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111 Old Dover Road
Capel-Le-Ferne
01303 254080
www.thelighthouse-inn.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com
https://whatpub.com/lighthouse-inn
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Above photographs by Paul Skelton 15 Sept
2007 |
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Above photo of Capel Court 2000 by kind permission Lighthouse. |
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Above photo of Capel Court 1930 by kind permission Lighthouse. |
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Above photo 2019. |
Information below from a plaque at the Lighthouse Inn.
History of The Lighthouse Inn and Restaurant.
In 1840 The Lighthouse Inn, as it is known today, was in two parts,
Vineyard Lodge, which was used as a wine and ale house, and Capel Lodge
where travellers would rest during their journey.
An agricultural labourer, his wife and four daughters owned the property
in 1851. They renamed the two buildings "New Vine House" and "Old Vine
House".
In 1870 Baptist Minister Thomas Briggs lived here with his wife, six
children and three servants. He renamed it Capel Lodge. John Marsh, an
agricultural labourer, and wife Elizabeth, together with granddaughter Alice
Dawkins, occupied the other building.
By 1855 a new wing was added. This may have been the time that the two
buildings were joined together. The bungalow, which stands in the car park,
was also built at this time, possibly to serve as a gatehouse. We know that
it was later used as a billiard hall.
In 1887 Dr Norton and his wife ran it as a convalescing home. His wife
was the sister of Emma, who was the wife of Mr. Fred Weston who bought a
piece of land on the cliff edge directly in front of Capel Lodge at the turn
of the century. He built a house there called Eagles Nest, which slid,
intact, into the Warren during the night of the biggest recorded landslip in
December 1915.
After the war it was owned by Dr. Martin who ran it as a home for
psychiatric patients. Miss Veronica Huthwaite ran the other part of the
building as a small hotel with a riding stable.
In 1967 extensive renovations took place and ownership changed to Mrs.
Laxton together with her daughter and son-in-law, Pat Hollis. They ran it as
Capel Court Country Club. They also had caravans to let. Jean and Harry Dunn
owned a caravan here and decided to buy Capel Court in 1975. They also ran
it as a Country Club.
In 1985, a Mr and Mrs. Dudley arrived. They continued to run it as a
Country Club. The Channel Tunnel workers, formally known as the "Channel
Tunnel Tigers" were based here during the building of the tunnel.
In February 1998 the Hinton family bought Capel Court and, after six
months refurbishment, open on August 10th 1998 under the new name "The
Lighthouse".
In July 2005 The Lighthouse was taken over by Mr. Alan Bowles, owner of
London and Edinburgh Inns and Swallow Hotels. It is being run by Bob and
Alison Tappenden. A few changes have been made but only for the better.
Many thanks to the owners for allowing me to use the above information.
As of late 2010 the pub unfortunately closed, but I have been informed
November 2011 that the Fore Sale sign has been removed, so here's hoping
it's about to open again.
Just been informed (10 December 2011) that the premises is currently
undergoing renovations and should be open again by Easter 2012.
Glad to say they opened for business again on 29 June 2012.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 9 August, 2012. 65p. Report by Phil Hayes
THERE'LL BE A WELCOME IN THE LIGHTHOUSE INN.
Mother and son bring Welsh flavour to reopened pub.
THE voice of the Valleys is ringing clear in Capel as a Welsh
former-opera singer and her son have reopened a once popular pub.
Mair Rees-Davies, 62, has bought the "Lighthouse Inn" in Old Dover Road
with 25-year-old Steven, who runs the business. It is attracting hordes
of their fellow countrymen.
Diverse
Neville Southall and other Welsh members of the community have visited
the pub since its doors reopened in June after being shut for two
years.
The "Lighthouse Inn" now offers en-suite rooms, culturally diverse cuisine
and a site for weddings following the family's renovation of the
run-down property, which began in October last year.
Mrs Rees-Davies, who has appeared in Eastenders and Casualty and
graduated from the Royal College of Opera, said she hoped to set up a
gathering once a month for people from Wales who have moved to the area.
She added: “I happened to be in Dover one day and I overheard these
Welsh people. We said why don't we start our own Welsh society?”
Mrs Rees-Davies said she hopes
to put her theatre skills to good use and host Spanish nights, spaghetti
operas - where Italian food is accompanied by sopranos and baritones -
and other themed events.
“I decided, because I have done a lot of production, I wanted a place in
the country where really I could extend my career putting on things like
weddings,” she said.
