122 High Street (Whetstead Road)
Tonbridge
01732 358957
https://whatpub.com/olde-chequers-inn
Above showing an artists impression (building left) prior to 1798,
with the stocks and market cross in the road outside. |
Above print showing the same view of the First United Kingdom general
election Tonbridge 8th December 1832. |
Above painting 1899.
By kind permission
http://tonbridgecollectables.com/index.php |
Above painting 1901.
By kind permission
http://tonbridgecollectables.com/index.php |
Above photo, date unknown.
By kind permission
http://tonbridgecollectables.com/index.php |
Above postcard, date unknown. |
Above photo circa 1900. |
Above postcard date unknown. |
Above postcard, date unknown.
By kind permission
http://tonbridgecollectables.com/index.php |
Above postcard, 1906. |
Above postcard, circa 1907, kindly send by Rory Kehoe. |
Above painting, circa 1908, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. Artist is by ???? Williams. |
Above postcard, 1908. |
Above photo circa 1910, showing "Ye Olde Chequers Inn" on the left and
"Dances Umbrella Store" on the right. |
Above photo, circa 1910. Kindly sent by Rory
Kehoe. |
Above drawing taken from Highways and Byways in Kent, 1914. |
Above drawing by E. J. Maybery. 1887 - 1964. |
Above postcard, date 1919, kindly sent by Mark Jennings. |
Above photo, circa 1919, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above postcard franked 1921.
Kindly supplied by
http://www.tonbridgehistory.org.uk/ |
Above postcard, 1922, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above postcard, postmarked 1924. |
Above postcard, 1924, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above postcard circa 1927, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above postcard, date unknown.
Kindly supplied by
http://www.tonbridgehistory.org.uk/ |
Above photo, circa 1930s. |
Above postcard, date 1935, kindly sent by Mark Jennings. |
Above postcard, circa 1934, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo, 1943. |
Above photo, 1944, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo, 1944, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above sign, 1944, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo circa 1960. |
Above postcard, date probably the same as above, kindly sent by Mark Jennings. |
Above photo 1990, kindly sent by Philip Dymott. |
Above picture from the Lloyds Bondman cigarette card collection Old English Inns, number 2. |
Above photos, 2 January 2011, taken by Eric Hartland. |
|
Above photo 2012 by Nigel Chadwick
Creative Commons Licence. |
The building gained Grade II listing on 8 May 1950.
The "Chequers Inn" dates from c.1264. The present building, one
of the oldest in the town, is largely sixteenth century, but the inn has
catered for thirsty travellers and townsfolk for nearly seven hundred years.
The name could be linked to the word "Exchequer" and a connection with
fee-gathering for the lords of the castle.
A room on the first floor was possibly used as a Justices' room and at
times a hangman's noose dangled from a strong oak sign post that jutted out
over the street. Close to The Chequers was the traditional place for legal
punishments – such as the stocks and a whipping post. In July 1555 Margery
Polley was burnt here for her religious beliefs and in July 1575 Katherine,
the wife of Edmund Brystowe, was burnt for poisoning her husband.
Wat Tyler's
brother was reputedly the last man hanged outside the "Chequers."
The inn was also used as a location in many of the novels of Jeffrey
Farnol.
Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Saturday 09 May 1857.
Tonbridge Petty Sessions. Stealing Clothes.
The man who gave the name of James Serriff, and stated that he lived in
London, was brought up by Police-constable Waghorn and charged with
stealing (with another man not in custody), a waistcoat, value 3s. the
property of Edward Pelling, at Tonbridge, on the 27th April.
Prosecutor deposed:- I am ostler at the "Chequers Inn." On Sunday
evening, April 26, the prisoner and another came into our house and
engaged a bed for the night. They had no bundle with them. They slept in
the next room to mine. The next morning the other man called out t me
from his room and asked if I wasn't going to get up. This was about six
o'clock. I got up and went down stairs. I left my room the articles
mentioned in the charge. The prisoner and the other man came down in
about a quarter of an hour after I did. Prisoner had a bundle -
something wrapped up in the handkerchief produced. I gave them something
to drink and 6d., and they went away.
Thomas Goddard deposed to prisoner telling him since he was taken into
custody, that the other man gave him a bundle in their bedroom at the
"Chequers," which he said contained a dirty shirt; that they went on the
road, and then parted, and prisoner saw the other man take a
handkerchief and other articles from the bundle.
Remanded till Saturday (this day).
John Cox was afterwards charged with being concerned in the above case.
Thomas Goddard deposed to finding a piece of paper on the prisoner
Sheriff with the names of several places on it upwards from Hastings. In
consequence of which he went to Hastings, and succeeded in apprehending
the prisoner Cox, who confessed that he and Sheriff had stolen the
things from the "Chequers.
Remanded to Saturday (this day.)
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Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, Saturday 22nd September 1860.
Tunbridge.
On Friday, John Price, a tramp, was charged before Major Schoones and J.
Ridgway Esq., with stealing about 5s. in money, the property of John
Luck, of East Peckham. Both parties were lodging at the "Chequers Inn,"
and on Wednesday night prosecutor lost his money, which was found on
prisoner.
Committed for trial.
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Kent Times, 12 April 1862.
