DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Saturday, 16 December, 2023.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton

Earliest 1740-

Red Lion

Closed 2016

1 Kingsdown Road

St. Margaret's at Cliffe

https://whatpub.com/red-lion

Red Lion 1952

Above photo 1952. Creative Commons Licence.

Red Lion 1955

Above postcard, circa 1955, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Red Lion ledger

Thompson & Son ledger 1950-1964. Creative Commons Licence.

Red Lion, St. Margaret's

Red Lion photo by Roger Hurst, circa 1990.

Red Lion, St Margaret's 2006
Red Lion sign

Above photographs by Paul Skelton, November 2006

 

Part of the building is reputed to have once been a mortuary, the pub is now a Freehouse and has a log fire, real ales and home cooked food. It also has a beer garden and caters for families.

Recently being bought in March 2011 by "Priory Land" a land management and development company, and is their first pub.

 

From the web site http://www.prioryland.com/news.php accessed 29 April, 2012

PRIORY COOKS UP A TASTY TREAT

Following completion of a brand new kitchen, the "Red Lion" pub in St Margaret's at Cliffe, which is Priory Land's first pub investment, has quickly developed a reputation for serving outstandingly good home-made food, prepared by chef Les Field.

Mark Goodall, Priory Land's Commercial Director, said “Les is an amazing chef and the food that he prepares is simply out of this World. Everyone is talking about it.” Goodall added “Les was sous chef to Michel Roux Junior for 10 years at Le Gavroche in London and, as you might expect, Les produces fantastic desserts. Only the best ingredients will do for Les and the only thing that is ever frozen is the ice cream. Everything else is freshly prepared that day”.

Most recently, Field was Head Chef at the British Embassy in Kabul for three years.

 

Asked why pubs are a good investment when so many are failing, Dougall said “It may seem obvious but if you buy in the right location, at the right price, listen to what your customers want and deliver exactly what they want, consistently, and at a fair price, then you will not go far wrong. With the "Red Lion," we consulted with our customers and, importantly, we listened. We continue to consult and to listen, and our customers are involved in the making of key decisions”. Dougall added “It helps if you enjoy and are passionate about running a great pub, where people want to be. We certainly are”.

 

The date of the current building is 1825.

 

Red Lion at St. Margarets at Cliff business card 2008 Red Lion at St. Margarets at Cliff business card 2008

Above pictures show front and back of business cards 2008.

From the Kentish Gazette, Wednesday, 22 June to Saturday, 25 June, 1768. Price 2d

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION

At the “Red Lyon” in St. Margaret's at Clift, near Dover, on Thursday the 30th of June Instant, at Three o'Clock in the Afternoon.

A Freehold Messuage or Tenament, with the Out-houses, Buildings, Garden, Yard, Ground, and Appurtenances thereunto belonging to. And also a Toft of Ground, whereon Part of and old decayed Messuage now stands; together with several Shotts of Arable and Pasture Land thereto belonging; Containing in the whole, by Estimation, Thirteen Acres more or less. All situate in the Parish of St. Margaret's at Clift aforesaid. Part of the Land is now in the Tenure or Occupation or Mr. Lawrance, Baker.

For further Particulars, enquire of Mr. Farbrace at Dover.

 

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 10 June, 1854. Price 5d.

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS

Wednesday - before Dr. Sillery.

William Pidduck, farm servant, was brought up for drunkenness, and also for assaulting two constables at St. Margaret's-at-Cliff. From the evidence it appeared that defendant was drunk at the "Lion Inn," in that parish, on Tuesday, and conducted himself so insultingly towards the constable Marsh, one of the complainants, that the latter was induced to take him into custody. In attempting to do so, a struggle ensued, which was observed by the other complainant, named Young, who went to the assistance of Marsh, and while handcuffing Pidduck, Young was twice kicked by defendant. During the removal to Dover, Pidduck made use of very threatening and most obscene language. At the police station he also behaved in a most violent manner.

For the drunkenness, a fine of 5s. was inflicted; and for the assault. £2 2s. - In default of payment, Pidduck was committed to St. Augustine's for a month.

 

South Eastern Gazette, 12 March, 1860.

Obtaining Goods under False Pretences.