Mrs Rees-Davies said she and her son have received a friendly welcome from the locals but admitted
that for former DJ Steven “it's a bit of a shock to the system, but he
loves it”.
Mr Rees said of his previous occupation: “I used to run a night in
Brighton that was more commercial dance remixes.
Other nights were more funky-house or underground stuff.”
Experience
Mr Rees has previously managed a bar but this is his first experience as
head of a project like the "Lighthouse Inn."
He said: “We've opened it up and made it bright and airy Everyone who
used to come before is very pleased with what we've done.
We'll have nine en-suite rooms eventually.
“The food we are serving is going down really well. It's all home-made
and fresh.”
The "Lighthouse Inn" serves traditional pub grub at lunchtime, while Thai
food and steaks delivered from Wales are on the evening menu. Rooms are
available from £75 a night.
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From the Dover Express, Thursday, 1st August, 2013. 70p.
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From an email received 25 February 2016.
My uncle and aunt lived at 100 New Dover Road, Capel-le-Ferne from 1930 to circa 1985. They said that
during the Second World War, a U.S. Army anti-aircraft gun battery was
placed next to the Lighthouse/Capel Court, and I remember the field on the
Dover side of the building was often referred to during the 1950’s as
“American Battery”.
Alan Knight, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. |
According to their Facebook page the pub permanently closed on the 1st
July 2019 and is unlikely to reopen as it is rumoured that the plot of land
is going to be redeveloped into luxury apartments. Currently (Aug 2019) for
sale at a mere £500,000.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sam Williams, 2 July 2019.
The Lighthouse Inn in Capel-le-Ferne near Folkestone, closes suddenly.
Customers have been left reeling following news a popular village pub has closed suddenly.
The Lighthouse Inn, in Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone, ceased trading
yesterday.
A post on their Facebook page from yesterday reads: "We regret to inform
you as of today The Lighthouse Inn in now permanently closed.
It is understood the pub, which served food and also had hotel rooms,
closed following a dispute with the landlord.
A second post on Facebook, shared to the Capel le Ferne Parish Council's
page, explains: "Over the past 18 months landlords have been trying
to gain possession of the property.
"As from midday tomorrow there will be 24 hour on site security and
concrete bollards at the entrance.
"We have thoroughly enjoyed our seven years here, have made friends and
will have happy memories of The lighthouse.
"We would like to thank yourself and the villagers for your loyalty and
support over the years."
The Lighthouse Inn has closed.
The bar and restaurant is also listed as "permanently closed" when
searched on Google.
Customers have been left very upset over the news.
One commented: "It’s a sad day for Capel and surrounding areas, least of
all for all those at The Lighthouse.
"Good luck to you all and thanks for making it a great local facility."
Another said: "Oh man. I wish I had know this sooner my little girl
loves the food here and has been asking to go for weeks but have not had
time to pop in. So so sad."
One comment said: "Such sad news.. Love this place."
It is not known what will happen to the site now.
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From the Dover Mercury, Wednesday 4 September, 2019.
Ex-pub on the market for £500,000.
A popular former pub which closed suddenly has gone on the market for
half a million pounds.
The Lighthouse Inn at Capel Le Ferne, between Folkestone and Dover,
stopped trading at the beginning of July following a reported dispute
with the landlord.
Now, the building, which boasts views over the English Channel, has gone
on the market for £500,000, plus VAT.
It includes a bar with 50 covers, a restaurant with 40 covers, as well
as eight letting bedrooms,
six of which are en suite.
There is also a garden, accommodation space for both staff and owners
and extensive parking space.
'This is a unique location and leisure opportunity and could
potentially be converted into an outstanding wedding venue'.
The listing states: “The Lighthouse Inn is very well placed to capture
both local and international business and leisure trade and there are
still many people from all over the world attempting to swim the Channel
from Dover every summer.”
Simon Bland, of Fleurets, is dealing with the sale and said: “The
property is well situated
with fantastic road, train and ferry transport links.
“This is a truly unique location and leisure opportunity and could
potentially be converted in an outstanding wedding venue.”
Many customers were left upset when the pub closed its doors last month.
A post on Facebook from the managers after the closure said: “Over the
past 18 months landlords have been trying to gain possession of the
property.
“As from midday tomorrow there will be 24 hour on site security and
concrete bollards at the entrance.
“We have thoroughly enjoyed our seven years here, have made friends and
will have happy memories of The Lighthouse.” One customer commented:
“It’s a sad day for Capel and surrounding areas, least of all for all
those at The Lighthouse. Good luck to you all and thanks for making it a
great local facility.”
