From the http://www.kentonline.co.uk By Joe Walker. 19 October 2017.

Video emerges of ghostly happenings at 'haunted' Tylers Kiln pub in Canterbury.

Creepy camera clips of strange goings on at a village pub have put the frighteners on staff and regulars.

Bosses at the Tyler’s Kiln in Canterbury say motion sensors have captured things moving in the dead of night, sparking claims the pub is haunted.

Staff have also reported shadows passing doors, glasses flying off shelves and lights turning on mysteriously.

Such is the number of incidents that a local paranormal group wants to carry out an investigation at the pub in Hackington Road.

Owner Allister Collins put together the video using clips from the pub’s CCTV over a two-month period from August 4.

In it, chairs are mysteriously pulled out, saloon doors swing open and a garden umbrella opens unaided.

Mr Collins says he has been overwhelmed by the interest in the footage, which he says is unedited, since he posted it on Facebook.

“It has been quite surprising just how much reaction there has been,” he said.

“I’d always heard stories about the pub being haunted, and staff are always talking of hearing footsteps when no one else is around.

“There’s also a cold spot immediately in front of the bar, even with full heating on. Customers regularly move from that spot due to the lower temperature.”

Pub cleaner Amanda Gilbert has experienced more of the haunted happenings than other staff members.

“I can hear the saloon swing-gates swing when I am cleaning the front of the pub, and when I go to have a look they are still swinging slightly, but no one else is in,” she said.

“One time I walked past the drinks storage cupboard and it was shut with the lights off, but when I came back the cupboard door had opened and the lights were on.

“The electricians checked the CCTV because they didn’t believe me, but it just showed weird distortion and the light coming on.

“Sometimes I hear someone walking around upstairs. There are very heavy footsteps, but there is never anybody up there.

“Leaflet holders also disappear from the snug and then re-appear, and when I’m cleaning the toilets downstairs shadows go past the door.

“I’ve always said there’s something creepy about it.”

Tyler's Kiln owner Allister Collins and manager Tony Sherwood.

The ghost of a local mechanic has been suggested as one likely suspect, but Suzanne Sherwood, whose parents used to run the pub when it was the Ivy House, thinks she knows who is to blame.

“That’ll be Gilbert,” she said. “My mum and dad used to live there and run the "Ivy House" many moons ago and Gilbert made his presence felt, a former landlord.

“Prawn cocktail crisp bags disappeared regularly.”

CLICK HERE to see video.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Ed McConnell, 28 October 2019.

Haunted pubs in Kent this Halloween.

Kent's colourful history and strong ties to smuggling mean it has its fair share of ghost stories.

Is a prawn cocktail crisp-pilfering phantom called Gilbert haunting this Canterbury pub? That was the theory advanced by the ex-landlord's daughter following a series of spooky goings on captured on camera in 2017. Umbrellas opened, shadows passed doors and chairs slid all over the place during one eventful summer at Tyler's Kiln. Alongside Gilbert the ghost of a mechanic was suggested as the culprit.

From the https://www.kentlive.news By Lauren MacDougall, 6 November 2019.

Kent’s cosiest pubs with gorgeous log fires that will shield you from the cold.

These stunning pubs come with crackling fires, beautiful interiors and tasty food.

Is there anything better than curling up next a toasty log fire, pint in hand?

With the winter months drawing in and November predicted to be one of the coldest ever, knowing your local cosy pub with a gorgeous log fire is more important than ever.

Whether you're looking for a tipple after a brisk walk or just after a warm afternoon out, there's plenty of choice.

These stunning pubs come with crackling fires, beautiful interiors and tasty food.

Some of them even have more than one wood burner, so you won't be fighting for the coveted space in front of the flickering flames.

If you're looking for some inspiration, check out our list below.

The Tyler's Kiln.

It's pretty cosy inside the Tyler's Kiln.

Where : Tyler Hill, Canterbury - CT2 9NE.

What :This quaint tavern does all the standard events - a pub quiz, live music but also coffee mornings and an even an 'American Night'.