Yesterday week, Mary Garby was charged at the Police Court with obtaining several articles of linen by fraudulent representations, from the Rev. C. H. W. Sumner, rector of Ringwould. It appeared that she had gone to Mr. Sumner’s house on the 3rd February, saying that her name was Clarke, of St. Margaret’s, and that she had been sent by the Rev. Mr. Boys, curate of St. Margaret’s at Cliffe, to request relief. She added that she was a widow, and that her husband was born and had always resided at Kingsdown, but that she was a native of Deal. She stated that she had four children, two of whom were then lying ill with abscesses in their backs. Mr. Sumner had some doubts as to the truth of her story, as he thought he should have known any person who had resided long in the neighbourhood; but he gave her two shirts, three table napkins, and 2s. 4d. in money. Ongoing, however, to West Cliffe, where she had said she resided, he found that the whole of her pitiable story was a fabrication. She afterwards sold the shirts and napkins, and the police being made acquainted with her proceedings, she was taken into custody at the "Red Lion" public-house. It was now proved that she had previously been convicted of similar offences.

The Bench sentenced her to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

 

South Eastern Gazette, 7 August, 1860.

Brutal Assault by a Soldier.

On Wednesday last, at the police court, Peter Stevens, gunner in the 2nd Brigade of the Royal Artillery stationed at the Castle, was charged with a brutal assault on John Fettal, at St. Margaret’s fair, on the preceding night. It appeared that the prosecutor and the prisoner had been together during the greater part of Tuesday evening at the "Red Lion" public-house, St. Margaret’s, with "an unfortunate" named Jane White, and some other females, drinking and singing. Soon after midnight Fettal and the woman White rose to go home and left the house. They were followed by the prisoner, who wished White to go home with him, and on her refusing to do so, he accused prosecutor of robbing him, knocked him down, and kicked him in the most savage and unmanly way. The female White fetched the police, who took Stevens into custody.

The prisoner asked to be dealt with summarily, and the Bench fined him £3, with 8s. 6d. costs, or two months’ imprisonment.

 

Kentish Gazette, 28th November 1865.

St Margarets at Cliffe. Inquest.

On Friday, Mr. Coroner Delasaux and a respectable jury held an inquest, at the "Red Lion" public house, on the body of Mr. Edmond Warner, pilot, of Gravesend, who was in charge of the Spanish steamer "Murillo," on the morning of the 3rd instant, when she was run into, off the South Foreland by the French steamer "Dix Decembre" and founded. The unfortunate pilot and two of the crew were drowned. The jury after a careful investigation found that the deceased Edwin Warner was drowned by the French Government steamer Dix Decembre coming into collision with the Spanish steamer Murillo, and that the said collision occurred through great negligence on the part of the commander of the Dix Decembre.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 22 February, 1895. Price 1d.

W. GARDENER v. Mrs. THURLOW

This was a claim for £1 1s. 0d. for work done on a beer engine at the “Lion,” St. Margaret's of which the defendant was at the time landlady.

On behalf of the defendant several witnesses were called to prove that the work was done to the beer engine to make it workable.

His Honour gave judgement for the plaintiff in 14 days.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 July, 1890. Price 1d.

STREET ACCIDENT

During the thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon, Mrs. Thurlow of the “Lion Inn,” St. Margaret's, and her daughter, were driving around the corner from the Market Place into Castle Street, when the pony shied and two ladies seated behind were thrown out and badly shaken. They were taken to Mr. Valentine's, in Church Street, but afterwards proceeded on their journey.

 

Dover Express, Friday 20 December 1901.

St. Margaret's festivities.

Permission was granted Mr. Summers, landlord of the "Red Lion," to have an extension on the occasion of a supper on Saturday, and Tradesmen’s Dinner on January 1st.

 

From the Whitstable Times, 11 October, 1902.

BODY WASHED ASHORE AT ST. MARGARET'S BAY.

An inquest was held at the “Red Lion Inn,” St. Margaret’s-at-Cliffe, on Friday afternoon, by the East Kent Coroner (Mr. R. M. Mercer), on the body of a man, which was washed ashore on the previous afternoon.

