Above photo 1900.

Above postcard, 1905. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, circa 1914, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard 1931.

Above postcard the same as above but tinted. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

From Barclay, Perkin's Anchor Magazine. Vol. XV, No.6 - June 1935.

This house, in the countryside and yet so easy of access from town, offers every facility for catering for parties and is a well-known house of call.

Recently the inside has been modernised and refurnished and the gardens laid out attractively, as shewn in the photograph.

The popular tenant of the "Three Horseshoes," which belongs to the Dartford Brewery Company, is Mr. F. MacDonald.

Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, 1937. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo circa 1955, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above image from Google, April 2012.

Above sign, March 1987.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Above signs, 2025, sent by John Matthews.

Information taken from http://www.threehorseshoesknockholt.co.uk/

THE HISTORY OF THE THREE HORSESHOES

The "Three Horseshoes" is believed to date back as far as 1753. It was then known as the "Horseshoes" and was a coaching inn as the road to Chevening was the road to Rye. Local persuasion has it that the entrance step is the same height above sea level as the top of the dome of St Paul's cathedral.

Legend has it that William the Conqueror watered his horse at a dew pond where the Knockholt beeches now stand - the highest point in the highest village in Kent. Knockholt used to be a busy commercial centre with farmers, fruit growers, shopkeepers, builders, blacksmiths, butcher, bakers etc. There was still a blacksmiths in the village in 1915 with the forge next to the "Three Horseshoes." By 1938 commercial life had declined with only a few trades remaining.

During the war years Ivy Farm, situated behind the "Three Horseshoes" was used as an outstation of Bletchley Park functioning as an intercept or relay station for radio signals. This work was concerned with Ultra, the breaking of the German cipher said to have been the single most significant achievement to have influenced the outcome of the war. It was so secret that the village and those that work at Ivy Farm themselves had little idea of what was going on.

The gates to Ivy Farm were guarded by military police, and the area surrounded by barrage balloons, which gave a feeling of security during the V1 raids. Workers often had lunch at the "Three Horseshoes" but wartime food was very basic.

The station is 3.0 miles north-northeast of the village of Knockholt but closer to several other settlements. The station serves several small communities in the Sevenoaks district in addition to Knockholt. Many people often wonder why the station is not named after the village within it sits. To avoid confusion with Halstead in Essex and due to Badgers Mount not entirely fulfilling the criteria for being a village, it was named after the next closest village, which is of course Knockholt.

E. S. Nesbit, resident in Halstead, set her famous novel "The Railway Children" in and around the station.

More history of Knockholt and the "Three Horseshoes" can be found here from the book - The History of Knockholt in the county of Kent by David Waldron Smithers. www.knockholtparish.org.uk

The name "Three Horseshoes" is the heraldic symbol of the Worshipful Company of Farriers a Fellowship since 1356, chartered in 1674. The assumption is that the design employed only three shoes as the other one was being worked on or replaced by the farrier. Pubs bearing this name were probably owned by the company or by its members.

Some signs, however show horseshoes gathered around a stake in the ground, representing the horseshoe-throwing game which was popular at the time.

Horseshoes have been used as pub signs for centuries. With a largely illiterate population visual signs were an important means of attracting customers and in 1393 Richard II issued an edict requiring all who brewed and sold ale to display a sign to enable the ale conner (tester - Shakespeare's father was one) to locate the premises.

A horseshoe sign was a popular choice because it was an easily recognisable symbol and had the added reputation of being able to combat witchcraft. It was also associated with good luck, a superstition to which Lord Nelson, himself widely featured on pub signs, subscribed.

In addition to the "Horseshoes" and "Three Horseshoes," there are pubs named "Four Horseshoes," "Five Horseshoes" and "Nine Horseshoes." In 1753 the Landlady of the "Three Horseshoes" in Knockholt was Ann Lambert, there has been 35 Landlords/Landlady's since then. Today it is run by Sheena Welch who has been here since 2001.

