DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- St Marys/Pauls Cray, March, 2025.

Page Updated:- Thursday, 13 March, 2025.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1832-

White Swan

Close 6 Sept 2023

21 Kent Road / Wellington Road

St Mary Cray

01689 838120

https://whatpub.com/white-swan

https://www.facebook.com/whiteswansmc/

White Swan 1900

Above photo circa 1900, showing the Pring family.

White Swan 1911

Above postcard, 1911.

White Swan 2013

Above photo, 2013.

White Swan

Above photo, date unknown.

White Swan 2024

Above photo, 2024.

White Swan Coronation party 2023

Above photo, King's Coronation party May 2023.

White Swan Coronation party 2023

Above photo, King's Coronation party May 2023.

 

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.

 

From the Kentish Independent, Saturday 1 September, 1849.

GREENWICH COUNTY COURT.

Tester v. Field.

The plaintiff who is a publican sought in this case to recover of defendant, a "navvy" the sum of £4 10s. 6d., for beer and lodgings.

Mr. Tester said that Field had gone and told him, that he was to let certain workmen have what drink they required, and he would pay for it. Defendant admitted that he had said so, as far as that applied to the time they were at work, but he alleged that the plaintiff had gone beyond his orders, and had supplied the men with drink when they were not at work. He had no witnesses to call, and the Judge ordered him to pay 4s. a month. The defendant, who did not seem to comprehend the justice of paying for drink consumed by his friends, exclaimed, "what pay 4s. a month for other people's debts?"

 

From the https://www.newsshopper.co.uk 15th September 2023, By Berk Uyal

The White Swan Orpington closed after sexual assault allegation.

A pub in Orpington has permanently closed after an allegation of sexual assault was made at the venue.

The White Swan pub confirmed on social media it has shut its doors following an incident on September 6.

A licensing visit was made to the Kent Road venue and feedback was provided to the company.

Officers say there has not been a licensing hearing or any direction to close the venue from them.

The management company took the decision to close the venue, it confirmed.

The White Swan referred to the date of the incident as Friday (September 8) on its Facebook page.

However, a spokesperson for Metropolitan Police confirmed it took place on September 6.

The News Shopper understands the White Swan’s Facebook page has now been deleted since they released a statement.

We have contacted Stonegate Group for a comment regarding the incident.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “We can confirm that on Wednesday, 6 September police received an allegation of sexual assault that took place at the White Swan public house, Kent Road, Orpington.

“A licensing visit was made, as is standard procedure following an incident of note and as a result feedback was provided to the company who manage the venue.

“The management company took the decision to close the venue.

“There has not been a licensing hearing or any direction to close from the MPS.”

The full statement on the White Swan Facebook page says: “Sorry guys. I’ve been informed by @metpolice & @stonegateinns that we have to close the pub with immediate effect.

“The pub won’t be allowed to reopen again. Due to an incident on Friday night.”

 

I am a bit confused with this one. Their Facebook page seems to indicate that the pub was closing around September 2023 due to an incident and that the bar had been dismantled as shown below by June 2024, yet they are still wishing their customer a "Happy New Year" at the end of December 2024.

White Swan dismantled bar 2024

Is this pub closed? Local knowledge required please.

 

LICENSEE LIST

TESTER Matthew 1832-49+ Pigot's Directory 1832-34

PACKMAN Thomas 1858+

Uninhabited 1861

CONSTABLE Henry Philip 1871+ (age 30 in 1871Census)

PRING Charles 1881+ (also carman 55in 1881Census)

WHITEHEAD Stanley Lorne 1911-22+ (age 42 in 1911Census)

WHITEHEAD Clifford 1938+

WHYTON F G 1988+

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

 

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

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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