Above postcard circa 1979, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo circa 2009, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photos taken from their web site.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo 2018.

Above signs left, July 1991, sign right 2014,

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Above card, circa 1985, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above card reverse, circa 1985, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

From their website:- http://www.thewoolpackwarehorne.co.uk/About.htm

The "Woolpack Inn" is a 16th Century Country Inn, located in the picturesque hamlet of Warehorne, 1 mile from Hamstreet. The property is believed to date from the mid 1500s, with parts of the property preceding this date.

The "Woolpack" was built as a farmhouse originally, or could have had something to do with the Church of St. Matthew opposite, as the properties on Church Road next door are called Glebe Cottages. in the 1700 and 1800's the "Woolpack" was one of the centres of the wool fairs for the marsh and Weald of Kent. Wool was brought in quantities and sold to buyers from all parts. The pub probably takes its name from wool, being weighed and packed there.

The "Woolpack" has been closely associated with smuggling, and although there is only anecdotal evidence, it has greater claim than many to have been the haunt of smugglers. It is on record that on one occasion armed men brought a cargo of smuggled goods to Warehorne from Dymchurch and distributed it into smaller quantities for further onward delivery. In the book "Smuggling in Kent and Sussex 1700-1840" by Mary Waugh, the "Woolpack" is one of the few Inns pictured. The "Woolpack" is also particularly associated with the 'owling trade', the smuggling of wool to avoid excise duty. The only tangible reminder of the owling trade today is several inns, including the "Woolpack". The image our swing sign depicts this. The "Woolpack" afforded smugglers many hiding places and being perched on a hill above the marsh, was a good look-out and gave smugglers a good opportunity to escape the excise men. Again, Mary Waugh comments in her book about the smugglers tunnel linking the "Woolpack" to the church of St. Matthew opposite "Thought this is now locked up, it is still periodically inspected by the Excise!" The tunnel is indeed blocked up, a former owner having confessed to pouring concrete down it. Locals also confirm that it does indeed exist but was also dug into when services were installed in the road outside.

The "Woolpack" is renowned for ghosts. Paranormal investigations in August 2008 reputedly made contact with several spirit entities, including old smugglers, a young girl, a clergyman and an old resident named Fred, who has a penchant for buxom ladies, and kept touching one lady in particular!