Thomas Morris, coastguard stationed at St. Margaret's, said he was patrolling his garden at 8.30 a.m. Thursday when he saw the body of a man lying on his back on the rocks immediately below the south Foreland low light. It was low water, and witness calculated the water had been off deceased about four hours. Witness informed the chief officer of his discovery and the police were communicated with. If the man jumped or fell off a vessel in mid-Channel the east wind would bring him in there.

Police-constable Saunders, of the K.C.C., stationed at St. Margaret’s, gave evidence as to receiving the body, which he conveyed to the “Red Lion” to await the inquest. The deceased was 6ft. in height and apparently from 45 to 50 years of age. He had dark grey hair, a beard, and a heavy iron-grey moustache, being a little bald on the front of the head, which was much braised. Deceased was wearing a white shirt, grey suit, brown boots, and black tie. He was wearing a silver watch and an apparently gold chain. The watch had stopped at 11.45. On his person were letters addressed to Alfred Lortzng and also part of a book of Cook's, tourist tickets issued at Queenborough and made returnable to the same place. It was issued on August 7th and expired on October 5th. The letters were written partly in English and partly in German and were not decipherable. It appeared as if deceased had sailed on one of the Zealand Shipping Company’s vessels, and was on his way back to Queenborough. From what he could make of the letters witness had telegraphed to the Cheltenham police for enquiries to be made. He had received a telegram in reply to the effect that an uncle of deceased, named Roeckel, would arrive in Dover that night to identify the body. Two purses were also found on the deceased containing eight German coins and two English pennies. His handkerchief was marked “A.L.’’

The jury were satisfied that the deceased was A. Lortzing, and returned a verdict of “Found drowned.”

The deceased has been identified as Herr Auguste Lortzing, a professor of music, of Pitfield Lawn, Cheltenham. Deceased, it is stated, left Cheltenham on August 8th to visit relatives in Germany, and letters from him were received at his residence during his tour. He always appeared in cheerful spirits. From the ticket found upon the deceased it appears certain that he was returning from Flushing to Queenborough when he met his death. It was known that Mr. Lortzing had a great amount of baggage, and as this could not be traced it led to the supposition that it bad been stolen. On Monday, however, the Kent police received a telegram that it was at Victoria Station, London.

 

From the Dover Express, Friday 16 October, 1903.

ST. MARGARETS.

Mr. F. W. Summers, of the "Red Lion Inn," St. Margarets, applied for an occasional licence to sell at Wanston Farm, on the occasion of a ploughing match on November 10th.

The Clerk said that notice had not been given to the Superintendent of Police. It was necessary to give notice both to the Magistrates’ Clerk and to the Superintendent of the Police.

The application was refused, Mr. Summers being told that he would have to make a fresh one at Wingham after complying with the formalities.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 19 August, 1904. Price 1d.

PERMISSION

The landlord of the “Red Lion Inn,” St. Margaret's, was granted temporary permission to sell at Reach Court Meadow on the occasion of the annual sports on the 21st inst.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 21 April, 1911.

DOVER COUNTY SESSIONS

Plans showing as alterations of the entrance to the "Red Lion," St. Margaret's from the side road to the main road, were approved.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 17 November, 1922.  Price 1½d.

EXTENSIONS

Mr. William Thomas Norris, of the "Red Lion," St. Margaret's, applied for an extension from 10 to 11 p.m. on November 16th, on the occasion of the annual dinner of the Slate Club.

Granted.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 22 March, 1929. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

Plans were submitted for alterations for the “Red Lion,” St. Margaret's.

The plans were approved.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 September, 1936.

OCCASIONAL LICENSE

An occasional licence was granted for the "Red Lion," St. Margaret's-at-Cliff, on October 2nd, from 2.30 to 5 p.m., for a sale at Street Farm.

 

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 19 November, 1937.

BRITISH LEGION DINNER

The licence  of the "Red Lion," St. Margaret's, was granted an extension until 10.30 p.m. on 4th December for a British Legion dinner.

 

From the Dover Express, Thursday, 8 March, 2012. 65p. Exclusive Kathy Bailes

PROPERTY FIRM SERVES UP TASTY NEW VENTURE

Kevin Dougall and Chrisy Kelly

NEW VENTURE: Kevin Dougall, from Priory Land, with Red Lion manager Chrisy Kelly.

