BELLEVUE INN Pubs of Pegwell Bay

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Sunday, 13 October, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1700s

Belle Vue Inn

Open 2024+

Pegwell Road

East Cliff/Pegwell

Ramsgate

01843 593991

https://www.thebellevuetavern.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/bell

Above print from the late 1700s.

Above photo showing the tea gardens, date unknown.

Above postcard kindly sent by Paul Wells, who says the pub is the building on the left of the picture. Opposite that, and underneath "Banger's" sign is situated the "Pear Tree Inn."

Above photo showing the garden circa 1900.

Above postcard, circa 1904, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo taken with permission from Saunders family web.

Above photo 2010 by Oast House Archives Creative Commons Licence.

Above sign 2010.

Above photo, September 2015, kindly taken and sent by Doug Pratt.

The "Belle Vue Tavern" can be traced back to the early 18th century, when smuggling tunnels linked the pub to cottages across the road. "Big Jim", the village blacksmith, led the Pegwell gang. It's said that a former gardener at the tavern drowned on one of his nocturnal "runs" to recover contraband from the moonlit bay, which was cached in the cellars of the tavern.

By the beginning of the 19th century, the inn was receiving the patronage of royalty. In 1830, the Duchess of Kent and her daughter Princess Victoria visited the pub and its renowned tea gardens, sampling the local shrimps offered by "mine host" John Cramp, who received the royal appointment as "Purveyor of Essence of Shrimps in ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen".

The pub now advertises its back garden as "The Balcony of Kent," offering sea views across the channel.

Above image, by Peter Rider, April 2015, showing the balcony area.

Above photo August 2024, kindly sent by Michael Harris.

Above photo August 2024, kindly sent by Michael Harris.

Kentish Gazette, 21 September, 1792.

"Belle Vue," Pegwell Bay.

Richard Adams returns his most grateful thanks to the Nobility and Gentry for their encouragement on Tuesday last, and humbly hopes for a continuance of their favours.

He also begs leave to inform the public, the prize went in favour of the Deal seamen, but, not withstanding, the Ramsgate seamen think themselves able to beat them on a second trial.

A match is made for Saturday next, the 22nd instant, for 25 guineas each side.

Five men are allowed to each boat, and to go the same distance as on Tuesday last. To start at 4 o'clock precisely.

Admittance in the Rooms and Gardens, 1s. 6d. each, coffee and tea included.

From the Kentish Gazette, 16 March 1810.

BELLE VUE TAVERN, PEGWELL BAY, NEAR RAMSGATE.

A Comfortable Living now offers.

To be LET, and entered on immediately, that well known House the BELLE VUE TAVERN and TEA GARDEN, Pegwell Bay, near Ramsgate, so much frequented by the gentry resorting to the admired Watering Places of Margate, Ramsgate, and Broadstairs, during the Summer Season.

The prospect is picturesque, commanding an extensive and delightful view of the Downs, East Kent, and French Const, &c. &c. and truly desirable.

N. B. The present proprietor has kept the above house these ten years past, and the only reason for his leaving it is, that he is going to undertake a larger concern.

None but personal applications will be attended to.

Kentish Gazette 3 April 1810.

BELLE VUE TAVERN, PEGWELL BAY, NEAR RAMSGATE.

Eramus Sympson returns his most sincere thanks to the Inhabitants of the Isle of Thanet for the many favours he has received during the time of his keeping the above house; and most respectfully informs them, that he has lately taken the old-established house, the "Hoop and Griffin," Deal: where he hopes, by strict attention to business, to merit a continuance of their future favours.

Kentish Gazette, 1 May, 1821.

BELLE VUE TAVERN, Pegwell, Near Ramsgate.

WILLIAM COLE begs leave most respectfully to inform the Nobility, Gentry, Visitors, and Inhabitants of Ramsgate, Margate, and the Isle of Thanet in general, that he has taken the above Tavern, and trusts by assiduous attention and moderate charges to merit the support of a generous public.

P.S. — W. C. begs to leave to return his most grateful thanks for the support he has received from his friends, when in the public line at Ramsgate; and a continuance of their support will be ever gratefully acknowledged.

From the Kentish Gazette 18 December 1838.

An inquest was held before Mr. T. T. DeLasaux, coroner, yesterday week, at the "Belle Vue Tavern," Pegwell Bay, upon the body of Charles Paine, wagoner, to Mr. Pett, of Minster, who was unfortunately killed on the preceding Saturday. It appears the deceased accompanied by his mate, was returning with the wagon from Ramsgate, and had reached Chilton, when turning the corner, one of the horses trod upon the foot of the deceased, and he getting at the same time entangled in the harness, was thrown down, and the near wheels passed over his head, causing instant death.

Verdict. "Accidental Death."

