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Jail Lane
Biggin Hill
01959 572979
https://whatpub.com/old-jail
Above photo circa 1900, taken from
http://www.bigginhill-history.co.uk. |
Above photo circa 1905. |
Above photo, circa 1930. |
Above photo, date unknown. |
Above postcard, circa 1939. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo showing me leaving my home, which was The Old Jail pub,
Biggin Hill, to get married on 2nd August 1969. My father is at my side.
He was the Landlord who took over from Leonard Dupere around 1961 until
around 1970. His name was Cedric (Bill) Motley. He was only known as
Bill. Born 1918 died 2005. The Brewer which owned the pub was Ind Coope.
Apart from the chauffeur, the other figures are staff or neighbours; my
mother is not in this picture.
Victoria Edge. |
Above photo, circa 1976, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo circa 2013. |
Above photo taken from
http://www.bigginhill-history.co.uk. |
Above photo, date unknown. |
 
Above sign left, 1985. With thanks from Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com.
Sign, June 1993, kindly sent by Roger Pester. |
Also known as the "Old Jail Inn," with the American spelling, and
addressed as Cudhum, but I'm sure its correct address is Biggin Hill.
The brewery Fox and Sons at Green Street was closed in 1908 and the pub
here was sold off by auction on the 15th June 1909, and bought by Truman,
Hanbury & Buxton.
The premises was formerly two cottages as can be seen in the top photo by
the two front doors. The name probably originates as prisoner from London
travelling to Maidstone were often houses here over night before their
trials or indeed executions.
This venue was a popular haunt for the fighter pilots from the nearby
aerodrome during WW2. In his book The Blue Arena Bob Spurdle a Kiwi who flew
in the Battle of Britain with 74 Squadron - under the famous 'Sailor Malin'
- writes of discovering the "Old Jail Inn" and becoming something of a
regular. In fact he more or less dedicates an entire chapter to the pub -
and the goings on therein.
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From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, Saturday 25 February 1860. Price 1d.
COOK v. LEWIS.
The plaintiff, a shoe-maker at Brasted, sought to recover from the
defendant, who keeps the “Old Gaol” beer-house, Cudham, £2 10s. 6d., for
goods, &c. It appeared that the plaintiff held a shoe club at the
defendant's house, and as the defendant had had some trouble with a
previous club, he arranged to receive the money from the members and
account for them. In the account were also included some charges for
work done for the defendant's family, and for carriage hire. Defendant denied this liability, and said that he had nothing whatsoever
to do with the club. The court was occupied a considerable time in examining various
documents, and judgement was ultimately given for £1 18s. 6d. |
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South Eastern Gazette, 26 June, 1860.
CUDHAM. Sudden Death.
On Wednesday last. Mrs. Lewis, of the "Old Gaol Inn," in this
parish, suddenly expired. She complained of a violent pain in her
head, just previous to her death, otherwise she was considered in
robust health and strong frame. The coroner did not deem it
necessary to hold an inquest.
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From The Standard (London, England), Thursday, August 11, 1892; pg. 10; Issue 21248.
Preliminary Announcement. - By Order of the Mortgagee.
Fully-Licensed Freehold Inn.
Messrs. Barker, Cathie, and Palmer are instructed to Sell by Auction, at
an early date (to be announced in future advertisements), the Valuable
Freehold Property, known as the "Old Jail Inn" (fully licensed), Cudham,
Kent, together with about eight acres of most productive meadow and
market garden land in One Lot. - Auction Offices, 13, Hart-street,
Bloomsbury, and (pro tem.) 56, Moorgate-street, E.C.
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From the
https://www.newsshopper.co.uk 6th November 2024, By Emily Davison.
The Old Jail pub Biggin Hill up for sale after closure.
A historic pub in Biggin Hill dating back to the 18th century is up
for sale after it was closed earlier last year.
The Old Jail Pub closed in February 2023 and was put up for sale by
Star Pubs - who owned and managed it.
This Grade II listed pub has been part of the Bromley scene for the
last 200 years, made from two Kentish cottages dating back to the 18th
century, according to CAMRA.
Despite its name, the pub is not believed to have actually been used
as a jail and was believed to have been a stop off point for prisoners
being transported to London.
The pub has been a popular drinking spot for locals with one reviewer
- Phil Tuffers - writing on Google: “The Old jail in Biggin Hill is a
genuinely old English pub with excellent food and a good selection of
drinks.”
Fleurents told the News Shopper that the pub is set to go on the
market later this week and any prospective buyers are urged to contact
them for further information.
In a statement, Star Pubs said that the pub offers “great potential”
for owners to “breathe new life” into this pub for the Bromley
community.
A spokesperson for Star Pubs said: “We regularly review our estate to
ensure we have the right pubs in the right locations. We have identified
The Old Jail as a pub which does not fit within our leased and tenanted
business model and have therefore taken the decision to sell.
“The pub offers great potential to the right owner who can invest
into the property and breathe new life into it for the benefit of the
whole community. If anyone is interested in buying the pub please
contact our retained agent, Simon Bland at Fleurets."
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From the
https://www.newsshopper.co.uk By Emily Davison, 28th November 2024.
The Old Jail pub Biggin Hill hits the market for £495k.
A historic pub in Biggin Hill has hit the market for six figures with
“unique” opportunities for prospect buyers.
The Old Jail Pub on the outskirts of Bromley, currently owned and
managed by Star Pubs, has been put up for sale following its closure in
February 2023 when the company made the decision to sell it.
Appointed estate agents Fleurets announced this week that the pub has
officially hit the freehold market with a guide price of £495,000 along
with VAT.
In a statement, Star Pubs said that the pub offers “great potential” for
owners to “breathe new life” into this pub for the Bromley community.
This Grade II listed building dating back 200 years is set within seven
acres of land in Biggin Hill.
The pub’s name is believed to be associated with its former use as an
overnight stop for prisoners being transported between London and
Maidstone Prison.
In a statement, Fleurets advised would-be buyers that the pub will need
“complete refurbishment” and that the building offers “fantastic
potential”, including the possible change of use to the building from
its current use as a pub.
Simon Bland, Senior Associate at Fleurets, commented: “Unsurprisingly,
we have already received a terrific response, clearly indicating that,
even in these challenging times, at the right price buyers are still
keen for opportunities to do something completely unique.
“It will be fascinating to see how the next chapter in the Old Jail’s
story unfolds.” |
LICENSEE LIST
PRINCE Edmund 1851+ (labourer age 24 in 1851 )
LEWIS William 1855-61+ (also farmer age 55 in 1861)
LEWIS Thomas 1881-82+ (age 44 in 1881)
COWLARD Richard 1891-1913+ (also baker age 63 in 1901)
DUPREE Leon 1936+
DUPERE Leonard Alfred 1961
MOTLEY Cedric "Bill" 1961-70+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/OldJailInn.shtml
Census
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
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