But it is also at the heart of the village community.

It is even more welcoming during the winter months with its crackling red brick fires and country-inspired interior design.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Lydia Chantler-Hicks, 27 November 2019.

Tyler's Kiln in Canterbury launches Christmas loneliness campaign with free tea and coffee.

A pub near Canterbury is tackling loneliness this festive season by offering free refreshments to those experiencing social isolation.

The Tyler's Kiln in Tyler Hill is opening its doors to lonely people of all ages, inviting them to pop in for a hot drink and shortbread around their roaring fireplace, with no questions asked.

The Tyler's Kiln's Christmas lights. Picture: Allister Collins.

The pub is currently the picture of Yuletide cosiness - decked out in its notoriously resplendent Christmas lights.

But its philanthropic owner is hoping to spread the festive cheer to those spending the season alone.

Allister Collins said: "In Canterbury and Whitstable, over half of all those aged 75 or older live alone.

"Two-fifths of all older people say the television is their only companion and 11% have not spoken with their family, friends, or neighbours for more than a month.

"People receive meals on wheels and sometimes won't even see the people that deliver them - they just sit at home.

"We know of people in the village who are isolated, and we're hoping people bring them in.

"I remember when I was leafleting for the pub I tried to speak to them, but some are so isolated they don't even want to come to the door - you can see them sitting there inside."

Mr Collins has launched an anti-loneliness campaign along with a tear-jerking video, in a bid to raise awareness of social isolation and to tackle the problem.

"Please take their hand this Christmas, and we'll extend ours," reads the message at the end of the video, which has already been viewed thousands of times in the few days since it launched.

But Mr Collins stresses the offer is open to people of all ages.

Allister Collins at The Tyler's Kiln near Canterbury.

"This isn't just elderly people," he said. "Even those who are very young are actually considered some of the loneliest.

"Isolation even costs the NHS a huge amount of money, too, as lonely people can suffer from depression and even face early death.

"All of the staff are being briefed that loneliness affects all ages - it's nothing to do with being elderly. We can feel completely lonely in a crowd.

"It's just about spreading companionship and bringing people out of their homes.

"We welcome and will look after them. We won't ask any questions.

Owner Allister Collins with CAMRA's Pub of the Year Award, won by The Tyler's Kiln this year. Picture: Allister Collins.

"Christmas is a time when people feel most lonely if they're socially isolated, and it's a time when people think of others.

"If you have 100 houses down your road, there will be maybe four, five, six people who aren't speaking to people all week.

"If you know someone suffering from social isolation or loneliness this festive season, please bring them to The Tyler's Kiln and we shall welcome you with open arms and offer free teas, coffees and shortbread around our fireplace, between 11am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

"Simply tell us at the bar that you have 'taken their hand' when ordering your teas and coffees and you will not be charged.

"Nobody deserves to be alone this festive season."

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Lydia Chantler-Hicks, 7 March 2022.

The Tyler's Kiln pub near Canterbury reopening under management of fine dining restaurant Kathton House.

A popular village pub is set to reopen after being closed for 18 months – to the relief of many who had feared for its future.

The Tyler's Kiln in Tyler Hill, near Canterbury, has been shut since November 2020, sparking speculation it would be sold or turned into student accommodation.

But bosses have confirmed the pub is reopening later this week – with the business having been taken over by Sturry fine dining restaurant Kathton House.

Owner Allister Collins, who lives in the village, bought The Tyler's Kiln in 2012 before launching it in 2015 following a major refurbishment.

It has since become a key hub of the village, with Allister keen to ensure it "serves the community".

But when the pub remained shut long after Covid restrictions were lifted last May, villagers grew concerned about its future.

For months, mystery shrouded the closure as Allister remained quiet on the subject – assuring those who asked only that the premises would eventually reopen.

And to the relief of many, he has now confirmed it will welcome back customers this week, but under new management.

The businessman has apologised to punters for his "radio silence".

