DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Gillingham, September, 2025.

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 16 September, 2025.
PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1850s

 Railway Hotel

Latest 1979

(Name to)

170 High Street

Gillingham

Railway Hotel 1918

Above postcard, postmarked 1918.
Railway Hotel

Above postcard, date unknown.
Railway Hotel 1919

Above postcard circa 1919, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. Occupying a prominent position on Gillingham's High Street, the "Railway" was, at the time this photograph was taken a tied house, within the estate of Frederick Leney's Phoenix Brewery, Wateringbury.
Railway Hotel

Above postcard, date unknown.

Above postcard, date unknown.
Railway Hotel 1930

Above postcard 1930, kindly sent by Ray Davies, also showing the "Britannia."
Railway Hotel card 1955Railway Hotel card 1955

Above card issued April 1955. Sign series 5 number 33.

 

Changed name in 1979 to the "Southern Bell."

 

This pub is one in the list of my "Project 2014."

As such I have found a picture of the pub, but to date have no other information. 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.

 

Chatham News, Saturday 5 September 1863.

APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSEES.

Mr. Addison applied for a license for the "Railway Tavern," New Brompton. He said it was very necessary that this license should be granted, as there was no refreshment room at the railway station.

Mr. Hayward opposed; and pointed out on the map a number of houses of entertainment in the immediate neighbourhood.

Refused; Mr. Nicholson saying that it was so without prejudice to any future application.

 

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser 1895.

Shocking Accident.

On Thursday a middle-aged man named Bushell, living at Rainham, was found dead on the railway near Gillingham. He was lying in the four foot way, and his head was shockingly mutilated, besides being completely severed from the body. An inquest was held at the "Railway Hotel," Gillingham, on Friday afternoon, and, after hearing the evidence, the jury returned an open verdict.

 

LICENSEE LIST

FERRIS Thomas 1862-67+

HIBBARD Stephen 1874-76+ (also Job & Postmaster)

HIBBARD Elizabeth 1881+ (age 40 in 1881Census)

CRUMBIE John Arthur 1913-30+

POLLARD J E 1948+

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

 

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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