From the Kentish Gazette, 8 March 1842.

Free Sea-side Tavern, with a valuable Fish Sauce and Potting Business.

BELLE VUE TAVERN, PEGWELL BAY. TO BE DISPOSED OF, THE above long-established and most respectably connected TAVERN, possessing many advantages, and now in full trade (which from its locality of situation will always command), together with Two FREEHOLD COTTAGES and Garden, with the privilege of Stands for Fishing in Pegwell Bay; also a valuable FISH SAUCE and POTTING BUSINESS annexed thereto, which can be carried on with the Tavern or separately, the Proprietor joining in a larger business. Term of lease unexpired, Four and a half years. Immediate Possession may be had.

Apply to John S. Cramp, as above.

From the Kentish Gazette, 8 August 1848.

BELLE VUE TAVERN, PEGWELL BAY, TO LET.

THIS well-known and long-established FREE INN and TAVERN to LET. Possession to be had at Michaelmas next.

For particulars apply to Mr. John S. Cramp, Liverpool Terrace, Ramsgate.

From South Eastern Gazette 27 June 1854.

FOR SALE BY PRIVATE CONTRACT.

A FREE PUBLIC-HOUSE, situate at Pegwell Bay, one of the most picturesque spots in the Isle of Thanet, with public tea gardens and appropriate stabling attached, in the occupation of Mr. Tatnell.

From Dover Express 17 September 1864.

A special petty session was held at Ramsgate on Monday for the granting and renewal of public house licenses. All the existing licenses were renewed, but an application, by Mr. Tatnell, for a spirit licence for a house at Pegwell Bay was refused. It appears that there are already two public houses in Pegwell Bay and only nine private houses.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 6 April, 1867. Price 1d.

SHOCKING DEATH BY FALLING FROM THE WEST CLIFF.

On Friday afternoon, an inquest (before Mr. Delasaux. of Canterbury, and a jury, of which Mr. J. F. Hone was the foreman) was held at the “Belle Vue Inn,” Pegwell, on the body of Mr. Joseph C. Waugh, an independent gentleman, aged 52 years, whose death took place the previous day, under the circumstances detailed in the annexed evidence:—The first witness called was the Rev. J. Scott Whiting, of Stovington Rectory, Sussex, who said: I have viewed the body of the deceived and identify it as that of J. C. Waugh, of 12, Royal Crescent, Ramsgate. I don't remember seeing him for the last six months. I was staying with him on the cliff in July last.

William Marsh, of Boundary-place, St. Lawrence, said:- Yesterday morning at about 20 minutes past 8, I was proceeding from Ramsgate to Mr. Warre's, towards spot where the body was found, and did not see the deceased, who was unknown to me. I don't know how he came there.

Arthur John Stock, a lad, residing in Ramsgate, and 12 years old. said:- Yesterday morning, at a little past eight o'clock, I was on the Cliff, near Pegwell Bay. I saw the deceased, who was behind me, as I was sitting near Mr. Warre's house. He was close to the edge of the Cliff; but, on turning my head, he was gone. Between the time of my first seeing him and my missing him (about five minutes) no one had any time to go to him. He was walking slowly when I saw him. I then went to the edge of the Cliff, but could not see him. There was a mark on the edge, as if he had sat down, and then slipped. I did not observe him sitting down, or doing anything but walk; he had his dog with him; but I did not see him playing with it. It was near the edge of the cliff. He was walking when I last saw him.

P.C. Dabson, K.C.C. deposed. In consequence of information I received yesterday morning, I went under the West Cliff at a little before ten, and then saw the deceased. He was quite dead. I first searched his pockets, and then had him removed to the “Belle Vue,” Pegwell. I found a silk pocket handkerchief in his pocket, one penny, and two or three pieces of paper. I then went to the top of the cliff and, at the spot where he must have fallen over, I saw the toe-mark of a shoe, at the edge of the cliff, and about 3ft. therefrom, I saw a mark as if his shoulder had struck the ground. I measured the distance from the path to the edge of the cliff, and found it to be 8 feet. I did not see the dog. I thought, judging from the marks, that the deceased had accidentally fallen over. If he had thrown himself over, the marks would not hare been caused. The top of the hill, for a distance of half-a-mile, is about 70 or 80 feet from the beach below.

Mr. R. Hicks, practising in Ramsgate, said: Mr. Waugh's son came to me at about 9 o'clock yesterday morning to see some one who had fallen over the cliff. I saw the deceased at the base, and he was quite dead, but his body was warm. I examined the body then and also when he was brought here. I found a dislocation with fracture of the lower cervical vertebra; and he had broken the whole of his right ribs into small pieces. These injuries were the cause of his death. I could not tell, from his position, whether he fell or jumped from the cliff; but on seeing the marks alluded to by the constable, I concluded that he had fallen accidentally. I had not known the deceased during his life-time.

