DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Walmer, November, 2025.

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 26 November, 2025.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1797

King's Head

Latest 1837

(Name to)

Walmer Road

37 The Strand

Walmer

Former Queen's Head Hotel

Above picture taken from Google maps 2010.

 

Found in the Pigot's directory of 1840, alongside the "Kings Head," Deal and also "Kings Arms," Deal, so definitely another pub not to be confused with those others. Earliest known reference as the "King's Head" is documented in 1804 but the first licensee mentioned in 1797.

The pub was sold along with another 11 public houses in neighbouring villages in 1826 for the sum of £425. It is not yet known who sold the pub or who purchased it.

In 1837 the name changed to the "Queen's Head," while under the rule of Mary Ann Dawes, probably to commemorate Queen Victoria's ascension to the thrown on 20 June that same year.

 

From the Kentish Gazette, 7 June 1808.

Mr. Edward SMITH, Landlord, "King's Head" public house, Walmer, married 5 Jun to Miss GOODWIN.

 

Kentish Gazette, 5 September 1820.

On Sunday evening between eight and nine o’clock, a seaman belonging to the Coast Blockade Service, at Walmer, was recognized by one of the officers to go from the beach to the "King's Head" public-house, on the Walmer Road, and while calling for something to drink was taken into custody, and ordered to the barracks; it is conjectured that the fear of the punishment which would follow this breach of his orders, had such an effect upon his mind, that in about a quarter of an hour after his arrival in the Barracks, while sitting on his bed, he discharged a pistol into his mouth, which killed him instantly. On the following day an inquest was taken on the body, and the Jury found a verdict of felo de se. On Tuesday evening the body was conveyed in a cart, to a cross road at the south side of Walmer, where it was interred.

 

From the Kent Herald, 29 July 1824

Death.

July 18, Mr. J. Dawes, landlord of the King's Head, Walmer-road, leaving a wife and eleven children to lament the loss if a kind father, and indulgent husband.

 

From the Kent Herald, 19 January 1826.

Kent. Freehold and Leasehold Public Houses and other Estates.

At Word, Fingersham, Northbourne, Sutton (next Dover,) Eastry, Tilmanstone, Eythorne, Frogham, Womenswould, Addison, Barham, Woodnesborough, Goodnestone (next Wingham,) Ash (next Sandwich,) Shoulden, Walmer, Ramsgate, Margate, Sarr. St. Peter's, (Thanet) and Sandwich.

For sale by auction, by Pott and Denne.

At the "Bell Inn," in Sandwich, on Monday, the 13th day of February, 1826, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon precisely, (subject to such conditions and restrictions as will be then and there produced,) the following Freehold and Leasehold Public Houses and Estate's, in 27 lots, viz:-

Lot 1:- The "Crispin," public house, at Word.

Lot 2:- The "Jolly Gardener," ditto, at Finglesham, in the parish of Northbourne.

Lot 3:- The "Hound and Hare," ditto, at Northbourne.

Lot 4:- The "Star and Boot," ditto, at Sutton (next Dover.)

Lot 5:- The "Bull," ditto, at Eastry, with cottage adjoining.

Lot 6:- The "Three Colts," ditto, at Tilmanstone.

Lot 7:- The "White Horse," ditto, at Eythorne.

Lot 8:- The "Red Lion," ditto, at Frogham.

Lot 9:- The "Rose and Crown," ditto, at Woolwich Green, in the parish of Womanswould.

Lot 10:- The "Bull Head," ditto, at Adisham.

Lot 11:- The "Duke of Cumberland," ditto, at Barham.

Lot 12:- The "Charity," ditto, at Woodnesborough.

Lot 13:- The "Three Crowns," ditto, Goodnestone (next Wingham.)

Lot 14:- The "Admiral Harvey," ditto, at Ramsgate.

Lot 15:- The "Ship," ditto, at Ramsgate, with two small cottages at the back.

Lot 16:- The "Red Lion," ditto, at St. Peter's, (Thanet) with cottage adjoining.

