DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Chatham, November, 2025.

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 12 November, 2025.
PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1871-

 Halfway House

Demolished 1960s

1-3 Magpie Hall Road

Chatham

Halfway House

Above photo, date unknown.
Half Way House 1938

Above photo, circa 1938 by kind permission of https://kentphotoarchive.org.uk/
Half Way House location 2010

Above Google image March 2010.

 

The Licensing Records of 1872 stated that the premises held a Beer License and was owned by George Stevens of Strood.

The building was demolished in the 1960s along with several other houses in the street.

 

From a local paper, April 1969.

Lovely Way To Train.

Halfway House wheelbarrow race 1969

Practising for a wheelbarrow race up Chatham Hill next week are the regulars of the "Halfway House," Magpie Hall Road, Chatham. During the race competitors must drink a pint of beer at each of nine pubs on the hill. Champion Mr. Sid Marley is timed by official judge and timekeeper Mr. Harry Ring.

Looking on are challenger Mr. Frank McGinty and his manager, Mr. Bill Barfoot.

Thirty-two-year-old Sidney, of Waghorn Street, has held the title since 12 years ago. His time for the stretch was 1 hour 3 minutes... "about this long" but he has never raced a wheelbarrow since! The events of Saturday, 3 May will decide whether or not he still deserves the crown.

Francis (21), of Dale Street, Chatham, should provide keen competition. "I'm really going to train for this," he said the other night, dipping into another pint at his local. "I feel pretty confident about my chances."

 

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.

 

LICENSEE LIST

Last pub licensee had BOAKES Thomas 1871-72+ (age 71 in 1871Census) Licensing Records 1872

PLUMBER James 1881+ (age 41 in 1881Census)

ATTWOOD Edward 1891+ (age 61 in 1891Census)

KELLY John 1903+ Post Office Directory 1903Kelly's 1903

BROWN Stevens William 1913-22+ Post Office Directory 1913

COTTON Joseph Henry 1930+ Post Office Directory 1930

FOWLER Lesley 1938+ Post Office Directory 1938

WICKHAM A 1955+

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

http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/halfwayhouse.html

 

Licensing Records 1872Licensing Records 1872

CensusCensus

Post Office Directory 1903From the Post Office Directory 1903

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Post Office Directory 1913From the Post Office Directory 1913

Post Office Directory 1930From the Post Office Directory 1930

Post Office Directory 1938From the Post Office Directory 1938

 

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