The Coroner, in summing up, said there could not be the slightest doubt that the deceased met with his death accidentally, and the jury immediately returned a verdict accordingly.

Thanet Advertiser, Saturday 16 December 1882.

Charlotte Hill (Deceased.)

Notice is hereby given that all creditors and other persons having any debt or claim upon, or affecting the state of Charlotte Hill, of the "Belle Vue Tavern," Pegwell Bay, Isle of Thanet, in the county of Kent, Inn Keeper, Widow, who died on the 2nd day of September, 1882, and whose Will was proved in the Principal Registry of the Probate Division of the High Court of Justice, on the 14th of October, 1882, by Jane Carter and Caroline Carter both of the "Belle Vue Tavern," Pegwell Bay, aforesaid spinsters, the Executrixes thereof are hereby required to send in the particulars of their Claims to me, the undersigned, their Solicitor, on or before the 16th day of January, 1883, at the expiration of which time the said Executrixes will proceed to distribute the assets of the said Charlotte Hill, the testatrix, among the persons entitled, having regard to the debts and claims only of which the said executrixes shall then have had notice and the said executrixes will not be liable for the assets to distribute to any person of whom debt or claim shall not have had noticed at the time of such distribution.

Dated the 8th day of December, 1882.

Jaspeth Tickle,

3, Lawrence Lane, Cheapside, London, E.C.

Solicitors to the Executrixes of the said Charlotte Hill.

From the https://theisleofthanetnews.com By Kathy Bailes, 21 June 2017.

The Belle Vue Tavern in Pegwell has been named as Pub of the Year.

The Belle Vue Tavern in Pegwell Bay has been named Pub of the Year at the annual Shepherd Neame Pub Awards.

Judges praised licensees Tony and Shirley Pearson for the way they have transformed the business over the last seven years, developing its famous beer garden and popular live music programme.

Jonathan Neame, chief executive of Shepherd Neame, said: “Tony and Shirley have done a tremendous job at the Belle Vue, constantly investing time and effort and never resting on their laurels.

Shirley and Tony Pearson with Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame (centre)

“The Belle Vue is a truly great pub in a stunning location and this reward is richly deserved.”

Speaking after the win, Tony said: “I’m gobsmacked! When I told my mum I was leaving my job in a bank to run a pub she thought I was mad. This makes all our hard work worthwhile.

“We wouldn’t have got where we are today without such a strong partnership with Shepherd Neame. We’ve come together to invest time, effort and money in making this a great pub and I’m over the moon.”

The award was announced at a ceremony at the "Conningbrook Hotel," Ashford on June 20, where the Belle Vue was one of the 13 recipients from among Shepherd Neame’s 328 pubs and hotels.

The Belle Vue Tavern has a wealth of history dating back to the early 18th century, when smuggling tunnels linked the pub to cottages across the road. “Big Jim”, the village blacksmith, led the Pegwell gang. It’s said that a former gardener at the tavern drowned on one of his nocturnal “runs” to recover contraband from the moonlit bay, which was cached in the cellars of the tavern.

By the beginning of the 19th century, the inn was receiving the patronage of royalty. In 1830, the Duchess of Kent and her daughter Princess Victoria visited the pub and its renowned tea gardens, sampling the local shrimps offered by “mine host” John Cramp, who received the royal appointment as “Purveyor of Essence of Shrimps in ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen”.

From the https://theisleofthanetnews.com By Kathy Bailes, 23 March 2020.

Cliftonville pub boss suspected to have coronavirus as Kent and Medway number testing positive rises to 79.

The landlady of a Cliftonville pub has notified her customers that her husband has suspected coronavirus.

Sharron Cove, who runs The Bell Vue Tavern in Cliftonville posted to facebook, to say husband Steve tested positive yesterday (March 22).

The pair closed the pub in line with government guidance on Friday (March 20) but a positive diagnosis indicates that all customers who have recently been in the pub should self isolate.

In a social media message Sharron said: “For all my customers, Steve tested positive to covid-19 yesterday.

“It’s bearable during the day as the air is lighter but at night the coughing, the struggling to breathe, is heart wrenching, watching someone you love suffering.

“Do please friends keep your two meter distance. It’s a horrible disease.”

In a later update this evening she said the diagnosis was via 111 and not a test. She added: “He has not had the test as that is not available at this stage but has been told by NHS that he has the virus. He is improving so not a bad case but the breathing is affected and it is not nice, the cough is harrowing but he is not bedridden and is up and about.”

Post Office Directory 1874 mentions this pub as being in Pegwell Bay.

LICENSEE LIST

ADAMS Richard 1792+

SYMPSON Erasmus to Apr/1810