Landlords/Landladies:

From the Anchor, (house magazine for Barclay, Perkins Anchor Brewery Volume XXXV, No.1, January 1955.

Three Horseshoes, Knockholt.

This house, following extensive alterations and redecorations, is now in full swing again under the able tenancy of Mr and Mrs Summers, who have recently come from the "Rising Sun" at Leatherhead.

Mr and Mrs Summers have been tenants of Messrs. Barclay, Perkins for many years in the New Cross area and are known to wide circle of friends and customers.

The "Three Horseshoes" (Dartford Brewery) standing as it does at the junction of five roads, has long been a source of attraction to visitors, from not only the immediate surroundings but from London and it was a favourite spot for outings in the old four-in-hands. The visitors, after walking through the lovely lanes and after viewing the famous Knockholt Beeches, would end their day in the bars and attractive gardens of the "Three Horseshoes."

A further point of interest, which has recently come to light in the grounds of a house adjacent to the "Three Horseshoes" is the summer house owned by Mrs Thrale and used extensively by Dr Johnson (the lexicographer.)

The "Three Horseshoes" stands on the second highest point in Kent and glorious views of the surrounding countryside can be obtained in the very near vicinity.

By Rory Kehoe:- Hester Thrale was the widow of Henley Thrale MP who owned the Anchor Brewery and who died in 1781. Henry Thrale was a close friend of Dr Samuel Johnson. A few months after Henry's death, Hester sold the Anchor Brewery (for the huge sum of £135,000 - about £23 million in 2020) to David Barclay (of the banking family) and John Perkins, the brewery manager.

Perhaps as a gesture of literary respect, Barclay, Perkins' trademark was the portly image of Dr Samuel Johnson.

From the https://www.bbc.co.uk By Joshua Askew, 15 February 2025.

Woman killed in Valentine's Day pub shooting.

A woman in her 40s has died in a Valentine's Day shooting outside a village pub in Kent as a manhunt continues.

A police officer stands outside the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt.

One local resident reported hearing "bangs" and a woman "shouting"

Kent Police said it was treating the shooting at the Three Horseshoes on Main Road, Knockholt, just after 19:00 GMT on Friday, as a murder inquiry.

The woman, who had gunshot wounds, died at the scene, officers said.

A vehicle recovered at the Dartford Crossing along with a firearm is being linked to the death, police have said.

The suspect, a man who is believed to be known to the victim, left the area and is currently outstanding.

Kent Police said it was working to identify and locate "all persons potentially involved".

Local resident Chris Warner told the BBC: "It's a really quiet area. Everybody knows everyone.

"It's just so shocking that something like this could happen here."

A police forensic officer writes on a clipboard, wearing a white gown and blue plastic gloves.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the Three Horseshoes pub expressed its "sincere condolences to the victim's family and friends".

It added: "We also want to send our support to anyone else in the local and surrounding community who have been impacted by this.

"Please be respectful of everyone involved at this difficult time."

Steve Maines, a parish councillor in Knockholt, told the BBC he heard a "commotion" outside the venue and was told someone had been shot.

He said: "We were sitting having our Valentine's Day meal when all of a sudden we heard this huge commotion outside in the car park.

"We were told someone had been shot so we had to leave."

Villager Dorothy Wong said: "I heard around three to four bangs outside and loud shouting from a woman's voice."

Two police vehicles are parked outside a white pub.

Police officers cordoned off the area on Saturday.

Ray Picot has lived in the village for 30 years.

He said: "We looked out and saw the whole area cordoned off with ambulances, police and flashing lights.

A separate notice on the pub's Facebook page said it would be closed on Saturday "following a tragic incident outside the pub last night".

The Three Horseshoes is located about five miles (8km) north-west of Sevenoaks.

BBC reporter Daniel MacLaren said on Saturday morning the area immediately around the pub was cordoned off with police tape.

Police officers were standing by at the scene to prevent access.

From the https://britanniadaily.co.uk Wednesday, September 17, 2025. By Tara Whitman.

