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71 High Street
Hythe
01303 238304
http://thewhiteharthythe.com/
https://whatpub.com/white-hart
Above photo, date unknown, kindly sent by Debi Birkin. |
 Above photo, 1948, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above postcard, date unknown. |
Above photo 2007 by Kevin Woolterton
Creative Commons Licence. |
Above photo 2017. |
 
White Hart sign
Left March 1991. Sign right, 2010.
Above with thanks from Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com |
 
Above card issued March 1953. Sign series 4 number 49. |
Above postcard, 1949, showing the garden of the "White Hart." |
Full name for this is the "White Hart Commercial Inn and Family Hotel."
This pub has no cellars, which gives rise to the possibility that the
house was a waterfront tavern, before the sea moved away and left the town
high and dry. In 1670 the landlord, John Bassett, issued his own tokens as
small change, when official copper coinage was in short supply. When the
Town Hall was built next door, the Mayor rented a room in the inn for use as
a robe chamber.
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White Hart History.
This inn known by the name and sign of the White Hart was built in the
18th year of Richard II, in 1395. Though the original structure is
contained mainly in parts of the interior the building exterior has
changed, having undergone extensive alterations down through the
centuries, particularly in the late 17th century when the present facade
was erected and again in the 18th.
When first built the property, then a dwelling house was part of the
estate of one Thomas Fordred gent of Lympne, in whose descendants it
remained until the Year 1468, when at length it passed by sale to John Frenche esq. of Newingreen parish, and it was whilst in his possession
and with his consent, that the governing body of the port of Hythe,
granted a licence to the house and to one Francis Burley, a fisherman
and ale house keeper of Folkestone. It was in the same year, 1475, that
the house came to be registered under the title of the White Hart though
at the time of registration it was written as the Whytte Harte and in
later years as the Whyte Hearte.
In 1580, the executors of the Fynche estate sold the White Hart to
Thomas Hart gent. of Sellindge. At this date one Thomas Hobday, saddler
was keeper here. He kept the inn until his death in 1610, at which he is
described as an Austlar at the Whit Harte. After his death the house
came to he kept by his daughter Jane. It was around this date that the
Mayor and Jurats of Hythe assembled here at the inn, and dined after
electing new members of parliament for the port. In 1625, a letter from
the Duke of Buckingham recommending his parliamentary choice was read
out. After giving the matter consideration the Mayor and Jurate elected
their own choice, drafted a reply to the Duke and dined at the White
Hart.
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Kentish Gazette 24 July 1773.
HYTHE. WILLIAM TRITTON.
Begs Leave to inform his Friends and the Public in general, that he has
taken the Post-House and Excise-Offices, the Sign of the "White Hart" in
this Town, where Gentlemen and Ladies may be accommodated in the best
Manner, and their Favours gratefully acknowledged.
N.B. Neat Post-Chaise to any Part of England.
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Kentish Gazette, 21 August 1773.
Lost, from Hythe, about 10 days for a fortnight since. A white
spaniel dog with red ears, answers to the name of
Toss.
Whoever will bring the said dog to the "White Hart," at Hythe, shall
receive half a Guinea Reward.
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Kentish Gazette, 2 January, 1779.
White Hart Inn, Hythe. Post and Excise Office.
John Petley, (successor to Mr. William Tritton) humbly solicits the
commands of the public in general, and
particularly those gentlemen and ladies who dealt their favours to
his predecessor; assuring them that nothing
shall be waning to merit the continuance of their obligations, which
will be ever gratefully acknowledge by the
dutiful and most obedient humble servant.
Neat post chaises and able horses; good beds, good wines, and
excellent larder.
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Kentish Gazette 2 March 1802.
On Tuesday se'nnight was found hanging in a stable, at the "White
Hart Inn," Hythe, John Smith, servant to Major Dalton, of the West
Kent militia.
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Kent Gazette Reports 10 December 1805.
White Hart, Hythe.
S. FOREMAN is thankful to his Friends for the encouragement he has
received in the above situation for many years past, and
respectfully informs them, he has now on sale A large Stock of
Choice Old Spirituous Liquors OF ALL SORTS, which he purposes
selling, (for the convenience of small families) in any quantity,
(not less than a bottle,) upon as low terms as it is possible to he
sold by any of his competitors.
N.B. Bottled Ale, Porter, Cider, and Foreign Wines of the best
quality.
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Kentish Gazette, 24 June, 1806.
Fire at Hythe.
Saturday evening, about 11 o’clock, a fire broke out in the stables
of the "White Hart Inn," Hythe, and in a short time entirely
consumed them. At the breaking out of the fire, there were eleven
horses in the stables, seven of which were got out in safety, by the
exertions of the Landlord, and his Grace the Archbishop’s Coachman,
who ventured into the stables at the hazard of their lives, and cut
the halters. Of the remaining four (which were the Archbishop’s) we
are concerned to state, that two were consumed in the flames,
another was so severely burnt, that it was found expedient to
destroy it immediately it was got out of the stable, and the fourth
was much scorched, but hopes are entertained of its recovery. About
five tons of hay, straw, &c. were consumed, together with the
harness belonging to his Grace’s horses, whose loss, it is supposed,
will amount to nearly five hundred pounds. Too much praise cannot be
given to the inhabitants of the town, to Quarter-Master Rhine, and a
party of the 12th light dragoons, and the picquet guard of the 52d
regt. which attended on the first alarm, with the barrack engine,
and by their united and active exertions stopped the further
progress of the fire, which would have probably extended itself to
the inn, and to that part of the town immediately adjoining. The
building was insured for a trifling sum, in the Kent Fire Office,
the remainder of the property was not insured. The cause of the fire
has not yet been ascertained.