Another said: “I wish I had known this sooner my little girl loves the
food here and has been asking to go for weeks but have not had time to
pop in. So, so sad.”
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sam Williams, 30 August 2019.
Lighthouse Inn at Capel Le Ferne goes on sale for £500,000.
A former popular village pub which closed suddenly has gone on the
market for half a million pounds.
The Lighthouse Inn at Capel Le Ferne, between Folkestone and Dover,
stopped trading at the beginning of July following a reported dispute
with the landlord.
A post on Facebook from the managers after the closure said: "Over the
past 18 months landlords have been trying to gain possession of the
property.
The Lighthouse Inn. Picture Fleurets.
"As from midday tomorrow there will be 24 hour on site security and
concrete bollards at the entrance.
"We have thoroughly enjoyed our seven years here, have made friends and
will have happy memories of The Lighthouse."
Now, the building, which boasts views over the English Channel, has gone
on the market for £500,000, plus VAT.
It includes a bar with 50 covers, a restaurant with 40 covers, as well
as eight letting bedrooms, six of which are en suite.
The pub boasts ample parking, a bar, restaurant and eight rooms. Picture
Fleurets.
There is also a garden, accommodation space for both staff and owners
and extensive parking space.
The listing states: "The Lighthouse Inn is very well placed to capture
both local and international business and leisure trade and there are
still many people from all over the world attempting to swim the Channel
from Dover every summer."
Simon Bland, of Fleurets, is dealing with the sale and said: "The
property is well situated with fantastic road, train and ferry transport
links.
"This is a truly unique location and leisure opportunity and could
potentially be converted in an outstanding wedding venue."
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Brad Harper, 2 October 2023.
‘Abandoned pub near Folkestone is an eyesore - it’s crumbling into next
door’s garden!’
A question mark hangs over the future of a once renowned pub where the
sound of opera rang out across the English Channel.
Situated on Capel-le-Ferne’s cliffs with views of France, The Lighthouse
Inn for years enjoyed a booming trade and lively singing festivals in a
breathtaking setting.
A car park wall at The Lighthouse Inn, Capel-le-Ferne.
But now, the once-striking 1840s building on Old Dover Road near
Folkestone is visibly crumbling, having been left to the mercy of high
winds, since shutting unexpectedly in 2019.
Villagers and former customers are intensifying their calls for the
“eyesore” to be returned to its former glory as a community asset.
It is understood the business, which served food and also had hotel
rooms, closed following a dispute with the landlord.
Explaining residents are keen to see the spot reopen, Rachel Garrett,
who has lived in the village for 20 years, said: “It used to be a really
nice place to go because it was a family place you could take your kids
to and it had nice gardens you could sit in.
“The previous owners had a Thai chef there and it was great because it
was always somewhere nice you could go to where you would see the
neighbours, socialise and have some really good food.
“But then they upped their game and started doing things like opera
evenings, which I am not sure was something the village wanted.”
She says if money was not an issue, she would revamp it and open it as a
family pub again with holiday lets.
“People always wanted to visit here as it is beautiful,” the 54-year-old
added.
“It is a real shame and I always thought we could have an internal gym
with instructors who come to look after our ageing population, which I
think would be a great facility.
“It is an absolute eyesore and it needs some really good investment as
our concern is it could be ripped down and turned into housing.”
The Lighthouse Inn was in two parts in 1840 - the Vineyard Lodge, which
was used as a wine and ale house, and Capel Lodge, where travellers
would rest, according to archives.
Over the years, it had various names and was run as a home for
psychiatric patients, a convalescing home and a country club.
But in February 1998, it was refurbished and opened under the new name
of The Lighthouse.
Now, the site is a sad state of affairs, with weeds growing in the
garden and car park, paintwork left untreated and signage removed from
the building.
A wall has even collapsed into a neighbouring garden and the entrance
warns passersby to ‘keep out’.
Resident Martin Ingrouille, who has lived in the village for six years,
says someone should be able to make a success of it as it is “such a
prime spot”.
“It used to be a nice place to go, to it outside and look over the
Channel,” the 67-year-old said.
“It was one of the main facilities in the village.
“They did good meals and it was quite busy. I think it is a loss for the
village as there are two other pubs at either end, but it has been empty
for ages.
“It is gradually declining and becoming more unloved.”
Adair Lewis, 77, says the pub was dog-friendly and the Sunday carvery
“used to be excellent”.
The Lighthouse Inn based in Capel-le-Ferne.
“There was good food, company and family running it,” he said.
