PLOUGH Pub of Bromley

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Bromley, January, 2026.

Page Updated:- Friday, 30 January, 2026.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1830-

Plough

Closed 2000+

81 Bromley Common / 146-148 Hastings Road

(Turnpike Road 1851)

Bromley Common

https://whatpub.com/plough

Above photo, 1874.

Above postcard, date unknown.

Above photo 2016. Showing the building as the wine shop.

Above sign, 1986, kindly sent by Roger Pester.

Sign right, 2015 showing it as the Majestic Wine Warehouse.

Above sign, April 2002, kindly sent by Brian Curtis.

The pub closed its doors before 2000 and is now (2016) operating as a Majestic Wine Shop.

From South Eastern Gazette 2 March 1830.

MAIDSTONE. Tuesday, March 2, 1830. SUICIDE OF LIEUTENANT BASSAN.

Saturday morning an inquisition was taken before Joseph Carttar, Esq., the coroner for Kent, and a very respectable jury, at the "Plough Inn," Bromley-common, on the body of Lieut. Edward Bassan, of the Royal Marines, who put an end to his existence by hanging himself.

About half an hour before his death he wrote a letter, which was afterwards found in his pocket. The following is a copy:-

"My dear wife, - I have only time to say I shall suffer death for presuming to the crown of England, as it is stated by some evil-minded persons.

"I am, my dear wife, yours truly, "Edward Bassan" "Feb. 23."

It was stated that the deceased had for some years entertained an idea that he had some claim to the throne, in consequence of a dream he had whilst residing in Sheerness, some years back, and had represented himself as a particular and bosom friend of the late Lavalette, and nephew to the Duke of Bassano; and at the time the funeral of the former appeared in the newspapers, he expressed his determination to go into mourning. The deceased was 35 years of age.

The jury returned a verdict of Insanity.

South Eastern Gazette, 10 April, 1860. Bromley

Robbing a Publican.

James Whitehead, a sieve-maker of Bromley-common, was charged with stealing a quart pewter pot, value 1s. 6d., the property of John Smith, of the "Plough," on the 30th April. The prisoner, who stated that he was drunk, and that he bent the pot for a joke with another man and took it home to straighten it, was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions.

From the Bromley Record, May, 1860.

PETTY SESSIONS. April 2.

Pot Stealing.

Present:- C. L. Wilson, Esq. (chairman), C. Child, Esq., R. Boyd, Esq., G. W. Norman, Esq., and S. Long, Esq.

James Whitehead, a sieve maker, living at Bromley Common, was charged with stealing a pewter-pot, value 1s. 6d. the property of John Smith, of the "Plough Inn," on the 30th of March.

Prosecutor deposed that the prisoner came to his house for a pot of Beer, which he took away in this pot. Prosecutor’s son then followed him to his house, where he saw the prisoner try to secrete the pot by throwing it behind the door, he was at once given into custody, and the pot secured.

Prisoner pleaded that he was drunk, and that in a lark with another man he had bent the pot, and took it home to straighten it.

The Bench, however, disbelieved this; and as a former conviction was alleged against him, he was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions, when he was sentenced to four years penal servitude.

From the Bromley Record, April, 1861.

J. DIVERS, WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANT, "Plough Inn," Bromley-common.

FAMILIES and Pleasure Parties accommodated at moderate charges. Pleasure grounds, bowling green and good stabling. Choice old wines and spirits. Omnibuses to and from the Railway Station.

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Saturday 26 June 1869.

Extraordinary charge of assault.

William Whitehead, Arthur Whitehead, and Charles Edmunds, was severely charged with assaulting William Wilson, on Sunday evening, 20th June, and also with damaging his coat.

Mr. Alsop appeared for the defendants.

Prosecutor stated he was a bricklayer, residing at Masons Hill, Bromley. On Sunday evening, at 10 o'clock, he was at the "White Lion," Locksbottom, and met with defendants, and they had a dispute about some donkeys. He afterwards left them to go home.

On arriving at the "Plough Tavern," Bromley Common, he and his two friends went in and asked for some whisky, but as it was past 11 they were not served. His friends went on ahead, and he followed them. Shortly after William Whitehead overtook him, then turned around and whistled, and instantly "let drive at him" cutting his lip. The other defendants then came up, with several others not known, and they all pitched into him, tearing his coat completely in two.

Mr. Alsop cross-examined the complainant, setting up a defence that he had thrown a large flint stone at William Whitehead, and that he also took out a knife with the intention of stabbing him, at the same time cutting his thumb.

Prosecuted denied the statement, and called as a witness, Charles Julian, who said he resided at Bromley, and was in company
with his friend Wilson on the evening in question, and he could positively swear that his friend neither threw a stone nor had a knife with him. Witness also prove the assault as stated by prosecutor.

Joseph Whitmore, also residing at Bromley, who was present at the assault, identified William Whitehead as the first man who struck Wilson, and also identified the other two defendants as coming up after William Whitehead had whistled, both of them likewise striking the complainant. Complainants neither threw a stone or had a knife in his possession.

Mr. Alsop, on behalf of defendant, stated that on the previous evening, about 11:30, a great commotion was heard among some ducks in a pond belonging to Mr. Woodnough, proprietor of the "Plough Tavern." Mr. Woolnough jun., ran out and found the complainant Wilson lying down near the pond, and at the same time he saw a dog belonging to the complainant come out of the pond. He asked complainant what his intention was, and he instantly got up and walked away. Mr. Woolnough believing it was the intention of the complainant to steal his father's ducks called for assistance, and the defendant's instantly gave chase, and overtook complainant and his friends, which caused the disturbance in question.

Police constable J. Sims 23P, stated he was on duty at Bromley Common on the night in question, and heard a great disturbance. He went to the place where the row was and saw the defendant and complainant fighting. Defendant wanted to give plaintiff into custody for attempting to steal some ducks, but he used his own discretion and took defendants into custody for assaulting the complainant.

P.C. 376P., corroborated the last witness's statement, and said that he saw W. Whitehead on the top of the complainant, striking him, and the other defending, Arthur Whitehead, also came up and struck him while he was on the ground.

Mr. Walnut Woolnough was called for the defence, and stated that on the Sunday evening his uncle came in and said there was a dog in the pond after the ducks. He went out and saw the complainant lying down by the palings, about 5 yards from the pond. He asked complainant what he was doing, and he instantly jumped up and ran across the road. He called to the defendants, who at once gave chase, and that was the cause of the disturbance.

The court was then cleared, and on being reopened the chairman said the defendants stood convicted of assaulting a stranger from a distant County, who was in Bromley holding a respectable position; and it was fortunate for them that they had not individually accused the complainants of using a knife, for there was not the least evidence to prove such an accusation. William Whitehead would have to pay a fine of £1, 3 s. 4d. damages, and 3s. 2d. costs. Arthur Whitehead the same, and Edmunds, who was also present at the assault, 10s., with damages and costs.

Bromley & District Times, Friday 25 June 1897.

The Plough Tavern Bromley Common.

Proprietor H. J. Brook.

The most central Inn on the road, with spacious drawing up accommodation for riders and drivers. The surroundings are enjoyable, and it is within easy drives of the confined South Eastern District.

Every convenience for cyclists. Wines, spirits, ales, and cigars of the best brands.

Call once and you are certain to revisit.