DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Monday, 20 December, 2021.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1606-

Bowl

Open 2020+

Egg Hill Road

Charing

01233 712256

http://www.bowlinncharing.com/

https://whatpub.com/bowl-inn

Hunt outside Bown 1976

Above photo, January 1976, taken by Gordon Luck and sent by Dougie Moon.

Hunt outside Bown 1976

Above photo, January 1976, taken by Gordon Luck and sent by Dougie Moon.

Bowl

Photos taken on 28 August, 2006 from http://www.flickr.com by John Law.

Bowl sign 1990Bowl sign 2006

Above sign left, August 1990. Sign right, October 2006.

Thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

 

The "Bowl," situated high above Charing on top of the North Downs in a Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), was originally built as a farmhouse in 1512, and then in 1606 it became a brewhouse. I have also seen this addressed as at Stalisfield.

An entry in Fremlin's 1950s publication called "Where shall we go," indicated the following:- Phone number - Charing 256. Parking accommodation - Cars only. Remarks - Police Regulations allow 15 seater Coaches only, owing to width of road in the vicinity.

 

It has had a long and varied history until the present licensees took charge in 1992. Alan and Sue Paine have managed to forge their own mark on this 16th Century Freehouse. For those not content to just relax in front of the log fire in the huge old inglenook or play a quiet game of cards, dominoes or shut-the-box, there is an unusual hexagonal rotating pool table. Added to this is an extensive rural garden and South facing front sun terrace which is covered and heated on those more typical English summer days! There are also facilities for camping.

In 2006 they were awarded the Bronze award for Green Tourism and still carry out best Green practices but are no longer members of the scheme. (2014)

 

Local knowledge, further pictures, and licensee information would be appreciated.

I will be adding the historical information when I find or are sent it, but this project is a very big one, and I do not know when or where the information will come from.

All emails are answered.

 

Kentish Gazette, Tuesday 25 September 1855.

At the petty sessions on Monday, before the Rev. Dr. Poore and the Rev. G. B. Moore, licences of several innkeeper's in the district of Sittingbourne were renewed.

Abraham Chapman, of the "Bowl Inn," Stalisfield, was summoned by Mr. Superintendent Green for keeping open his house for the sale of beer at a quarter to 12 o'clock on Sunday, the 2nd instant. The defendant pleaded guilty, but said he was not at home at the time. Fined £2 10s., including costs.

 

From the Kentish Chronicle, 26 March, 1864.

A VICTIM OF INTEMPERANCE.

On Saturday, Mr. Deputy-Coroner Callaway held an inquest at the “Bowl Inn,” Stalisfield, on the body of Andrew J Tosh, labourer, aged 35 years. Elizabeth Chapman, sister of the landlord of the “Bowl” deposed that on the previous Wednesday the deceased was drinking at that house. He was the worse for liquor when he entered, and was served with three pints of beer. About half-past fire o’clock in the afternoon he left to go home.

Mr. Spillett, farmer, deposed that the deceased had been in his service, off and on, for several years. About 6 o’clock on Wednesday evening Mr. Spillett, saw the deceased lying by a style in a field. He was snoring heavily and Mr. Spillett did not disturb him, having seen him in that state on many previous occasions.

William Water, of Stalisfield, labourer, deposed:- On Wednesday, about half-past five, I was at work in the same field where the body was found. I saw the deceased crossing the meadow. I was only about four rods from him. He said “I can't walk straight.” He was walking very crooked, as if he was in liquor. I saw him get as far as the end of the meadow, and then reel into the hedge. His hands were in his trousers pockets. On the next morning about half-past seven I was in the same meadow and found the body of deceased lying down in the same place where I had seen him roll into the hedge—lying rather on his right side. His mouth and one of his nostrils were in the ground. His head was lower than his body, and his hands still in his pockets. With assistance I removed him.

The Deputy-Coroner having summed up, the jury returned a verdict of “Death from suffocation caused by intemperate habits.”

From the https://www.kentlive.news By Lauren MacDougall, 21 December 2019.

The 33 pubs in Kent you have to drink at in 2020 according to CAMRA.

In total Kent has heaps of pubs listed in the guide and, while 33 of these are new entries, others have appeared in previous editions of the guide.

A total of 33 pubs from around Kent make up the new entries that feature in the 2020 edition of the Good Beer Guide.

The guide is produced annually by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the independent guide to the best boozers in the UK that is researched by unpaid and independent volunteers nationwide.

Tom Stainer, CAMRA’s chief executive, said: “For nearly five decades, the Good Beer Guide has been a comprehensive guide to the UK’s breweries, their ales, and the best outlets to find them in across the country.

“What makes the Guide unique is that all the entries are compiled and vetted by a huge volunteer team, based around the country. We work hard to ensure that all areas of the country are covered and, unlike with some competitor titles, inclusion in this book is dependent only on merit, not on payment.

“The Good Beer Guide has always had an important role in acting as a barometer of the beer and pub industry. We believe information gleaned from the Guide is absolutely vital in the drive to save our pubs from closure and campaign for policies that better support pubs, local brewers and their customers.”

This pub is included in the 2020 list.

Bowl Inn, Charing.

What the guide says: "This lovingly restored Grade II-listed village pub with vintage advertising material retains many period features."

What the guide says: "In former bank premises, this bar is tastefully decorated with low tables and chairs and has a collection of old keg beer fonts displayed on shelves and window ledges."

 

LICENSEE LIST

CHAPMAN Elizabeth 1841+ (age 70 in 1841Census)

CHAPMAN Abraham 1855+

STUPPLES Henry 1858+

CHAPMAN Abraham 1871+ (age 64 in 1871Census)

CHAPMAN William 1881+ (age 43 in 1881Census)

FOWLE Charles 1882+

GILES George 1891-1903+ (age 64 in 1901Census) Kelly's 1903

BURROW Arthur Charles 1913+

PAINE Alan & Sue 1992-2014+

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

 

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

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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