DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Saturday, 29 July, 2023.
PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest ????-

 Railway Tavern

Open 2020+

Lee Road / 16 Blackheath Village

Blackheath

020 8852 2390

https://www.therailwayblackheath.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/railway

Railway 1980

Above photo 1980, from the Blackheath Society.
Railway Tavern 1991

Above photo 1991, from the Blackheath Society.
Railway Tavern 2019

Above photo 2019.

 

Now part of Greater London, this area was indeed Kent before 1965. Hence, I will be adding information regarding this pub as and when I find or it is sent to me, but at present I'll be concentrating on the areas that are within the Kent boundary today.

Your help is appreciated, and every email is answered.

 

Railway Tavern matchbox

Above matchbox, date unknown.

 

This was opened in 1851 and originally licensed with only a beer license as landlords from the the "Three Tuns" and the "Crown" opposed the application to sell spirits.

In 1877 the licensee, Alfred Alexander Cole, created the Blackheath Pandocheion, writing "Whilst fully believing that the partaking of bodily refreshment and pleasant surroundings not only enhances the zest of consumption but ought materially to assist digestion, the process of which requires tranquillity of mind, the new proprietor of the Railway Hotel...has therefore fitted up his premises in an elaborate style (Jacobean) as luxurious as it is unique in England and adopted for it the euphonious Greek title Pandocheion".

The Pandy as it quickly became known did not last long, although the diminutive was used until the 1930s and in 1893 the proprietor stripped out all the Jacobean fitments and installed a new staircase and dining room on the first floor.

All vestiges of its Victorian origins were removed in the 1950s when Taylor Walker removed the Doric porch and columns from the front.

This has also gone under the name of the "Fairway and Firkin" from 1999, but not sure when it finally changed back, probably in 2001 when the Firkin chain was closed by the then owners Punch Taverns.

Closed in 2018 but reopened Tuesday 27th February 2018 after a significant refurbishment which shortened the length of the bar counter to make way for more restaurant seating at the rear.

 

Southeastern Gazette, 11 January 1853.

Alleged Assault at Blackheath.

Joseph Pryce, 59, a mail of gentlemanly appearance, was charged with having assaulted Jane Box, with intent, &c. A second count charged him with an indecent assault. Mr. Russell prosecuted; Mr. Horn defended the prisoner.

It appeared that the prisoner, who is a stockbroker, went to the "Railway Tavern," at Blackheath, where the prosecutrix was employed as nursemaid. On her taking him up some coffee, it was alleged that he kissed her, and took other liberties, but there was no evidence to support the first count in the indictment, and after hearing the evidence, the jury acquitted him on the second count.

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

MOORE James 1852-58+

MOORE Edwin Davis Aug/1866+

COLE Alfred Alexander 1877-81+ (age 45 in 1881Census)

TAYLOR Joseph 1891+ (age 44 in 1891Census)

FOX William 1907-11+

???? Bill & George 1980s

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

 

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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