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St. Martin's Hill
Canterbury
Above picture taken from Google maps July 2009. |
Mill House Tavern signs July 1991.
Above with thanks from Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com |
Above Whitbread card, 1973 and series unknown. |
Above photo taken by Edward Wilmot in 1965. |
Opposite to the army barracks and built about the same time and was frequented by them.
The name of the
pub refers to the nearby windmill.
An entry in Fremlin's 1950s publication called "Where shall we go,"
indicated the following:- Phone number - Canterbury 5704. Parking
accommodation - 10 Coaches. Lunch - Snacks on Premises. Restaurant 200
yards. Tea - Snacks on Premises. Restaurant 200 yards. Remarks - Garden for
Children. bat and Trap lawn. Bar Billiard table. Piano available. 1/4 mile
from Golf Course. Facing "The Buffs" Barrocks.
The pub originally had 3 bars, and licensees Mr. and Mrs. Howard, in 1963
thought they may have been to cater for privates, NCOs and Officers
respectively. The third bar having disappeared during alterations just prior
to 1963.
It is said there used to be an older "Mill House" which stood next to the
road, nearly opposite the windmill.
The Inns of Canterbury by Edward Wilmot's,1988, mentions a document, date
circa 1945 that gives the description of clientele at the pub as being "Locals,
soldiers, some car traffic."
In April 2011 the premises was totally destroyed by fire.
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From the Kentish Gazette 1960.
Members of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada were introduced to the
ancient game of bat and trap when they join forces with The Buffs to
play against the "Mill House" team on Wednesday. The Canadians are
guests of The Buffs for the celebration of 50 years alliance between the
two regiments.
The visitors lost the match but thoroughly enjoyed their evening so much
that they are considering taking bat and trap back to Canada with them. |
Mill House, Canterbury - 1961. The article includes... Playing against
the formidable Post Ooffice Telephones team, the East Kent Road Car Company "B"
team won the Skam Cup for the second year running. The final was played
in a pleasant setting and with the weather being kind, the many
spectators settled down under the trees (with their drinks!) to watch
what promised to be a keen match. Choosing to bat first, the Post Office
were bowled out for a moderate score of 33 by some accurate East Kent
bowling. Only 6 batsmen were needed to knock these off, with Ray Keem
batting particularly well to get the last 15. In their second innings,
the Post Office fared even worse, being bowled out for a meagre 5. Jack
Hollingsbee completed a hat trick and the last three traps fell in
successive balls to Jock Hamilton, Ray Keem and Fred Hadlow. John Penny
and George Wren were the other main scorers for the victorious East Kent
team.
Rory Kehoe says:- The Charles Skam Cup is still (2021) competed for, by teams playing in
the Canterbury and District Bat and Trap League.
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From kentonline.co.uk 5 April 2011 Firefighters have
tackled a blaze at a disused pub in Canterbury.
The fire at the derelict building on Littlebourne Road broke out
1.30am this morning.
At its height around 20 firefighters and a height vehicle were needed
to bring the flames at the former Mill House Tavern on Littlebourne Road
under control.
The pub has been severely damaged but no injuries have been reported.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 5 April, 2011. by Joe Walker
A disused pub in Canterbury was completely destroyed after a fire ripped
through it in the early hours of this morning.
More than 30 fire-fighters were called into action when the Mill House
Tavern in St Martin's Hill went up in flames at 1.30am.
The pub – a former favourite of soldiers at Howe Barracks – was gutted
by the blaze, which spread through both floors and the roof.
Four crews and a specialist height vehicle helped tackle the flames,
which took more than two hours to put out.
It is not yet known what caused the fire, but crews confirmed no one was
hurt.
Amateur photographer Dave Topman raced to the scene at 2.30am after
receiving a call from his cabbie son.
He said: “He rang me and said the pub was on fire so I went down there.
The entire building was ablaze.
“Just moments after I started taking photos the roof collapsed. It
looked like the whole place was going to be gutted by the fire.”
The pub is set to be turned into a 78-bedroom nursing home by
Essex-based Runwood Homes.
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From the Dover Mercury, 7 April, 2011.
DERELICT PUB FIRE
FIREFIGHTERS from Dover were among those who tackled a blaze at a
disused pub in Canterbury early on Tuesday. The fire in the derelict
building on Littlebourne Road broke out 1.30am and Dover fire crews were
there until 4am.
The pub was severely damaged.
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Latest information (Jan 2014) tells me that the area has been cleared and
is awaiting redevelopment. If anyone can supply a photo that would be
appreciated.
LICENSEE LIST
STYLES Joseph 1881+ (age 36 in 1881 )
GEORGE Abraham 1891+ (age 63 in 1891)
BUSHELL Charles 1911+ (age 42 in 1911)
DAVY William Thomas (Bill) 1940s
HOWARD Mr & Mrs P 1963+
Inns of Canterbury
by Edward Wilmot, 1988
Census
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