Farningham Hill and Button Street

Farningham

Above photo, date unknown.

Above Google image, August 2017.

This was originally built as a coaching inn and named the "Hop Pole" around 1825 and was situated on the Farningham Hill, but when the railway was built in the 1860s business wained and it was converted to a private residence called Broomfield Hall and the license was transferred to the new pub also called the "Hop Pole" at Button Street in the village.

When Sonny Caller had the tenancy there was no electricity or gas to the building, and the pub was lit by oil lamps. Courage needed to lose one of the pubs in the village and decided to close it and keep the "Lamb" open.

The building is now adjacent to the M25/M20/A20 junction and stands in a couple of acres of land.

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

LLOYD Richard Bethell 1832+

BETHELL Richard 1839-40+

SHENTON William 1841+ (age 30 in 1841)

LUNN Richard 1847+

LUNN Martha Mrs 1851-55+ (widow also farmer age 51 in 1851)

DUNMALL James 1861+ (age 62 in 1861)

WALKLING William 1891+ (age 69 in 1891)

CALLER John 1901-38+ (age 39 in 1911)

CALLER Sonny 1940-before 53

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

From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

Census