Above painting by J T Wilson, 1800s.

Above engraving 1870 by Llywd Roberts. Accompanying info with picture says the following:- The "White Hart" in Lewisham High-street, now a comparatively modern building, was formerly one of the old Lewisham wayside inns. Its ancient history id doubtful, for there is no mention of it in the parish registers or other documents. There were formerly two weatherboarded cottages adjoining this inn.

The picture above, is of the inn in 1870, which, as will be seen, was of 17th century date. The present building occupies the site of the old stabling, in the forecourt of which were chestnut trees with seat beneath.

Nearly opposite stood "The Limes," a house belonging to Mr. Valentine Sparrow, where John Wesley frequently stayed during his  preaching tours. When Mrs. Sparrow  died in 1784 John Wesley preached her funeral sermon.

Afterwards, when a London baker, Mr. Ebenezer Blackwell leased the house, Wesley wrote there many of his sermons.

Above photo, circa 1890.

Above alternative copy of above, kindly sent by Derek Cross.

Above engraving obviously taken from photo above.

Above photo, 1910, just showing the "White Hart" extreme right. The central building is Charled Ladbrook, fruiterer and greengrocer.

Above photo, circa 1940.

From an email received 26 July 2025.

The name on the pub “A. W. Hanwell” refers to Alfred William Hanwell (28 May 1874 – 23 Feb 1931) – my grandfather.

Married Elizabeth Mary Coles (12 Oct 1875 – 4 March 1951) on 28 March 1899 – my grandmother.

Alfred Hanwell was a man of means and a Freemason. As an occupation he dealt in Public Houses that in the early twentieth century were predominantly Free Houses. On purchasing a pub he would often put the license of the property in the name of a family member, often one of the women in the family as he had several sisters and daughters (built in barmaids). The license for the White Hart was either put in his wife’s name Elizabeth or she inherited the property on his death. Normally these pubs were sold on swiftly, in fact sometimes before licenses were even issued.

On the 27 May 1907 my mother Violet Mary Hanwell was born and in Oct 1932 married my father Edward James Derham. My Father had taken over the management of the pub shortly before the marriage.

During the Second World War during the blitz the pub suffered a near direct hit. Fortunately at the time of the bombing, late at night, there were no customers and the resident staff, including my parents were sheltering in the cellar. The pub was apparently just about totally demolished but luckily there were no injuries.

After the war my grandmother sold the license for the pub to, I believe, Whitbread’s brewery who decided not to rebuild on the bombed site but to transfer the license to a new build country pub. What they did do was to offer my father the management of the new pub once it was built. My father declined the offer. (Shame!!!!!)

During my early years, late 50’s early 60’s I can remember the sign post for the pub still standing on the edge of the pavement of Lewisham High St., obviously without the actual sign. Situated as you have reported outside BHS at the end of the open air market. It was finally removed due to road widening.

My grandmother died when I was just 5 and my mother 20 June 1964 when I was 18.

I trust that you find the above information interesting and useful.

Kind Regards.

Ken Derham.