ONE BELL INN Pub of Crayford

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Crayford, September, 2024.

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 25 September, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1861-

One Bell Inn

Open 2020+

170 Old Dover Road / Crayford Hill 1861

Crayford

01322 315444

https://whatpub.com/one-bell

Above photo, circa 1910. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, 1962.

Above photo, 1964.

Above photo 2006 by Dave Patten Creative Commons Licence.

Above photo 2007, by Steve Thoroughgood.

Above photo 2007, by Steve Thoroughgood.

Above photo 2014.

Above photo, 2024.

Built in 1710, this was a tied "Fleet Brewery" pub in 1865 when the brewery was put up for auction.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer. Saturday 07 October 1876.

The landlady of the "One Bell Inn," Crayford, has been found dead in bed after going to bed intoxicated. The medical evidence, however, went to show that laudanum had been the cause of death, and the inquest was adjourned for further inquiry.

From the https://www.bexleytimes.co.uk 30 September 2009.

Footie star buys pub.

PREMIERSHIP and England footballer Jimmy Bullard scored when he bought a pub with his father. The Hull City player will leave the day-to-day running of the One Bell Pub, Old Road, Crayford to his father, Jimmy Bullard senior.

The Hull City player will leave the day-to-day running of the One Bell Pub, Old Road, Crayford to his father, Jimmy Bullard senior.

They struck the deal to buy the freehold for an undisclosed sum after the star's father was given the boot from the Bexley council-owned West Lodge Sports and Social Club after 20 years.

The 30-year-old, who began his football career at Dartford FC, then Gravesend and Northfleet FC (now Ebbsfleet Utd) says he is delighted with the new buy.

Speaking as he prepares to return from a nine-month injury, the modest star said: "It's mainly my dad's project. I'm just helping him out a bit really.

"He has always been involved with the community and it was a real shame when the council took the club away from him after about 20 years.

"We talked and he was keen to run a pub so when this came up we snapped it up. I'm helping out with the design a bit. My dad's really old fashioned, God knows what it would look like if I left it all to him so we are working together as much as we can.

"I have managed to get some memorabilia and signed shirts which we will put up and really give it that personal touch.

"I just hope he invites me to the opening."

After a short closure for refurbishment the pub is set to re-open with a more contemporary style in place.

The pub is situated two miles outside Dartford town centre and close to Crayford dog track. Facilities include a 38-cover main bar with games area, large beer garden and a three-bedroom owner's accommodations.

Jimmy Bullard senior added: "For twenty years I have run West Lodge. It was a well known place and we have great customers and clubs. It was rented off Bexley council but they took it back in January and we were all gutted.

"In 20 years there has never been in trouble, a great facility snatched away from the community."

"I spoke to Jimmy, he said 'don't worry dad, I'll tell you what we'll do. We will buy a pub and take the customers with us. Jimmy has been great helping out and getting involved."

Jimmy Bullard has been plagued with a serious knee injury since he signed for 'The Tigers', after agreeing a £5 million fee with Fulham last January.

The player added: "I'm not far away from a return. I couldn't give you an exact game. It could be four or five weeks, I've been out for eight or nine months and can't wait to get out there and do my bit for the team."

A spokesperson for Bexley Council said: "The social club was needed to rationalise our office accommodation.

"It has now been refurbished and has 21 work stations used by adult social services.

From the https://www.newsshopper.co.uk By Kelly Smale, 23rd November 2011.

Crayford One Bell FC players take up Movember challenge to raise £500 for charity.

Crayford One Bell FC players.

A FOOTBALL team will be sporting moustaches for the rest of the month after signing up to a charity event.

Fourteen Crayford One Bell FC players are hoping to raise £500 for prostate and testicular cancer by taking part in the annual event.

Movember is held throughout November and involves men from across the world being sponsored to grow a moustache.

James Gold said: "We thought it would be a good way for a group of lads to do something for a good cause."

To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/crayfordonetachefc

From the https://www.newsshopper.co.uk By Pubspy, 29th June 2017.

Pubspy reviews The One Bell in Crayford.

'You can't beat a bit of Bullard' - Pubspy reviews The One Bell in Crayford.

Crayford is a town with a fair number of pubs, and if you wander to the top of Old Road you will stumble across a pub that looks fairly out of place.

The "One Bell" sits at the top of the hill, looking as though it has been picked up and dropped from a village lost in history. It caught my eye for the right reasons.

Far too often I find myself in pubs that are over the top with its décor, and I was pleasantly surprised to enter the "One Bell" and not feel as though my soul was about to be chipped away by a branded pub selling cheap watered down booze to the sounds of Ed Sheeran.

Nothing against the fella, but this wasn’t a bad feeling.

The "One Bell’s" staff were smiley and greeted me as an old friend, and I returned their politeness as I ordered my pint of Kronenbourg – and friends we were when they only asked for £3.50 for the pint – not bad for a Kronie nowadays and there was plenty of other choice at hand.

I settled down in the corner to try and take in the atmosphere of this little watering hole.

Dotted with football memorabilia by the grace of a certain Jimmy Bullard, whose family run the pub I believe, The "One Bell" is not hard to look at.

Busy as a Friday night should be, it was filled with people who enjoying themselves and taking in the last of the evenings sun on the tables just outside the front door.

The low ceilings and open doorways make the boozer almost like a grandmother’s cottage, but you will have a much more interesting night in The "One Bell" than there.

I would honestly say this is one of the best pubs I have been too. Warm, friendly and charming.

Pretty cheap for a kronie too.

How it rated:

Staff: ****

Drink ****

Price ****

Atmosphere ****

Décor ****

LICENSEE LIST

HILL William 1861+ (age 51 in 1861)

SNELL Sydney John 1903+

WOODWARD George Alfred 1913-38+

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

Census

From the Kelly's Directory 1903

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

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