A move into the pub market is paying off for developer

A DEVELOPER'S foray into the pub business in St Margaret's has ignited a plan to buy up to eight east Kent premises over the next three years.

Kevin Dougall, chief executive of Priory Land development company, which has interests in St Margaret's and the White Cliffs Business Park, is in negotiations to acquire a second district pub and says, the time is ripe to purchase several sites while prices are on the floor.

Priory Land bought the "Red Lion" freehold in St Margaret's last year for £200,000. A further £90,000 has been spent on a complete overhaul to create a traditional pub with wooden floors and panelling and a giant fireplace.

Profit

In an added quirk the new dining area is packed with James Bond memorabilia, in homage to former village resident and Bond writer Ian Fleming, whilst the main bar will be decked out with Noel Coward items, another former resident.

The venture is a new direction for the land development firm but one which appears to be making a profit.

Former chartered surveyor Mr Dougall, 54, said: “I heard about the pub on a Wednesday morning and had exchanged contracts by the Friday. There was an existing tenancy to honour until the April but we decided to give it a go.

“We bought it for £200,000 and spent £90,000 on the refurbishment and it has now been valued at £400,000.

“It makes an operating profit so basically we write off the property investment but the operating profit generates the income which then supports the mortgage for the next pub we buy.”

The first six months recorded drink sales of £90,000 with food due to be introduced at a launch this month. The year's wet sale target is £200,000 with a maiden year profit of £80,000 predicted without factoring in meal sales.

Following the initial success at St Margaret's, Priory Land created the East Kent Pub Company (2011) Ltd, with a seed investment of £100,000 from an outside investor.

Mr Dougall said: “Having cut our teeth on the "Red Lion" we have got to know the East Kent pub market particularly well and there are plenty of opportunities to acquire other pubs at attractive prices.

Second pub

“With the "Red Lion," which is run by our brilliant pub manager Chrisy Kelly, I realised I really enjoy the business and come here most Sundays. We looked around and were offered another couple of pubs in the area so set up the pub company.

“We are in the process of buying our second pub in the district and plan over the next three years to get a group of between six and eight pubs in this part of east Kent.

“The price to acquire the pubs at the moment is relatively low. We had investor money in the company and after that acquisitions will be through mortgages. The "Red Lion" being in profit helps towards those future projects with cash flow and by showing you can run a pub profitably.

“We do our research and try to buy in the right location where people want what we have to offer. There are parts of the country where our traditional pub model won't work but in this part of Kent we think people appreciate this kind of pub and so there are opportunities.”

The "Red Lion" purchase has also created a small boost to employment with an extra two jobs, going from three to five including new chef Peter Skillin.

Father-of-three Mr Dougall said: “We have a social responsibility. This is not just a piece of property it is part of people's lives and livelihoods.”

■ The launch of meals at the "Red Lion," in Kingsdown Road, will be on Mother's Day, March 18.

 

THE NAME'S BOND

The "Red Lion" now embraces one of the village's most famous former residents Ian Fleming (pictured left and right), author of the Bond books.

Ian FlemmingIan Flemming

Pictures and memorabilia, including models of the Goldfinger car and the original diecasts, adorn the dining room.

Mr Dougall said: “I think it's fascinating that Ian Fleming lived here and bought his house from Noel Coward.

“In Goldfinger the opening scene is set in St Margaret's Bay and in the 1959 novel the pub gets a mention.

“After I bought the pub and found out about Fleming and Coward I decided to get the memorabilia and really celebrate it.

“Ian Fleming also wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and got the name from the sound of a Bentley which had a Spitfire engine in it and was driven past him on the Dover-Deal Road.”

Local knowledge also says the Bond number - 007 - is from the Dover to London bus.

Mr Dougall has also amassed some 30 Noel Coward items, mostly from the American market, for the main bar.

 

From the Dover Express, Thursday, 19 July, 2012. 65p.

PUB GARDEN

A residential property could be built in part of the garden of the "Red Lion" public house in Kingsdown Road, St Margaret's, if planning consent is gained.

