CASTLE INN Pubs of Canterbury

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Canterbury, November, 2025.

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 26 November, 2025.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1783-

Castle Inn

Latest 1880

24 Castle Street / St. Mary Street

Canterbury

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo, October 2017, by Rory Kehoe.

Above map 1874 identified by Rory Kehoe.

Not to be confused for the "Castle Hotel" addressed about 200 yards from here at number 30-31 Castle Street.

The Canterbury Historical Association booklet on Castle Street says the following:- 24, Castle Street - Old-established inn, on the corner of Castle Street and St. Mary's Street which seems to have closed in the 1870s. In 1792 the licensee was Edward Minter. The current building is not the original "Castle Inn." In the 1920s the "Castle" became the location for the Castle Motor & Engineering Works.

Kentish Gazette, 12 April, 1783.

By Auction.

To be Let on Lease, the "Castle Alehouse", in Castle Street, Canterbury.

The auction will begin at the said house on Tuesday, the 15th instant, between 6 and 8 o'clock in the evening.

Kentish Gazette, 19 April 1803.

To be LETT AUCTION, By GEORGE HAMMOND,

On the premises, on Tuesday the 26th instant, April, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, for the term of 21 years from Michaelmas next, agreeable to conditions that will be then and then produced.

THE "GEORGE" PUBLIC-HOUSE, with out buildings and some fixtures, and a piece of land behind the same, now used as a tan yard, situate in the parish of Holy Cross Westgate Without.

And on the same day, at three o'clock in the afternoon, for the term of 21 years, from Lady Day, 1803, The "CASTLE" Public House on the premises, in Castle-street, in the city of Canterbury. Canterbury, 19th April, 1803.

From the Kent Herald, 7 October 1824.

John White and Thomas Sutton, of this city, were apprehended and lodged in gaol on Saturday night last, and yesterday were examined at the Guildhall, before his Worship, the Mayor, charged with breaking open a box, at the "Castle Inn," and stealing thereout a quantity of half-pence. They were fully committed for trial.

Kent Herald, 13 October 1825.

A distressing accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon. As a poor fellow named William Partis was assisting others to upload porter at the "Castle Inn," in this city, a butt which he was alone getting to the edge of the wagon towards the pulley, was, by a sudden pull, flung off its balance, and throwing the man on the pulley, came in contact with his leg, as it hung on the cross-iron, and crushed it in a manner too shocking to describe.

Partis received every assistance it was possible to render his distressing situation.

Mr. Scudamore, surgeon, came to his immediate aid, and after his leg had been bound up, he was conveyed to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, and although the poor fellow is suffering the most excruciating agony, we are happy to states that a hope exists he will not be obliged to suffer amputation.

From the Kent Herald, 18 May 1826.

Riot.

Windcheap Fair on Tuesday, was as usual, attended by great number of holiday folks, and some hundreds of the military stationed in this town. All passed off quietly until about 12 o'clock, when owing to a slight misunderstanding, which arose between a soldier of the 6th Carabineers, and the landlord of the "Castle" public house - the soldier would persist in intruding himself into the bar of the house, and impede business. He was given into custody, a scuffling ensued, and the soldier was rescued from the civil power by a number of his comrades, - who were joined by a party of the 8th Irish Hussars.

It happened very unfortunately that several of the soldiers had their sabres with them, and which with which they commenced a violent and brutal attack upon the unarmed people.

Alderman H. Cooper, who was passing at the time, seized one of the men, but was knocked down, as well several others, and we regret to say that four of the townsmen was severely cut and wounded by the swords of the military.

The watchmen and constables were assembled as soon as possible, but the soldiers succeeded in affecting their retreat to the barracks in Northgate, which they did in double quick time, swords in hand, and setting the civil power at defiance.

Alderman Cooper followed them into the Barracks, and gave the necessary information to the Guards, and several men were detained for being out late. Information was given in the morning to the Mayor, J. J. Peirce, Esq., who, with the Magistrates, assembled at the Guildhall to investigate the affair, and in which they received every assistant from Captain Phillips of the Carabineers, and Captain Knight of the Hussars, who paraded their main, for the purpose of having the offenders recognised. Three men belonging to the 6th were identified, and sworn to as being engaged in the riot, and after a long examination were held to bail to appear at the Sessions. Mr. William Cock, of this City, receive so dangerous a wound over his eye, that it is feared he will lose the sight of it, and he was so ill as not to be able to attend the examination.

Great part of the City was alarmed, as during their retreat, the military shouted "Fire," it is opposed to divert attention from them. The watchman sprung there rattles, and proceeded to raise various people connected with the Engines and Fire Offices. It is exceedingly fortunate that no lives were lost, for the military spared none who came in their way; one young man who has seized a poker for his protection, had it cut in two by a single blow from the sabre, while raised to protect his head. The hats of several were also cut through, to the no small danger of the wearers.

Though a number of the Hussars were engaged, we regret to say, that owing to the sudden attack and the confusion of the moment, none of that corps could be identified so as to be brought to justice.

We understand that a Court Martial will be held upon those who were out of the Barracks, and who will be punished for the Military offence, though they have escaped the civil power.

From the Kent Herald, 5 July 1827.

