chinese restaurant. Picture: Google Street View
The pub is now the Golden Kitchen Chinese restaurant. Picture: Google Street View

Traced back to 1855, the original building was demolished and rebuilt in 1892.

It is rumoured that during the demolition a box was found containing the mummified remains of a young infant.

The pub unfortunately closed and is now the Golden Kitchen Chinese restaurant, having previously also housed an estate agents.

The Rising Sun, Whitstable

The Rising Sun in 1988, Whitstable. Picture: Philip Dymott/dover-kent.com
The Rising Sun in 1988, Whitstable. Picture: Philip Dymott/dover-kent.com
The site was demolished and turned into homes. Picture: Google Street View
The site was demolished and turned into homes. Picture: Google Street View

The reason for this pub's closure in 1992 was that it was built on a spring and the footings had washed away.

So, it was knocked down and new houses were built.

It was found in One Harwich Street and first opened in 1863.

The Rock Tavern, Borough Green

The old Rock Tavern, Borough Green. Picture: Michael Norman/dover-kent.com
The old Rock Tavern, Borough Green. Picture: Michael Norman/dover-kent.com
The site on Rock Road now. Picture: Google Street View
The site on Rock Road now. Picture: Google Street View

This building has an interesting history.

When it was being built a large lump of stone was found which was too big to move, so they built the walls around it.

It went through the brick and was visible both inside and outside the pub.

The premises opened between 1861 and 1872. Sadly, in 1993 it was bought by developers and demolished.

It is now residential houses.

The Rose and Crown, Brenchley

The Rose and Crown pictured in 1930. Picture: Shaun Gardener/dover-kent.com
The Rose and Crown pictured in 1930. Picture: Shaun Gardener/dover-kent.com
The hanging sign still remains outside the property
The hanging sign still remains outside the property

The unique design of this pub's hanging sign can still be seen today. However, it is now a private residence.

The Grade II-listed building on Brenchley High Street stopped functioning as a pub in 1999 after 200 years of service.

The Lord Nelson, Dartford

The iLord Nelson became a Balti restaurant after the pub's closure, but it is now residential. Picture: Google Street View
The iLord Nelson became a Balti restaurant after the pub's closure, but it is now residential. Picture: Google Street View

This inn opened in London Road in the 1860s and continued operating until January 1991.

It was first converted into a Balti restaurant called Ghandi's Spice. However it didn't last very long, and in 2002 two terraced houses came in its place.

The Black Bull, Newchurch

The Black Bull pictured in 1983. Picture: Chris Excell/dover-kent.com
The Black Bull pictured in 1983. Picture: Chris Excell/dover-kent.com
The pub is now a private residence. Picture: David Anstiss
The pub is now a private residence. Picture: David Anstiss

The Black Bull had no car park and was located in a tiny village. It closed in 1995.

The pub in Mill Lane was owned by Shepherd Neame at its close, after 173 years operating.

It is believed to have been built from old ships' timbers, and is now a private house.

The Queen's Head, Snodland

The old Queen's Head in Snodland
The old Queen's Head in Snodland
The former Queen's Head is now a care home
The former Queen's Head is now a care home

The Queen's Head opened in 1858 in Snodland high street.

The pub had a large garden with stables in, and it's thought it was originally a coaching inn.

In 1991 the pub closed and was brought by The Mortimer Society.

It is now a care home called Birling House for adults with learning and physical disabilities, housing 29 residents.

The New Castle Inn, Alkham

The Newcastle Inn was built after the 'Castle Inn' was destroyed in a fire. Picture: dover-kent.com
The Newcastle Inn was built after the 'Castle Inn' was destroyed in a fire. Picture: dover-kent.com
The pub is now a private house. Picture: Paul Skelton/dover-kent.com
The pub is now a private house. Picture: Paul Skelton/dover-kent.com

This inn was in the tiny village of Ewell Minnis, just outside Alkham near Dover.

It opened as early as 1913, and served until 1995.

At some point the pub was known as The Castle Inn and it suffered a fire. It moved location down the road, changing name to The Newcastle Inn.

The Victory Inn, Dartford

The pub pictured with bunting for the coronation of Edward VII and his wife Alexandra in 1902. Picture: Micheal Norman/dover-kent.com
The pub pictured with bunting for the coronation of Edward VII and his wife Alexandra in 1902. Picture: Micheal Norman/dover-kent.com
The Victory Inn, pictured in 1985. Picture: Philip Dymott/dover-kent.com
The Victory Inn, pictured in 1985. Picture: Philip Dymott/dover-kent.com
The pub is now a takeaway pizza joint
The pub is now a takeaway pizza joint

It is unclear when this public house opened. However it was operating in at least 1902.

It unfortunately closed in 1998, and is now operating as the Pizza GoGo takeaway.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Bexleyheath

The Duke of Edinburgh, Bexleyheath. Picture: dover-kent.com
The Duke of Edinburgh, Bexleyheath. Picture: dover-kent.com
The site is now home to a Cineworld. Picture: Google Street View
The site is now home to a Cineworld. Picture: Google Street View

The Duke of Edinburgh in Broadway in Bexleyheath opened in 1869, and sadly closed in 1995 after is was purchased by the council and then demolished to make way for a new development.

The site now holds a nine-screen Cineworld cinema.

The Duke's Head, Bromley

The Duke's Head, Bromley. Picture: Brinley Hawkins / dover-kent.com
The Duke's Head, Bromley. Picture: Brinley Hawkins / dover-kent.com
The site is now a Virgin Money store. Picture: Google Street View
The site is now a Virgin Money store. Picture: Google Street View

This free-house was open as early as 1832, and was neighbours of fellow pubs the Forester and The Rose and Crown.

After closing in 1993, the pub was turned into a Northern Rock outlet, and then became a Virgin Money store in 2013, which it remains.

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