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Kentish Gazette, 24 June, 1806.
S. FOREMAN, "White Hart Inn," Hythe, impressed with
gratitude,
returns his warmest thanks to the inhabitants of Hythe, and the
gentlemen of the army, not only for their very active assistance at
the unfortunate fire on his premises on Saturday evening, but also
to the former for their liberal offer to him of accommodation for
guest horses, till he can get his stables rebuilt; which obligations
he will ever gratefully acknowledge.
Hythe, June 23, 1806.
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From the Kentish Gazette, 18 February 1840.
Hythe.
(The following was in response to Queen Victoria's recent marriage to
Prince Albert on 10 February 1840. Paul Skelton.)
The day was ushered in by the ringing of bells. A dinner was prepared at
the "Swan Inn" at five o'clock, which was attended by the mayor and
principal inhabitants. In the evening the band paraded the town, and
several houses were illuminated. The children of the National Schools
were plentifully regaled with plum cake and wine, to drink the health's
of the illustrious Queen and Prince. A numerous party also assembled at
the "White Hart Inn;" the evening was spent with the greatest
cordiality, and many loyal and patriotic toasts were drunk.
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Kentish Gazette, 2 March 1847.
DEATH.
Hills:- Feb. 21, at Hythe, Adelaide, daughter of Mr. John Hills, of the "White
Hart Inn," aged 16.
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From the Folkestone Herald, 9th May, 1931.
Above photo showing Mr W G Humphreys, of the "White Hart Hotel,"
Hythe, whose death occurred last Saturday. Mr. Humphreys had taken over
the hotel only three weeks ago. |
The pub closed for a time in 2008 but reopened again in 2010.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sean Axtell, 19 December 2017.
Rowdy behaviour sparks White Hart's New Years Eve cancellation, says landlord Ben Wilson.
An historic high street pub says it will close on New Year’s Eve
following “rowdy behaviour” at previous events.
Ben Wilson’s family has run the White Hart on Hythe High Street for seven years.
Explaining the decision, he said: “It’s just the typical rowdy behaviour
from lads on a night out. And because it falls on a Sunday it made the
decision easier to make.
“We’re not the kind of pub that promotes hardcore drinking, we don’t do
shots or live music.
“We never have trouble in here, we’ve only seen it on the last two New
Years Eves and it can get you down.”
Mr Wilson and his parents have transformed the red-brick pub, dating
back to 1395, into an intimate tavern and restaurant.
Mr Wilson says he was disheartened when the restaurant cleared out early
last New Year’s Eve.
“Last year we were nowhere near as busy. All our restaurant clientele
left, we closed before half ten,” he said.
It comes as the "King’s Head" pub, about a hundred metres away in the High
Street, announced it would also shut its doors so staff can relax.
Kendra Lennon, the pub’s chef, said: “We will only be open until 4pm
that day, we always shut on New Year’s Eve. It gives staff a chance to
have a rest.”
But other landlords are determined to open on one of the pub trade’s
busiest nights of the year.
They include Paul Thomas, boss of the "Red Lion" in Red Lion Square and
Nicola Ewart-Plane, of the "Globe Inn," just opposite.
Mr Thomas said: “We’ll be open for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, we
don’t ever get any trouble.
“I keep it very tidy here, I like a nice, clean and tidy bar.”
Ms Ewart-Plane added: “It has fallen quite strangely because we’re not
normally open on a Sunday.
“We will have live music from 9pm. Yes, we are going to be open every
day – we will be open both Christmas and New Years Eve.”
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From the Dover Express, Thursday 1 August 2019.
WHERE: High Street CO-OWNER Ben Wilson, 37, took over this historic
pub nine years ago with parents Peter and Gilly Wilson. Mr Wilson, who
employs, four chefs and 15 staff in all, says he is a great believer of
evolving and change.
From redecorating regularly, to bringing in a selection of different
menus, Mr Wilson said this is the key to keeping customers on board.
That, and fresh, hearty food served to his guests' tables.
Ben said: "Business has changed slightly over the years as more
people come to live here. I will be honest, I think we have lost a bit
of custom through the Harbour Arm in the summer months, we have lost
footfall.
“But it is up to me to keep people coming in, we cook everything
fresh, we have a pizza oven.
"Before the Harbour Arm we had some really good summers, where we had
our peak, but you have always got to keep your finger on the button.
"But Hythe has a great variety, everyone is having a go. As my dad
says, you can't drag them in, you need to entice them in off the
streets."
He paid tribute to the variety in Hythe and said many punters come
into the bar for a drink before heading out for a meal.
“Give everyone an equal chance," he said.
"Hythe is a beautiful place, there is a lovely feel to the high
street." |
LICENSEE LIST
BURLEY Francis 1475+
HOBDAY Thomas 1580-1610 dec'd
HOBDAY Jane (daughter) 1610+
BASSETT John 1670+
TRITTON William 1773-Jan/79
PETLEY Mr Jan/1779-85+
FOREMAN S 1805-06+
HILLS John 1832-47+
KEY George 1851-62+ (age 53 in 1861 )
FISHER John 1871-74+ (age 50 in 1874)
COBAY John 1881-99+ (age 35 in 1881)
HUMPHREYS W G Mr to April-May/1931 dec'd
HUMPHREYS Selina A Mrs May/1931-34+
WILSON Gilly, Peter & Ben 2010-19+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/WhiteHart.shtml
http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/whitehart.html
Kentish Gazette
From the Pigot's Directory 1832-33-34
Census
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