“We went there one Sunday for our dinner to watch the air show. But I
went back a couple of days later for a drink and they said they had
closed.
“It seemed it came as a shock to the couple running it.
“It is a bit of a wreck now but any building that is left like that for
years will be.”
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, says it used to be an
“active place”.
The garden based at the Lighthouse Inn.
“The people working on the Channel Tunnel used to come and stay up there
and it had a noisy reputation,” they said.
“Then they had two good chefs, they did good meals and it was well-run
as a hotel and restaurant.
“Things are just falling to bits and it is very sad.
“Nothing has been done and it is slowly getting into disrepair.”
A wall has collapsed into a garden at the Lighthouse Inn based in
Capel-le-Ferne.
The Lighthouse Inn, in Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone, announced its
closure in July 2019 with a Facebook post saying: "We would like to
thank all our customers through the years.":
"We regret to inform you as of today The Lighthouse Inn is now
permanently closed.”
It is understood the pub, which served food and also had hotel rooms,
closed following a dispute with the landlord.
A second post on Facebook, shared to the Capel le Ferne Parish Council's
page, explained: "Over the past 18 months landlords have have been
trying to gain possession of the property.
"As from midday tomorrow there will be 24 hour on site security and
concrete bollards at the entrance.
Signs warn people to keep out of the Lighthouse in Capel-le-Ferne.
"We have thoroughly enjoyed our seven years here, have made friends and
will have happy memories of The lighthouse.
"We would like to thank yourself and the villagers for your loyalty and
support over the years."
This week, a spokesperson for Capel Le Ferne Parish Council says it has
contacted the owner by letter and says there is “nothing else we can
do”.
“It is deteriorating and there has been some work there but not anything
to be able to sell it or open it to what it was initially which was a
lovely restaurant and pub,” they said.
“Many of the residents feel very sad that it has been left in a state of
despair.
“One appreciates we had the pandemic and that didn’t help but that is
done and dusted now.”
Efforts were made to contact the owner for comment.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Oliver Leonard, 4 March 2024.
Abandoned former Lighthouse Inn in Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone for sale at auction.
A pub which has been left abandoned since 2019 could be knocked down or
turned into flats.
The former Lighthouse Inn in Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone, is due to
go under the hammer at auction with Clive Emson later this month.
The Lighthouse Inn in Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone, is up for auction
with Clive Emson. Picture: Clive Emson
It is understood the pub, which served food and also had hotel rooms,
closed following a dispute with the landlord.
The former public house with “uninterrupted sea views” is being offered
with a freehold guide price in excess of £600,000.
It is set to be bid on at auction on Wednesday, March 20.
The auctioneer for the site, Kevin Gilbert, said the building could be
redeveloped as apartments or new homes or demolished entirely.
“This large property with wonderful sea views now requires improvement,”
he said.
“It might be converted into flats or knocked down and totally
redeveloped, as long as all necessary consents are obtainable.
“It was a popular pub when it closed and many people locally will be
interested in what happens to it.”
In 1840 The Lighthouse Inn, as it is known today, was in two parts,
Vineyard Lodge, which was used as a wine and ale house, and Capel Lodge
where travellers would rest during their journey.
Over the years, it had various names and was run as a home for
psychiatric patients, a convalescing home and a country club.
But in February 1998, it was refurbished and opened under the new name
of The Lighthouse.
Now, the site is in a sad state of affairs with weeds growing in the
garden and car park, paintwork left untreated and signage removed from
the building.
In July 2019 the pub closed for good following a reported dispute with
the landlord.
The abandoned pub has a price guide of £600,000-plus. Picture: Clive Emson.
The building includes two cellars, function rooms and several en-suite
rooms on the first floor. Picture: Clive Emson
The pub closed in July, 2019. Picture: Clive Emson.
Two months later, the pub went on the market for £500,000.
The building includes two cellars, function rooms and several en-suite
rooms on the first floor and also has a garden area.
Last year, villagers were intensifying their calls for the “eyesore” to
be returned to its former glory as a community asset.
The Lighthouse Inn is set to be bid on at an auction on Wednesday, March
20. Picture: Clive Emson.
Resident Martin Ingrouille, who has lived in the village for seven
years, told KentOnline at the time he felt someone should be able to
make a success of it as it is “such a prime spot”.
Capel-le-Ferne Parish Council declined to comment about the building. |
LICENSEE LIST
HINTON 1998-2005
TAPPENDEN Bob and Alison 2005-Sept/10
KEMSLEY James, Carl & Edwina to June/2012
REES Stephen & REES-DAVIS Mair 29/June/2012+
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