DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 12 December, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1828-

White Horse

Closed July 2023

High Street

Cranbrook

01580 720727

http://www.whitehorsecranbrook.com/

https://whatpub.com/white-horse

White Horse 1913

Above photo, 1913, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

White Horse Cork Club 1923

Above postcard, showing the White Horse Cork Club members, 1923.

White Horse 2006

Above photos, 22 July 2006, taken by Eric Hartland.

White Horse 2009

Above photo 2009 by Oast House Archives Creative Commons Licence.

 

Southeastern Gazette, 10 May 1853.

CRANBROOK. Petty Sessions, Thursday. (Before C. T. Pattenson, Esq., chairman, T. L. Hodges,. Esq., the Rev. F. Barrow, the Rev. J. Deedes, G. R. Stevenson, Esq., and W. P. Croughton, Esq.)

Joseph Ransley landlord of the "White Horse Inn," Elizabeth Wimsett, of the "Windmill Inn," and William Hollands, of the "White Lion Inn," all in the town of Cranbrook, were severally charged on the information of Isaac Rumens, constable of Cranbrook, with, having their houses open during divine service on Sunday afternoon, the 1st inst. The two first named persons pleaded guilty, and Ransley was fined 40s. and costs, and Mrs. Wimsett 10s. and costs. The case against Hollands was gone into, and Mr. Dadson deposed to visiting defendant's house, when he observed a quantity of what he believed to be beer spilt along the passage. This, coupled with some information brought by Rumens, who entered the back way, led him to go into the yard, where his attention was attracted to a coachhouse used as a skittle ground, by seeing a shutter put to. He enquired for the key of this building, and eventually got the ostler to unlock the door, when he saw about a dozen men huddled up together in one corner, each evidently trying not to be visible to the eye of the constable, from a conviction that they had not been there all the afternoon without anything to drink. But fortunately for the defendant the constable summoned a witness from among the concealed group, who swore that he and the whole of his companions had been locked in from the time service began, but he didn’t know by whom, and that the defendant had not supplied them with any drink. This evidence, which the constable could not then rebut, destroyed the proof of the case, and defendant was dismissed with a caution.

 

South Eastern Gazette, 8 May, 1860.

CHANBROOK. Accident.

A few days since a lad named Dury, of the "White Horse Inn," in this town, met with an accident under the following circumstances. It appears that Mr. George Williams, butcher, accompanied by the lad, went to cut off the tails, &c., of some lambs, in holding one of which the animal plunged, when the knife glanced off and inflicted a severe wound on the leg of the unfortunate lad. Medical assistance was quickly procured, and the lad is doing well.

 

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 12 June 1860. Price 1d.

CRANBROOK. ACCIDENT.

A few days since a lad named Dury, of the "White Horse Inn," in this town, met with an accident under the following circumstances. It appears that Mr. George Williams, butcher, accompanied by the lad, went to cut off the tails. &c, of some lambs, in holding one of which the animal plunged, when the knife glanced off and inflicted a severe wound on the leg of the unfortunate lad. Medical assistance was quickly procured, and the lad it doing well.

 

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Tuesday 6 January 1891.

TRANSFER OF LICENCES.

The licences of the "White Horse Inn," Cranbrook, was transferred from Arthur Holliday to William Merricks.

 

Kent & Sussex Courier 15 May 1931.

CRANBROOK. A LOCAL HONOUR.

Mr George Finch, of the "White Horse Hotel," who is Vice Chairman of the Maidstone and District Licensed Victuallers' Association and Chairman of No. 10 District of the Licensed Victuallers Defence, attended the annual conference of the Licensed Victuallers' Defence League at Folkestone last week, and was elected on the Council as District Representative. Mr. Finch is a past chairman of Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and District Licensed Victuallers Association, and past President of the Womens Auxiliary League.

 

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 13 January, 1939.

CRANBROOK BUFFALOES.

Peace Lodge met at the "White Horse Hotel" on Tuesday, when Lodge was opened by "Sir" G. Head and Bro. E. T. Bailey, and 18 registered. Primo T. Tapp reported on the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge. Primo S. Hickmott won the usual mystery parcel, and the evening's minstrels were Primos J. Brooks and A. G. Field, and Bros. E. Osborne. W. Giggles, H. Norman and A. C. Chapman.

 

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Cara Simmonds, 23 July 2023.

Mystery over closure of the White Horse pub in Cranbrook High Street.

A well-known pub has been boarded-up without explanation.

White Horse 2023

The White Horse in Cranbrook High Street has shut suddenly. Picture: Cameron Cheesman.

A passer-by noticed it was shut last week although it has not been confirmed when it officially closed.

“It was big back in the 80s and 90s,” they said.

“You had to order a few drinks for the night because it was such a struggle to get to the front of the bar.”

Pictures now show the building’s groundfloor windows and doors obscured by metal screens.

The White Horse, which has been a pub since at least 1881, was also a bed and breakfast. (I have traced one back with this name to 1828. Paul Skelton)

White Horse 2023

All of the lower windows and doors have been boarded-up. Picture: Cameron Cheesman.

It is owned by Admiral Taverns, a company which runs more than 1,600 predominantly wet-led community pubs.

Residents have been speculating about the closure on a Facebook group – with some saying it might be turned into flats.

One person commented: “It is a huge shame that it had to close. So many pubs and hotels are closing down these days.”

Another said: “So terribly sad to see it closing! So many truly wonderful memories in there over the last 30-plus years.

“Back in the 90s it was the best pub for all the family. The darts, the charity events, the parties, the town tournaments and the hospitality!

“It has to remain as a pub, surely?”

In September 2021, council planners granted permission for two homes to be built on its car park.

The decision stunned residents and angered the parish council, which had objected to the scheme.

A spokesman from Admiral Taverns said: "We are currently reviewing all our options for the White Horse in Cranbrook and no final decision has been made.

“It wouldn't be appropriate to comment any further at this stage."

 

LICENSEE LIST

BISHOP Stephen 1828+ Pigot's Directory 1828-29

BISHOP Mary 1832+ Pigot's Directory 1832-34

RANSLEY Joseph 1853-55+

RANSLEY Thomas Ransley 1858+ (also coach builder)

DRURY Thomas 1861-71+ (age 53 in 1861Census)

OCKENDEN William 1874+

CHAMBERS Andrew E 1881-81+ (age 29 in 1881Census)

HOLLIDAY Arthur to Jan/1891+

MERRIX William Jan/1891-1903+ (age 52 in 1901Census) Kelly's 1903

HUXSTEP Albert (Arthur) Thomas 1911-13+ (age 41 in 1911)

HARLOW Christopher 1918-22+

FINCH George Alfred 1930-31+

ALCOCK Kate L Mrs 1938+

https://pubwiki.co.uk/WhiteHorse.shtml

 

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

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

CensusCensus

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

 

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

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