Kentish Express Ashford & District
Is debate all over bar the shouting?
The bid to be crowned Kent’s oldest pub has many challengers. All corners of the county have historic inns which can lay claim to the title, but the debate over who makes the strongest case is never likely to reach a conclusion to satisfy all.
A quick search on Google will bring up Ye Olde Yew Tree Inn, in Westbere near Canterbury… but is it truly Kent’s oldest pub?
The Yew Tree dates back to 1348 and is said to be haunted by two ghosts.
The heavily-beamed Grade II-listed property has certainly welcomed its fair share of interesting characters over the years.
Both Queen Anne and the Archbishop of Canterbury are reputed to have stayed there, perhaps warming themselves in front of its large inglenook fireplace and enjoying the stunning views across Westbere lakes.
Infamous 18th century highwayman Dick Turpin is said to have hidden inside to evade capture from the law.
And during the 17th century English Civil War the building, believed to have been a ‘hall house’, was used to treat wounded soldiers.
But is it actually the longest-running drinking establishment in Kent?
Almost certainly not. According to a Westbere village history pamphlet, the building was in fact a grocery shop in the early part of the 19th century.
It was not until about 1830 that it became known as the Palm Tree – ‘palm’ being an old Kentish dialect word for yew.
The building now known as the Coopers Arms in St Margaret’s Street, Rochester, was built during the reign of Richard I (1189-1199), according to the pub’s website.
Monks from nearby St Andrews priory – renowned for brewing ales and wine – are said to be its first recorded inhabitants.
It became an inn in 1543, and has continued to serve beers ever since.
Legend has it that the pub is haunted by a member of the Brethren of Coopers who was walled up and left to die.
He is said to appear once a year in November.
The Chequers Inn in Doddington is a listed 14th century coaching inn.
Another pub said to boast a ghost, the tavern is reported to be haunted by a Cavalier from the English Civil War.
Now owned by Shepherd Neame, in recent years it has doubled as the village post office every Tuesday lunchtime.
Another Chequers Inn – this one in Lamberhurst – has been a pub since 1414, but dates back to 1137 when it was a manor house.
Meanwhile, Ye Olde Crown Inn in Edenbridge is said to have been serving wayfarers and visitors since the reign of Edward III (1327-1377).
The pub is unmissable because of it’s unique Kentish bridging sign which spans the high street.
The Red Lion in Canterbury Road, Wingham, dates back to the 13th century.
It may have formed part of the Canonical College set up in 1286 by Archbishop Peckham.
But it was more likely the ‘market house’ as a weekly market was licensed by Henry III in 1252.
A few years ago Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood joined a campaign to save the pub but now it is sadly shut.
Last orders have also been called at the Crispin in and Crispianus in Strood, which was established in the 1200s and was still operating this century.
But the iconic pub, said to be a favourite of Charles Dickens, was devastated by fire in 2011.
Going back even further, the Annunciation in Dover was reported to have served ale in the 1100s.
It was reported to have been connected by a tunnel to a nearby monastery. The ancient pub – which later became The Salutation – survived right up until 1983.
But perhaps set to eclipse them all is The Little Gem in Aylesford – as work is underway to reopen the pub, which was built in 1106.
The tiny building was once believed to be home to the smallest tavern in the county.
It was closed in 2010 and earmarked for residential development.
But thanks to the Saving the Little Gem campaign, it was bought at auction and the owner made sure it got permission from the council to be turned back into a pub.
Last year it was bought again by Goachers Ales, an independent brewery based in Tovil, near Maidstone.