A Noisy Bacchanalian.
Stephen Annett, Tunbridge, was charged by Supt. Dance, with being
drunk and riotous on the 29th ult. at Tonbridge.
P.C. Morris said that while on duty near the "Angel Inn," Tonbridge,
between 12 and 1 o’clock on the night in question the defendant came
down the street hallooing and dancing. He told him to go quietly.
Defendant became then very abusive and used vile language. He
afterwards, went along with another person, conducted himself in the
same manner crossing the Railway bridge.
Defendant stated that he came out of the "Chequers Inn" about
half-past 11 o’clock. He remembered all that passed distinctly, and
had a witness to prove that the evidence was false but he would not
come.
Supt Dance informed the Bench that the defendant invariably made a
noise when he caught sight of a constable.
Fined 5s. and 10s costs, in default seven days.
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From the Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, 24 September, 1870.
ADJOURNED LICENSING DAY.
The Petty Sessions were held on Tuesday before C. Powell, Esq., (in the
Chair), A. Pott, Esq., Major Scones, Sir David Solomons, Bart., M.P. and
J. G. Talbot, Esq., M.P.
Mr. Rogers applied for a license to be granted on behalf of the "Chequers," that the license should be
granted to Mrs. Birch who was about giving up the position of the house
to Mr. John Seale, so that at the transfer day it might be transferred
to Mr. Scale.
The application was granted.
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From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 7 February, 1908.
Supt. Styles in his annual report to the licensing justices, said the
licensees had generally conducted their houses in a satisfactory manner,
with the following exceptions: .... Frank Paskins, "Chequers Inn,"
Tonbridge, permitting drunkenness; ....
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Secret Drinker, 27 January 2020.
Secret Drinker reviews Ye Olde Chequers Inn, Tonbridge.
Perfectly placed, just up from the river, I discovered this incredible
14th century pub, complete with beams and a hangman’s noose, backing
straight onto Tonbridge Castle.
The bar was quiet, just half a dozen locals surrounding it on high
stools, but I received a warm welcome from both them and the cheery
barmaid in Ye Olde Chequers Inn.
There wasn’t a huge selection of beers - just three on tap - so I took
the safe option with a Harvey’s Sussex Best – at 4% it cost me a pound
for each point. Well served and as tasty as always. Mrs SD’s large
sauvignon blanc (she only knows one size!) was just 20p more.
It’s a long bar with some impressively leaded windows looking out onto
the High Street – I turned right and we sat back to observe the regulars
in full flow.
At this point the landlord shouted ‘Play up Pompey’ before putting a fag
in his mouth and switching on all four TV screens to show Portsmouth v
Sunderland in the League 1 play-offs. Locals and landlord then began a
long conversation about TV shows, particularly Game of Thrones, and
didn’t look at the screens again. Probably as well given the success of
the Black Cats.
At any given time there were as many folk, including the landlord,
landlady and barmaid, in the smoker’s corridor as there were in the pub.
Smoking is taken seriously and those enjoying a fag get a great view of
the castle. The barmaid went out three times while I was in. There’s a
decent garden area with plenty of seating and colourful hanging baskets.
The whole place, inside and out, looks as if it has had a makeover
recently and is pretty well furnished – though personally I’d lose the
old gas fire and avoid the fairly lights on sticks in the ceiling.
There are two fruit machines, a jukebox and a regular karaoke slot for
willing participants.
The gents, with trendy bevelled tiles roof to floor was fresh and sweet
smelling, complete with a pot plant and air freshener. Actually they
smelt better than the slightly smoky bar.
But, the joy of this place isn’t in the furnishings, the quality of the
beer (which was fine) or even the aroma, it’s in the banter around the
bar.
Landlord John takes pleasure in insulting all his locals equally at
great length - the level of effing and jeffing achieved in his favourite
pastime is astonishing.
According to his regulars the affable landlord saves his hospitable side
for visitors who haven’t got to know him yet – I assume he warmed to me
as he disappeared upstairs to shower, shave and don a salmon pink
pullover in super quick time before returning to chat.
We exchanged pleasantries and I headed back onto the High Street.
DECOR ★★★
DRINK ★★
PRICE ★★★
ATMOSPHERE ★★★★
STAFF ★★★★ |
LICENSEE LIST
BATCHELOR William 1828+
POPELL James 1832+
SLATTER Edward 1840+
WEBB Francis 1851+ (age 28 in 1851)
JOY Henry 1861-62+ (age 41 in 1861)
SIMES Jesse to Sept/1865
BIRCH Thomas Sept/1865+
BIRCH Mrs to Sept/1870
SEARLE John Sept/1870+
CLARK William to Feb/1877
LONGLEY William Feb/1877+
BUGDEN Henry 1881+ (age 56 in 1881)
WRIGHT George 1891-1903+
WRIGHT Gage Edward 1903+
PASKINS Frank 1908+
CANTLE A J 1913+
CANTLE Joseph Alfred 1918+
CANTLE Alfred Reuben 1922-Aug/23
CANTLE Claud Victor John (brother) Aug/1923-30+
YATES John W 1938+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/YeOldeChequers.shtml
http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/chequers.html
From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29
From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
Kent
and Sussex Courier
Census
Sussex Advertiser
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