Mike Chidzey of Priory Land Ltd, Bracknell, in his application, says records show the site was last used for outbuildings related to the "Red Lion."

One of the changes, he says, is that a wall will have to come down to give access from Kingsdown Road to the proposed property.

 

 

Earliest reference found so far is in the Wingham Division Ale Licence list, which shows the "Red Lion," St. Margaret's at Cliffe, to be re-licensed for the sum of 8 shillings in 1740 indicating that the pub was present before 1740.

In the 1851 census Matilda (nee Goldsack) was married to John Knott the lighthouse keeper of the Upper Light. John probably died and by the 1861 census she was with her father at the Red Lion.

Early in 2016 the pub was closed and was for sale with a freehold of £295,000.

 

Former Red Lion 2020

Above photo 2020.

 

LICENSEE LIST

WELLARD Israel 1740+ Wingham Ale Licences 1740

GOLDSACK John 1841-58 (age 69 in 1851Census) Melville's 1858

KNOTT Matilda (widow) 1861+ (age 56 in 1861Census) (daughter of Thomas Goldsack)

HILLS Edmund Baker 1864-82+ (age 56 in 1881Census) Post Office Directory 1874Post Office Directory 1882

THURLOW Robert 1889-91+ (age 61 in 1891Census) Pikes 1889Pike 1890Piks 1891

SUMMERS F W Mr 1896-July/1905 Pikes 1896-7Pikes 1898Pikes 1899Pikes 1899-1900(Post Office Directory 1903Also wine and spirit merchant)Kelly's 1903

HOTHERERSALL A Mrs July/1905+ Dover Express

HETHERSOLE Mr G H to Mar/1910 Dover Express

Last pub licensee had BENNETT Mr H J C Mar/1910-Nov/10 Dover Express

ANDERSON John 1911-Mar/21 (age 41 in 1911Census) Post Office Directory 1913Pikes 1913Post Office Directory 1914Post Office Directory 1918Post Office Directory 1922Dover Express

NORRIS William Thomas Mar/1921-54+ Dover ExpressPikes 1924Pikes 1932-33Pikes 1938-39Kelly's Directory 1950Kelly's Directory 1953

AUSTIN A A 1954-58+ Kelly's Directory 1956

GOODWIN G A 1958-May/60

GOODWIN L M (widow) May/60-62

BECELIN K 1962-64+

LOCK Frederick G 1972+ Library archives 1974 Charrington & Co

BURCHELL Nick July 2006-11

DOUGALL Kevin Apr/2011+

KELLY Chrisy Mar/2012+

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

 

The Dover Express reported that Mr. H. J. C. Bennett had previously held licence at the "Good Intent," Aldington. J Anderson before taking over the pub left the Royal Marines last autumn.

 

Wingham Ale Licences 1740From Wingham Division Ale Licences 1740 Ref: KAO - QRLV 3/1

Melville's 1858From Melville's Directory 1858

Post Office Directory 1874From the Post Office Directory 1874

Post Office Directory 1882From the Post Office Directory 1882

Pikes 1889From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1889

Pike 1890From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1890

Piks 1891From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1891

Pikes 1895From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1895

Pikes 1896-7From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1896-97

Pikes 1898From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1898

Pikes 1899From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1899

Pikes 1899-1900From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1899-1900

Post Office Directory 1903From the Post Office Directory 1901

Kelly's 1903From the Kelly's Directory 1903

Post Office Directory 1913From the Post Office Directory 1913

Pikes 1913From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1913

Post Office Directory 1914From the Post Office Directory 1914

Post Office Directory 1918From the Post Office Directory 1918

Post Office Directory 1922From the Post Office Directory 1922

Pikes 1924From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1924

Post Office Directory 1930From the Post Office Directory 1930

Pikes 1932-33From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1932-33

Post Office Directory 1938From the Post Office Directory 1938

Pikes 1938-39From Pikes Dover Blue Book 1938-39

Kelly's Directory 1950From the Kelly's Directory 1950

Kelly's Directory 1953From the Kelly's Directory 1953

Kelly's Directory 1956From the Kelly's Directory 1956

Library archives 1974Library archives 1974

Dover ExpressFrom the Dover Express

CensusCensus

 

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

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