KING'S HEAD Pub of Hollingbourne

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 25 June, 2025.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1727+

King's Head

Latest 1975

(Name to)

Upper Street

Hollingbourne

Above photo, 1904, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. The young lady standing outside the pub in the distance is Miss Laura (Lavinia?) Couchman, daughter of the licensee, Henry Couchman.

Above photo, date unknown, with permission from Eric Hartland, showing part of the "King's Head" on the left of the photo.

Above photo, date unknown, with permission from Eric Hartland.

Above postcard, circa 1935, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, circa 1935, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. It's doubtful whether this wonderful period feature survived the devastating fire which gutted the building in October 2022.

Above postcard, circa 1950, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. Showing the pub soon after being re-signed in Fremlin's livery, after their 1949 acquisition of George Beer & Rigden's Faversham brewery.

Above postcard, circa 1954, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. With the pub sporting a newly-hung pictorial inn sign.

Above photo, circa 1959. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. From a guide to Kent pubs, the caption reads "...An attractive 15th century inn, right on the Pilgrims' Way, at the foot of the North Downs. In the rear of the inn is the place where pilgrims were allowed a night's sleep. The inn used to be called the Pilgrims' Rest and it has a most attractive interior, including an inglenook fireplace, which has been modernised and produces a fierce blaze which warms the whole bar. The decorations, including horse brasses and trappings, are all in keeping with an inn of this character..." Telephone: Hollingbourne 210.

The pub was built in the twelfth century and was originally a farmhouse with several acres of land. It was rebuilt in the fourteenth century on the old foundations, possibly due to earthquake damage in the thirteenth century. It was originally named "Ye Olde Pilgrim's Rest'e" but when George the second became king it became the "Kings Head."

Monks used to occupy the building and brewed their own cider.

In 1975 the then owner changed the name back to the "Pilgrim's Rest," as it stands on the Pilgrim's Way.

It is said to have a ghost dating from the nineteenth century and the current owners, Mr. and Mrs. K. Lee have often felt a presence there.

Kentish Gazette 16 February 1782.

To be Sold by Auction, At the "King's Head," near Hollingbourne Church, in the County of Kent.

On Wednesday, the 27th Day of this instant February, Between the Hours of Twelve and Four in the Afternoon, (unless disposed of in the mean Time by Private Contract.)

All that compact and valuable Leasehold Messuage or Tenement, and Malthouse, and all Conveniences thereto, agreeably situated near the Church of Hollingbourne, aforesaid, now in the Occupation of Mrs. Elizabeth Stonehouse; together with the Garden, Stable, and every other convenient Building thereto belonging.

All the Buildings are built with Bricks and Tiles, low taxed, and in excellent good Repair, and may be entered on immediately, or further Particulars enquire of Mr. Henley, Attorney at Law, Maidstone.

Kentish Chronicles, 20 November, 1795.

On the 2nd instant, died Mr. Thomas Clifford, of the "King's Head," Hollingbourne; on the 4th died his daughter; and on the 9th died Mrs. Clifford, his wife; their deaths are generally lamented by their numerous friends and acquaintance.

South Eastern Gazette 14 April 1840.

LOST.

On Hollingbourne Hill, on Saturday, April 11th,
A Gold Watch, with chain, key and seal. Whoever will bring the same to Mr. William Sage, "King's Head," Hollingbourne, shall be handsomely rewarded for their trouble.

Kentish Gazette 31 January 1843.

MARRIAGE.

Jan 16th., at Maidstone, Mr. William Sage, of the "King's Head," Hollingbourne, to Mrs. Morphew, second daughter of Mr. James Rayner, of Otham.

LICENSEE LIST

CLIFFORD Thomas to 2/Nov/1795 dec'd

SAGE William 1840-58+ (also farmer age 65 in 1851)