Lot 17:- The "Crown and Thistle," ditto, at St. Peters, Thanet.

Lot 18:- The "Crown," ditto, at Sarr.

Lot 19:- The "King's Head," ditto, in Walmer Road.

Lot 20:- The "Duke of York," ditto, in Walmer Road.

Lot 21:- The "Chequers," ditto, in the Sandhill's, in the parish of Shoulden.

Lot 22:- The "Ship Inn," at Ash next Sandwich with extensive stabling, yard, Gardens, &c.

Lot 23:- A Dwelling House, near or adjoining the last lot, in the occupation of Mrs. Maria Green.

Lot 24:- Three Cottages, adjoining the last lot, with the gardens used theirwith, now in the several occupations of Vincent Noble Kennard, John Harrison, and Steven Solly.

Lot 25:- All that building and Hop Oast, next or adjoining the last lot now in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Minter Tomlin

Lot 26:- A Freehold Dwelling House, and Premises, in Church Square, Margate, in the occupation of William Dale.

Lot 27:- The "New Inn," in Sandwich, with Assembly Room, Theatre, Stables, Yards, &c.

N.B. Lots 19, 20, and 21, are leasehold, and all the others freehold.

The premises may be viewed on application to the respective tenants, and printed particulars had (seven days prior to the day of sale) of the auctioneers, and at the "Bell Inn," Sandwich; "Kings Head Hotel," Canterbury; "Antwerp Inn" Dover; "Black Horse Inn," Deal; "Spread Eagle Inn," Ramsgate; "York Hotel," Margate; of Mr. Benjamin Hall, Solicitor, No. 2, Serjeant's Inn, Fleet Street, London; and at the offices of Mr. Noakes, Solicitors, Sandwich.

 

Sussex Advertiser 20 February 1826.

At the sale of the public houses and other estates, situate in the eastern parts of the County of Kent, which took place at the "Bell Inn," Sandwich, on Monday last, Messrs. Pott and Denne knocked down the following lots, at the sums affixed to them, viz.:—

The "Bull," at Eastry, £1,190.

"Three Colts," Tilmanstone, £500.

"White Horse," Eythorne, £575.

"Red Lion," Frogham, £455.

"Rose and Crown," Womenswould, £166.

"Duke of Cumberland," Barham, £910.

"Charity," Woodnesborough, £710.

"Three Crowns," Goodnestone, £620.

"Admiral Harvey," Ramsgate, £1,150.

"Ship," Ramsgate, £1,250.

"Red Lion," St. Peters, £1,100.

"Crown and Thistle," St. Peters, £705.

"Crown, or Halfway-house," Sarr, £940.

"King's Head," Walmer Road, £425.

The "Duke of York," Walmer Road, £310.

The sale-room was most numerously attended.

We understand that the "Ship," at Ash, and "Crispin," at Worth, have since been sold by private contract, the former for £750, and the latter for five hundred guineas.

 

 

LICENSEE LIST

DAWES Richard 1776-1804 dec'd

CARTER Stephen 1797-99 The Old Pubs of Deal and Walmer by Glover and Rogers

SMITH Edward 1799-08+ The Old Pubs of Deal and Walmer by Glover and Rogers

DAWES William 1811-18/July/24 dec'd The Old Pubs of Deal and Walmer by Glover and Rogers

DAWES Ann Mary 1824-37 Next pub licensee had Pigot's Directory 1828-29Pigot's Directory 1832-34 (King's Head)

Name changed to "Queen's Head." DAWES to 47+ Pigot's Directory 1828-29Pigot's Directory 1832-34Pigot's Directory 1839Pigot's Directory 1840

 

Pigot's Directory 1828-29From the Pigot's Directory 1828-29

Pigot's Directory 1832-34From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34

Pigot's Directory 1839From the Pigot's Directory 1839

Pigot's Directory 1840From the Pigot's Directory 1840

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

TOP Valid CSS Valid XTHML