High Street
Staplehurst
01580 891231
http://thekings.pub/
https://whatpub.com/kings-head
Above photo, circa 1900. |
Above postcard, circa 1900. |
Above postcard, date unknown, kindly submitted by Mark Jennings. |
Above photo 2010 by Oast House Archives,
Creative Commons Licence. |
Above sign left, December 1993, sign right 2010.
With thanks from Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com. |
Above sign, 2020, kindly taken and sent by Roger Pester. |
Above matchbox, date unknown, kindly sent by Debi Birkin. |
It is suggested by Anita Thompson of the Staplehurst Society
that the "King's Head" was called the "Bell" as early as 1661.
One time a Mason's tied house, but the brewery was bought out by Shepherd
Neame in 1956 and the brewery was subsequently closed and demolished.
The pub won Shepherd Neame's Pub of the Year in 2013.
Thought to have been originally built between 1370 and 1400 but after
extensive alterations it is now considered to be an 18th century building
that has gained a Grade 2 listing.
As the information is found or sent to me, including photographs, it will
be shown here.
Thanks for your co-operation.
From the Kentish Gazette, 12 May 1840.
DEATH.
May 1, of a decline, at the "Royal Oak Inn," Wrotham Heath, Mrs.
Butcher, wife of Mr. Butcher, landlord of the "King's Head," Staplehurst.
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Southeastern Gazette, 10 May 1853.
STAPLEHURST. Inquest.
On Monday an inquest was held at the "King’s Head Inn," before W. T.
Neve, Esq., coroner, on the body of W. Trayton Reynolds, infant son
of Mrs. Reynolds, widow of a labourer who died in June last. The
child had been subject to hooping cough, and in its fits of coughing
struggled hard for breath. The mother had been in the habit of
administering to it doses of anodyne mixture obtained for the
purpose from the shop of Mr. Bryant, grocer. On Sunday night the
infant appeared in its usual health on being put to bed; but when
the mother awoke about five o’clock next morning it was dead. These
facts having been established by two neighbours, and by Mr. John
Penkivil, surgeon, who had been called to see the child, the jury
returned a verdict of "Death from natural causes."
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From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 5 October 1861.
Staplehurst. The Hop Fair.
This annual fair was held on Wednesday last. The weather was
unfavourable,
but there was a numerous attendance of farmers and factors, and a fair
amount of business was done, at prices varying from £8 to £10.
As usual,
Mr. And Mrs. Tomsett provided an excellent dinner at the "Kings Head
Inn," at which Mr. Hammond, of St. Mary's Cray, presided. In the
afternoon, a considerable number of the company adjourned to the "South
Eastern Hotel," where an auction hop sale was held by Mr. J. Apps, of
Goudhurst, being the first of a number he has announced. The bidding was
spirited, and a good many samples changed hands, at from £8 10s. to £10
10s.
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From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 2 November 1861.
Staplehurst. The Improvement Society.
The second Lecture for the season was given in the Assembly Room at the
"King's Head" on Monday evening last, by Mr. Fardon, of Maidstone. The
subject was "a Gossip with the Poets." Captain Usborne presided, and at
the conclusion received in conjunction with the lectorer a vote of
thanks from a numerous and respectable audience. We hear the committee
have secured the services of Mrs. Balfour.
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Sussex Agricultural Express, Saturday 8th November, 1890.
Extension of time.
An hours extension of time was granted to Mr. Tomsett, of the "Kings
Head Inn," Staplehurst, on the occasion of an agricultural dinner.
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South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 9th February, 1915.
At Cranbrook Licensing Sessions on Thursday the Chairman (Mr. W. H.
Tylden Pattinson) announced that all the licences would be renewed
with the exception of the "Kings Head," the "Bell," the "Lamb," and
the "Crown," all in Staplehurst; and the "Prince of Wales," in Rolvenden Lane. These, on the grounds of redundancy, would be
referred to the March Sessions. He congratulate it the licence
holders on the way they had conducted their business.
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Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 18 September 1970.
From a Kent pub to Devon Cottage.
Pictured with his hunting horn is Mr. Edwin Cox, landlord of one of
the oldest pubs in Kent, the "King's Head", Staplehurst. Mr. Cox,
who acquired the horn from his hunting days, blew it for the last
time 5-minutes before closing time on Monday; he and his wife, who
is also in the picture, are retiring.
Mr. Edwin Cox - known as "Wompo" - in the pub trade - retired as
landlord of the "King's Head," Staplehurst, on Monday, after 8 years
at the bar.
With his wife, Mrs. Susan Cox, he left to start retirement at the
age of 65 in the converted Fisherman's Cottage at Brixham in South
Devon.
Mr. Cox, who left his job on the advice of his doctor, was landlord
and tenant of many pubs and hotels in the area before moving to
Staplehurst.
They included the "Downham Tavern" at Bromley Common the "Victoria"
and the "Running Horse" at Maidstone and the "Surrey Hounds" at Caterham. He was also landlord of the "Huntsman" at Eridge (he
changed the name from the "Railway" to the "Huntsman" because of his
interest in hunting.)
"It is hard work but I have enjoyed it and enjoyed living in
Staplehurst, Mr. Cox said.
Farewell parties included a visit from publicans and members of the
Licensed Victuallers' Association, who presented Mr. Cox with a tea
making alarm clock on Thursday of last week.
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LICENSEE LIST
WESTON John 1661-64+
STILL William 1828+
STILL Martha 1832+
BUTCHER John 1840-58 (age 48 in 1851)
TOMSETT Charles Ingram 1858-1903+ (also farmer age 72 in 1901)
BATES Charles 1911+ (age 37 in 1911)
MERCER Lawrence 1913+
COX Edward 1960s-Sept/70
KEIGHLEY Pam & Dave ????
MONKS David & Margaret 1980s-2008
MONKS Richard (son) 2008+
???? Nicola & Robbie 2013+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/KingsHead.shtml
From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29
From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
Census
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