He explained that during lockdown, he realised he no longer enjoyed running the food side of the business.

"I made a decision that I was going to look for a kitchen partner – someone I can rely on, who does decent food," he said.

But when restrictions lifted in the summer, he was met with a "perfect storm" of rising staffing and food costs, and staff shortages due to the so-called pingdemic.

A sign spotted outside The Tyler's Kiln at Tyler Hill during March 2020 following the breakout of the pandemic. Picture: Chris Davey.

In the following months, he found someone to take over the food side of things but eventually decided against the partnership, and toyed with the idea of finding someone to take over the entire business.

"I did a lot of soul-searching, because that pub was everything to me," he said. "It was my baby in a way."

But Allister finally found a "perfect partnership" in Kathton House – a small fine dining restaurant in Sturry, run by Corina Grenham and her husband Justin.

The pair have now closed down their Sturry premises and moved into The Tyler's Kiln, where they will run the entire pub operation, including their restaurant as Kathton House at The Tyler's Kiln.

"Their food is just top notch – it's incredible," said Allister.

"They understood that it has to be a community-led pub, it just needs some excellent food and that is exactly what they can bring.

"Corina was worried a larger venue would lose the intimacy they had at Kathton House, but after she saw it, she really felt it would be perfect and they can offer so much more to customers.

"We have a snug you could have pre-drinks in, you could have a night cap around the big roaring open fireplace - there's just so much opportunity. And of course you've got the great big garden with all-weather awning and heating.

"They've got excellent service, excellent food, and I believe I have an excellent venue."

Allister says dining at the pub will be "more of an experience" than before, with Kathton House offering tasting menus, wine pairings, and a higher price point.

Tables laid in the dining area of Kathton House at The Tyler's Kiln. Picture: Allister Collins.

But he insists the community will still be at the heart of the business.

The restaurant will eventually resume serving the ever-popular "village favourites" – classic pub fare such as burgers and fish pies, available for a lower price than the more gourmet menu.

Kathton House will also be taking on The Tyler's Kiln's much-loved Christmas lights display, and the premises will be open for lunch on Christmas Day for the first time.

Allister admitted: "It was never my intention to take so long to reopen the pub.

"I thought I'd be able to provide progress updates throughout, but I'm a businessman and I know that if people got wind that I was having trouble finding people or that negotiations had broken down, it would just weaken my hand.

"So I kept very quiet, and when anyone asked all I could say was that 100% the pub would reopen, I just don't know when.

"I'd like to apologise for the radio silence - there was a method in the madness, and that was that it enabled me to negotiate the best deal for the pub, and the best deal for the community."

"I'd love to see [villagers] all back at the pub, and supporting Kathton House, and I'm sure that we'll make it a success."

The premises is due to reopen "towards the end" of this week. For more up-to-date information, visit The Tyler's Kiln's website.

Grand plans for village.

Allister hopes to put his new-found free time to use by developing extra amenities for Tyler Hill.

The garden area at The Tyler's Kiln. Picture: Allister Collins.

Having relinquished control of the restaurant, he is keen to set up allotments in the village so residents – and Kathton House – can grow fruit and vegetables.

He is in talks with the council about the project, which he hopes to launch on a 46-acre site he already owns in Tyler Hill.

Last year, he also opened accommodation beside The Tyler's Kiln at Hambrook House.

The site is currently running as a guest house but will soon become a bed-and-breakfast, while a spa is also being added to the site.

Allister says his "long-term goal" is to launch a minibus service for the village, running between Tyler's Kiln, the University of Kent, Blean, and Canterbury.

New accommodation at The Tyler's Kiln. Picture: Allister Collins.

"The end game is to get enough business at The Tyler's Kiln and associated accommodation to be able to make a minibus service for the village viable," he said.

"Because our transport links in the village are just so poor. Unfortunately the bus doesn't operate very frequently, and residents in the village can be quite cut off sometimes.

"I've always wanted to sort out that problem – it just needs the demand to be able to pay for it."