C. Sharp, "Castle Inn," Canterbury.

Remindful of the many favours received from a generous public during a period of nearly eight years that he has conducted the business of the above Inn, returns his grateful acknowledgement; and begs to acquaint his friends, that his house and premises have undergone a Very Extensive Alteration, and are fitted up in the most commodious manner, with additional Bed Rooms and Sitting Rooms, lock up Coach House and good Stabling, with every convenience suitable to the accommodation of Travellers, Commercial Gentleman, &c.

C.S. will continue to keep Stock of good Wines and Spirits, which he will vend at the lowest prices, which will be vend at the lowest prices. To his neighbouring friends, and a well-discerning public, he returns his sincere thanks for the many favours received in his extensive sale of London Porter, from the Brewery of Truman, Hanbury, and Co., and trusts, by a strict attention to that and every other branch of the Business, to continue to receive that liberal support he has hitherto experience.

Kentish Gazette 11th August 1835.

which reported "...the death of Mr T Ramsden (formerly landlord of the Castle Inn, in this city) on 2nd August 1835 in Church Lane, Canterbury, after a lingering illness..."

From the Kentish Gazette 9 January 1838.

MARRIAGE.

Jan 3, at St. Mildred's church, Canterbury, Mr. William Heard Hilliard, surgeon, of Bedford House, Tonbridge Wells, to Eliza Catherine, eldest daughter of Mr. C. Sharp, "Castle Inn," Canterbury.

From the Kentish Gazette 30 January 1838.

Inquests.

An inquest was held at the "Castle Tavern," Canterbury, on Wednesday week, before Mr. T. T. DeLasaux, coroner, on the body of John Bird, who came to his death under the following circumstances:—

The deceased had been labouring under a severe attack of the small-pox, which rendered him at times delirious; and in one of these fits he had cut his throat on the Monday preceding. He was immediately discovered, and the wound properly dressed by Mr. Rigden, who had attended him in his sickness, but after lingering till Wednesday he died, and Mr. Rigden being of opinion that although he wound not, in the event of the deceased being in perfect health, have caused his death, still, labouring under disease as he was, it accelerated it, the Jury returned the following verdict:-

"Natural death, while labouring under the small-pox, accelerated by loss of blood, he having cut his throat in a state of delirium."

From the Kentish Gazette, 16 July 1844.

C. SHARP, CASTLE INN, CANTERBURY,

BEGS to announce that on MONDAY, the 22d Inst., the PIECE of PLATE subscribed for by the Public to T. T. Delasaux, Esq., for his exertions in the cause of humanity, will be Presented to that Gentleman, when the attendance of the Subscribers is respectfully invited.

The Annual TRAP MATCH will on the occasion take place in the Pleasure Grounds, to commence at Three o’clock.

July 15, 1844.

South Eastern Gazette, 25 September, 1860.

DEATH.

On the 17th inst, at the "Castle Inn," Canterbury, Catherine, widow of the late Mr. Charles Sharp, aged 67 years, deeply lamented.

South Eastern Gazette, 11 December, 1860.

On Saturday evening T. T. Delasaux, the coroner for the city and borough, opened an inquiry upon the body, at the "Castle Inn," Castle-street, under the foremanship of Mr. Harry Good. Mr. T. W. Hall was present on behalf of the contractor (T. R. Crampton. Esq.)

The first witness called was Wm, Hardres, one of the bricklayers employed at the bridge, who stated that the deceased was removing some earth from behind one of the abutments, when about a waggon load of earth slipped, and knocking the deceased off, completely covered him up. In about six minutes he was extricated, but was then quite dead. Witness had worked on many such places, but never saw anything slip so quickly before. The earth was about 10ft. higher than the line, but no bricks were stacked on the top of it. No doubt the wet weather had something to do with the slipping of the earth.

James Clements, another bricklayer, gave similar testimony. He added, however, that it was very dangerous to leave the earth in the state in which it was at the time of the accident. It appeared dangerous to look at, but that circumstance was not mentioned before the accident, and perhaps it would never have been noticed if the accident had not happened.

By the Coroner:— If he had considered the earth particularly dangerous, he should not have continued at the work. The other side was quite as perpendicular as the one that had fallen, and that was still standing.

By the jury:— It was newly-cut earth, but no attempt had been made to shore it up. The earth was not undermined at all. It was about 16ft. from the top to the bottom, where the bricks were laid.

The surgeon, Mr. T. S. Cooper, spoke to being called to the deceased, who was quite dead when he saw him. The lower jaw was fractured, and other parts of the head injured. From the deceased’s appearance, and the evidence of the witnesses, he (the surgeon) was of opinion that the deceased died from suffocation.

The Coroner briefly drew the attention of the jury to the evidence, and pointed out to them that they could fairly come to the conclusion, that the deceased’s death was the result purely of accident. The jury accordingly returned a verdict of "Accidentally suffocated."

It was mentioned in the inquest room, that the deceased has left a wife and 7 children, and that only five days previous to his death he completed an assurance upon his life for £250, having prior to that held policies of assurance upon his life for about £500.

LICENSEE LIST

RAMSDEN T Mr pre 1835

SHARP Charles 1824-Sept/60 dec'd (age 60 in 1851)