DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Tunbridge Wells, October, 2021.

Page Updated:- Friday, 01 October, 2021.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1600s

Grove Tavern

Open 2021+

19 Berkeley Road/34 Little Mount Sion

Royal Tunbridge Wells

01892 526549

http://www.grovetavern.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/grove-tavern

Griove Tavern 1920

Above photo 1920.

Grove Tavern 2012

Above photo 2012 by Nigel Chadwick Creative Commons Licence.

Above photo 2013 by Nigel Chadwick Creative Commons Licence.

Grove Tavern sign 1986Grove Tavern sign 2009

Above sign left, March 1986, sign right, 11 June 2009.

Grove Tavern card 1950Grove Tavern card 1950

Above aluminium card issued 1950. Sign series 2 number 17.

Grove Tavern 2020

Above photo, 2020.

 

The building gained its Grade II listing on 7 June 1974.

It has been suggested that this pub may be the oldest or one of the oldest pubs in Tunbridge Wells but research by Edward Gilbert indicates that this is perhaps only true by name only.

The earliest reference to it is from a book called "Royal Tunbridge Wells" by Roger Farthing who says its first two owners were Mr Jordan and then Mr Thomas Matthew, back in the mid 1700's.

One person who is familiar with the "Grove Tavern" says there is a tunnel running from it to a house across the street and legend has it that this house was one of "ill repute".

On July 11, 2009 there was a grand unveiling of a new hanging sign on this pub. http://youtu.be/I9Rbw4xBVTo.

The pubs address is given in the earlier records as 34 Mount Sion and its under this address that English Heritage gave it a grade II listing June 7,1974. The pub itself is located on the corner of Mount Sion and Berkeley Rd and in recent times its address is given as 19 Berkeley Rd.

 

From the https://www.timeslocalnews.co.ukby Richard Williams, 30th March 2020.

Pub lawfully offering takeaway pints hits back at ‘self-opinionated’ online critics.

A LANDLORD has hit back at online critics after he decided to begin offering takeaway beer from his pub.

Steve Baxter, who runs the Grove Tavern in Berkeley Road – one of the oldest pubs in Tunbridge Wells – decided to begin offering a takeaway service for his beers and ales after the government revised guidelines allowing pubs and bars to offer the service.

However, after he began the service, a ‘self-opinionated’ online critic unfairly condemned the practice, saying Mr Baxter was being ‘irresponsible’ and ‘putting everyone at risk to line his own pockets’.

But the landlord responded with his own post on social media.

He said: “The decision to do this was not lightly made and is completely within the revised government guidelines, which I constantly monitor, along with this ever-evolving situation.

“The risks are continually evaluated, whilst also taking into account such things as the low number of confirmed cases in the area.”

He said that he was the only person in the pub and beer was being sold through an off-sales serving hatch.

The law allows for pubs to sell beer for off site consumption, as long as people obey social distancing rules and do not congregate outside.

Mr Baxter continued: “I don’t need to keep running up and down from my flat to the pub to dispense beer orders, putting myself at risk – especially as I have asthma – but I do it because a number of you asked.”

He went on: “Hopefully, this service is aiding some of you to stay sane through this lockdown period.”

He added that bottles and draught beers were on offer at the pub and poured into customer’s containers or a supplied four-pint flagon – subject to a £2.00 deposit.

He said orders can be placed via Twitter [@scb31] or via SMS/What’sApp/or telephone 07767 616039.

 

LICENSEE LIST

JORDAN Mr 1700s

MATTHEW Thomas to 1718

MATTHEWS John 1718+

FARMER W Mr to Apr/1892 Thanet Advertiser

FARMER P Mr Apr/1892+ Thanet Advertiser

DADSWELL Henry Okdell 1912-13+

GABRIEL Thomas 1918+

DADSWELL Henry Okell 1922-61 (may be other family members included)

BURKE F 1967+

BURKE P H 1970-72+

BAXTER Steven 2003-21+

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

 

Thanet AdvertiserThanet Advertiser

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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