DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Sunday, 12 May, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest ????

Kentish Horse

Open 2020+

Cow Lane

Markbeech

01342 850493

http://www.kentishhorsemarkbeech.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/kentish-horse

Kentish Horse 1929

Above photo, circa 1929, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Kentish Horse 1970

Above photo circa 1970.

Kentish Horse 1987

Above photo 1987.

Kentish Horse sign 1993

Above sign, June 1993.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Kentish Horse 2019

Above photo 2019.

Cowden map 1913

Above map 1913, also showing the "Victoria Arms" at Horseshoe Green.

 

From their web site:- http://www.kentishhorsemarkbeech.co.uk

History

Markbeech is situated on the northern edge of the High Weald and is the highest point between the Chart Hills and Ashdown Forest, affording wonderful views over the forest from the pub and garden. East Grinstead is six miles to the west and Edenbridge three miles to the north-west. The surrounding countryside is mainly woodland with agricultural land to the east and west.

There has been a small settlement at Markbeech since at least the Iron Age, defined in the British Isles as the 5th century BC until the Roman conquest in AD43 and until the 5th century AD in non-Romanised parts. There is evidence of a fort dating from this time two miles away at Dry Hill. Iron workings around Markbeech Hill date from Roman times and for many centuries were the most important industry in this part of the Kent and Sussex Weald.

The heart of the village of Markbeech is the crossroads where the Church of the Holy Trinity, the "Kentish Horse" public house and the buildings that were formerly the school are located. The setting of this little group has changed little since they were built in the
mid-19th century, giving much the same feeling of tranquillity, open space and old fashioned charm that would have been familiar to residents 150 years ago.

The immediate population of Markbeech is in the region of 100, which rises to 300 including outlying properties.

The local railway station is Cowden for those visiting us by train. In reality it is situated mid-way between the village of Cowden and Markbeech and is a short 10 minute walk away.

 

Kent Times, 28 June 1862.

Selling beer at unlawful hours.

Town Hall, Petty Sessions, Wednesday. June 25. Before A. Pott. Esq., (in the chair), Major Scoones, and H. T. Moore, Esq.

Christopher Burfoot pleaded guilty to selling beer at unlawful hours.

P. C. Solly stated the circumstances and the defendant was fined 10s. and costs 9s.

 

Sussex Advertiser 24 October 1866.

THE KENTISH HORSE.

The case of "Burfoot v. The Tonbridge Magistrates," came off at the West Kent Quarter Sessions, held at Maidstone, on Thursday, before the Rt. Hon. Gathorne Hardy, M. P. chairman. Mr. Poland, with Mr. Sharp, appeared for the appellant, and Mr. Barrow for the respondents.

This was an appeal against the decision of the magistrates in refusing a license to the "Kentish Horse" public house, at Mark Beech, Cowden. It was alleged on the part of the appellant that the house had been in his family for 200 years. Seven years ago it was turned into a beerhouse, and on 9th Sept. an application was made to the Tonbridge magistrates for a spirit license, which was refused. The growing requirements of the neighbourhood it was said called for the granting of the license; there was now a large number of people employed upon the railway, and the opening of the station would naturally increase the number of residents. The Court refused to grant the license.

 

From the Courier 31 August 1923.

LICENSING.

Mr. F. S. Harries applied on behalf of Mr. William Christopher Walker for the transfer of himself of the Kentish Horse, Mark Beech. The former licensee was his sister, Elizabeth Walker, and Mr. Walker was the sole surviving relative, and had taken out letters of administration of the property, which included the licensed house. Mr. Walker did not propose to live there, but would employ the same manager as his late sister.

The transfer was granted.

 

Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 21 March 1975.

Nothing to prove landlord exists.

Although there is no documentary evidence to prove that he exists, landlord Arthur Hazelhurst is retiring next week.

He and his wife Margaret will be leaving the "Kentish Horse" at Markbeech, near Edenbridge, not because they want to retire but because a cataract is causing Mrs. Hazelhurst's site to deteriorate.

He took the licence of the "Kentish Horse" nearly 6 years ago. "We are very sorry to have to go," said Mr. Hazelhurst. "Our customers are charming people."

"We have bought a new house at Langton Green, so we shall not be too far away."

"There are no records in Somerset House nor anywhere else in the world recording my birth so far as I know," said Mr. Hazelhurst.

He was born on October 25th, 1907 in the the Nilgiri Hills, in Southern India, where his father was working as a civil engineer.

Ship sunk.

"I was brought into the world by, I believe, a Dr Ollenbeck. He kept his own records. My father was traveling the world and we went to New Zealand and South America with him before I was 5 years old.

"My family decided to come home and we arrived here at Christmas 1915. But our possessions including all our records, were on the P & O ship Egypt, which was torpedoed and sank in the Mediterranean.

"My father tried for years and years to get a document recording my birth but without success. He tried to contact the doctor in India again but was never able to trace him.

When he was a few months old Mr. Hazelhurst was baptized in the Church of England church in Wellington, New Zealand, and his parents were presented with a parchment certificate. The only other mention of his entrance into the world was in the family bible.

"Having no birth certificate has sometimes been a bit of a problem, as you can imagine," he said. "But I have been accepted for a retirement pension and shall start receiving it when I leave the "Kentish Horse."

Mr. Hazelhurst spent 40 years of his life as a pilot after joining the Royal Navy Air Service in 1926 and finished his career as chief engineer with the Sperry Gyroscope Company at London Airport.

 

The census of 1911 stated that Elizabeth Burfoot was also being assisted in the trade by her 35 year old niece, Elizabeth Walker.

 

LICENSEE LIST

BURFOOT Christopher 1861-91+ (also farmer age 49 in 1861Census)

BURFOOT Elizabeth Miss (daughter) 1901-11+ (age 59 in 1901Census) Kelly's 1903

WALKER Elizabeth to Aug/1823

WALKER William Christopher (brother) Aug/1923+

HAZELHURST Arthur 1969-75

https://pubwiki.co.uk/KentishHorse.shtml

 

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

CensusCensus

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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