DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Bexley, August, 2024.

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 14 August, 2024.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1662

King's Head

Open 2020+

65 High Street

Bexley

01322 553137

Kings-Head-High-Street-Bexley.html

https://whatpub.com/kings-head

King's Head painting 1870

Above painting, circa 1870, from the Bexley Archives.

King's Head pre 1894

Above photo, pre 1894. I'm not convinced this is the correct building.

King's Head

Above photo, date unknown.

King's Head

Above postcard, date unknown.

King's Head

Above photo, date unknown.

King's Head 1909

Above photo, showing the National Steam Omnibus outside the pub, circa 1909. The sign reads "Good Stabling & Garage. Accommodation for Cyclists. Open to Bona Fide Travellers. Proprietor S Petty."

 

From Barclay, Perkin's Anchor Magazine. Volume XXVI, No.8, August 1946. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

THE RIGHT MAN IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

King's Head 1946

Subtitle reads: "Mr Winston Churchill photographed outside the "King's Head Inn," Bexley, during the Bexley Bye-Election campaign." (July 1946).

At the bye-election, Labour (Ashley Bramall) retained Bexley but with a significantly reduced majority. In the 1950 General Election, Ashley Bramall lost his seat to his friend, the Conservative candidate, Edward Heath, who held Bexley (later Old Bexley & Sidcup) for the next 51 years.

Above photo 1950

Above photo 1950.

King's Head 1954

Above photo, circa 1954, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

King's Head business card 1955

Above card, circa 1955, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

King's Head 1955

Above postcard, circa 1955, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

King's Head 1973

Above photo 1973, from Steve Thoroughgood.

King's Head

Above photo, date unknown, from the Bexley Archives.

King's Head drawing 1980

Above drawing circa 1980.

King's Head 2006

Above photo 2006 by Dave Patten Creative Commons Licence.

King's Head 2011

Above photo 2011.

King's Head 2015

Above photo, 2015.

King's Head sign 1955

Above sign 1955.

King's Arms matchbox

Above matchbox, circa 1980s, kindly sent by Debi Birkin.

King's Head match box

Above matchbox, date unknown, kindly sent by Debi Birkin.

 

The building is said to be 14th century and has been definitely traced back to as early as 1662 from a Hearth Tax Return. Part of the building is still the original although additions have been added.

In 1814 there was a meeting held in the building to discuss the enclosure of Bexley Heath.

I am assuming that this was a tied "Fleet Brewery" pub in 1865 when the brewery was put up for auction, however, there is another "King's Head" addressed at 5 Market Place.

 

LICENSEE LIST

SMITH Joseph 1832+ Pigot's Directory 1832-34

SMITH John 1861+ (age 48 in 1861Census)

SCEVITY William 1871+ (age 50 in 1871Census)

JONES John 1903+ Kelly's 1903

PETTY E 1909+

PETTY E E & F S 1955+

???? Bill & Margaret 1980s?

 

Pigot's Directory 1832-34From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

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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