Woman Shot Dead by Husband Outside Kent Pub After Fleeing Marriage on Valentine’s Day, Inquest Rules.

A woman was shot and killed by her husband outside a pub on Valentine’s Day after trying to leave the relationship, an inquest has concluded. Lisa Smith, 43, was shot twice in the neck in the car park of the "Three Horseshoes" in Knockholt, Kent, after her estranged husband tracked her down and opened fire with an illegally-held handgun.

Area Coroner Katrina Hepburn ruled on Wednesday that Ms Smith died from unlawful killing, finding “requisite intent from Edward Smith to kill her or cause her really serious harm.” The court heard how Mr Smith fired four shots at his wife before sending voice notes confessing to the murder and then jumping to his death from the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.

Ms Smith, from Slough, had told her sister earlier on 14 February that she was leaving her husband and had boarded a train to Kent to stay with family. Her husband tracked her down at the rural pub that evening, blocking her friend’s car with his vehicle before opening fire at close range.

Detective Sergeant James Dolby told Kent and Medway Coroner’s Court that Ms Smith was picked up at Orpington station at approximately 2:40pm by her sister Samantha Graham and a group of friends. The group initially went to The Three Horseshoes pub before leaving and returning at around 6pm.

Just before 7pm, Ms Smith was sitting in the passenger seat of her friend Nancy’s Seat car in the pub car park when her husband arrived. He had been calling Ms Smith and her friends repeatedly whilst searching for her throughout the afternoon.

A “verbal altercation” erupted between Mr Smith and his wife’s sister Laura inside the pub, during which she called him a “narcissist”. He initially left the scene but returned moments later to carry out the fatal attack.

DS Dolby told the court: “At 18:59 Nancy reverses her Seat onto Harrow Road and stops to speak with Laura. Edward manoeuvres his vehicle to stop Nancy from exiting. Effectively Edward has blocked them in.”

Four Shots Fired at Close Range.

The coroner detailed the horrifying sequence of events that followed. Mr Smith fired the first two shots from inside his own vehicle towards the Seat car containing his wife. Neither of these initial shots caused injury.

Ms Hepburn stated: “He pulled forward in the car and fired a second shot, he was seen to exit the vehicle with arms outstretched holding a handgun and firing a shot through the driver’s side car window.”

This third shot caused “fatal damage” to Ms Smith’s neck. Mr Smith then walked around to the passenger side of the vehicle and fired a fourth shot at his wife from close range.

“Four shots were fired, the first two from within his vehicle towards the Seat. There were no injuries consistent with the trajectory of those first two bullets,” the coroner confirmed.

Father Questions Why They Didn’t Drive Away.

During Wednesday morning’s proceedings, Ms Smith’s father asked the detective why the occupants hadn’t driven away after the first two shots were fired. “You’d have started up and gone, wouldn’t you?” he asked the court.

DS Dolby explained that the attack “happened very quickly”, leaving no time for escape. The entire shooting sequence occurred within moments, with Mr Smith’s vehicle deliberately positioned to prevent any exit.

Despite immediate CPR performed by members of the public and emergency services, including an off-duty firefighter who was inside the pub, Ms Smith was pronounced dead at 7:42pm. The court heard she suffered two gunshot wounds to the neck and one to the chest.

Voice Notes Confession Before Suicide.

Following the murder, Mr Smith sent voice notes to someone he referred to as “Nana”, confessing: “I’ve shot Lisa, she’s dead.” In one of the messages, he alluded to suicide and stated: “Hopefully I’m going to get into heaven with my wife.”

The court also heard that Mr Smith called his long-time friend Leslie Thompson less than two hours after the shooting. During the 8:50pm call, he reportedly said: “She’s dead, I love you. I’ll see you on the other side.”

Mr Thompson, who had known the couple for more than 30 years, believed his friend was having a breakdown. He told investigators that Mr Smith had said: “I can’t live, we’ve all gone together” whilst also stating that “armed police will probably shoot me.

Mental Health Struggles Revealed.

A separate inquest into Mr Smith’s death, held the same afternoon by Deputy Coroner Alan Blunsdon, revealed he had been experiencing mental health difficulties. The court heard evidence from his GP at Burnham Health Centre, who confirmed Mr Smith had attended an appointment for mental health problems.

The 43-year-old told his doctor he had been sectioned approximately 10 years earlier and had previously experienced psychosis, though his mental health had been stable since. The GP noted that Mr Smith “had been arguing with his wife” and that Ms Smith had previously left him at Christmas as she was “unable to cope any more” but had returned to the relationship.

Mr Smith was prescribed medication and directed to seek further mental health support. In a follow-up appointment in January, he told his GP he was “feeling better”. He had no further contact with the surgery before the tragedy.

Body Found in River Thames.

After shooting his wife, Mr Smith drove to the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at Dartford, where his car was found abandoned just before midnight on Valentine’s Day. Police recovered the vehicle along with the illegal firearm used in the murder.

Officers received reports of a man on the wrong side of the bridge barrier, and Mr Smith was seen jumping from the bridge. His body was recovered from the River Thames on 7 March near Coldharbour Lane, Rainham, Essex, after being spotted by a member of the public using binoculars.

Deputy Coroner Alan Blunsdon concluded that Mr Smith died by suicide. The formal identification of his body brought an end to an extensive search operation that had involved marine units and helicopter searches along the Thames.

Traveller Community in Mourning.

Both Mr and Mrs Smith were members of the travelling community, and the tragedy sent shockwaves through their tight-knit society. Floral tributes appeared outside The Three Horseshoes pub within days of the shooting, with messages of condolence for the grandmother.

Ms Smith’s son Teejay paid tribute to his mother, writing: “My dear old mum, never be another to walk in her shoes, the best.” Another tribute read: “Our love and prayers are with your family, especially your boys and your beautiful granddaughter.”

Martin Ward, an Irish Traveller campaigner, expressed his shock at the incident: “I was numb when I heard about it. This has gone through the whole community like thunder. Men and boys fighting is one thing but this is different. My heart goes out to the family.”

Pub Landlady Recalls Horror.

Michelle Thomas, landlady of The Three Horseshoes, described the terrifying moments when the shooting occurred. She was preparing for the Valentine’s Day dinner service when she heard what she initially thought were fireworks just after 7pm.

“There was so much commotion – screaming, shouting, crying,” she recalled. “People were only just starting to sit down, it was early on in the evening.” Ms Thomas confirmed that around 50 customers were in the pub at the time of the shooting.

She praised the actions of an “amazing” off-duty firefighter who immediately rushed outside to provide first aid. The pub was cordoned off for several days as forensic teams conducted their investigation.

Coroner’s Verdict.

Setting out her conclusion, Coroner Katrina Hepburn stated: “I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that a short form conclusion of unlawful killing would be safe and appropriate to set out in this manner.”

She emphasised the premeditated nature of the attack: “There was intent to find Lisa Smith after she had left her home address and once she was found the car she was seated in was blocked, preventing any exit.”

The coroner found there was clear evidence of Mr Smith’s determination to track down his wife after she fled the relationship, and his deliberate actions to prevent her escape before opening fire.

Investigation Continues.

Detective Chief Inspector David Higham, who led the investigation, stated: “This murder has led to the senseless loss of a beloved daughter and mother and our thoughts remain with Lisa’s family.”

Police confirmed they are continuing to investigate the source of the illegal handgun used in the murder. The weapon was recovered alongside Mr Smith’s abandoned vehicle on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge on the night of the shooting.

The case has highlighted concerns about domestic violence and the dangers faced by those attempting to leave abusive relationships. Women’s safety campaigners have pointed to the tragedy as evidence of the extreme risks some face when trying to escape controlling partners.

The inquests into both deaths have now concluded, with the coroner’s verdicts bringing formal closure to the legal proceedings surrounding this Valentine’s Day tragedy that claimed two lives and devastated multiple families.