WHITE SWAN Pubs of Canterbury

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Canterbury, December, 2024.

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 10 December, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton & Rory Kehoe

Earliest 1692-

White Swan

Latest 1941+

(Name to)

45 Northgate Street (44 in 1832)

Canterbury

Above photo circa 1928, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard 1930, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo showing the "White Swan" next to St. John's Hospital, circa 1930. Taken from the Historic Canterbury web site.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo, circa 1946, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, 1958, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. Just before the development of the bombed site opposite.

Above showing the premises in 1941.

Above showing a Tudor Bedroom inside the "White Swan." Image appeared on a postcard, date unknown.

Above postcard, date unknown.

Another postcard of the same era, showing the corner of a bedroom at the "White Swan."

Above advert, date unknown.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above image from Google, July 2009.

Built in 1084 this building known as the "House of the White Swan" has functioned as a guest house and inn and is now addressed as number 48.

Behind the buildings in the photograph are the almshouses and gardens of the Hospital of St John. The pub can be traced back to 1692 when it was mentioned in the Licensing List and in the following year the Billeting List offered the inn four soldiers.

In 1812 the innkeeper was Elizabeth Barwick (widow) and in 1838 it was Mrs. J Welby. In 1849 the lease of the inn was sold by Flints for £20. Two years later the lease was transferred from Mrs. Welby to George Adams. The directory of 1888 named Mrs McConelly as the keeper of the inn. It is suggested the pub closed in 1911, but I have reference to a licensee after this year.

From the Kentish Weekly Post, 17 May 1741.

Wednesday May 20.

To the worthy FREEMEN of the City of Canterbury who are Interest if Sir THOMAS HALES.

Gentlemen,

You are desired to meet the Friends of Sir Thomas, tomorrow Morning, being the Day of Election, at either of the following Houses, viz.

The "King's Head," in High Street,

The "Fountain," St. Margarets,

The "Dolphin," Burgate,

The "Rose," St. Georges,

The "Black Boy," Burgate,

The "Flying Horse," Dover Lane,

The "Three Compasses," St. Peter's,

The "Golden Lyon," St. Peter's,

The "Mitre," High Street,

The "Rising Sun," St. Dunstan's,

The "Black Swan," North Gate,

The "White Swan," North Gate,

The "Tolerated Soldier," North Gate,

The "Fox and Seven Stars," St. Alphage,

The "Saracen's Head," St. Pauls,

The "Maiden Head," Wincheap,

The "Two Brewers," St. Mildred's,

The "Seven Stars," St. Alphage,

The "Three Tuns," St. Margaret's.

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Tuesday 12 June 1849.

Canterbury.

Important sale of the extensive Brewery

of Messr's Flint, including 30 old established Inns and Public Houses, and other valuable property.

Mr. V. J., has received instructions to sell by auction, at the "Fountain Hotel," Canterbury, on Tuesday and Wednesday, 26th and 27th of June, at 12 o'clock each day, (in consequence of the death of the senior acting partner and the retirement of the surviving partners,) the valuable property known as Messrs. Flint's Brewery, in Stour Street, Canterbury, and the Inns, Public Houses, and other valuable property connected with theirwith. The first day sale on Tuesday, 26th June, 1849, will comprise the following property in and near the city.

Public houses.

Lot 1. The "City of Canterbury," situate on the road to Whitstable. Freehold.

Lot 2. The "George and Dragon," Westgate without, leasehold under Hind's charity for 17 years unexpired.

Lot 3. The "Three Compasses," Westgate within. Freehold.

Lot 4. The "Bell Inn" and Coach Office, in the High Street. Freehold.

Lot 5. The "Prince of Wales," St. Alphege Lane,. Freehold.

Lot 6. The "Weavers Arms," Broad Street, freehold and partly leasehold.

Lot 7. The "White Swan," Northgate. Leasehold under St. John's Hospital for a short term, at a ground rent.

Lot 8. The "Kings Head," Northgate. Freehold.

Lot 9. The "Swan Inn," at Sturry (close to the railway station). Freehold.

Lot 10. The "Ship," St. Martins Hill, freehold.

Lots 12. The "Star Commercial Inn and Tap," St George's, close to the Cattle market and Dane John. Freehold.

Lot 13. The "Blue Anchor," Old Dover Lane, near the Cattle market. Freehold.

Lot 14. The "Fleece Inn," High Street, opposite to the Corn market. Freehold.

Lot 28. Three neat Cottages opposite the Brewery, with large gardens extending to the river.

Lot 29. The "Two Brewers" public house and Spirit Warehouse, adjoining the last lot.

Lot 31. The "Black Dog" public house, Castle Street.

Lot 34. The "Duke's Head" Public House, Wincheap Street.

Lot 35. The "King's Head," Public House, Wincheap Street.

Lot 37. The "Royal Exchange," public house, Stour Street.

Lot 38. The "Kentish Arms," public house, and 5 cottages in Jewry Lane. Leasehold for a short term at a low rent.

Lot 40. The "Duke William," at Ickham, abiout five miles from Canterbury. Freehold.

Lot 41. The "Royal Oak Inn," at Deal. Freehold except a small portion.

Lot 42. The "King's Arms," Beach Street, Deal, and Cottage in the rear. leasehold for a short term, at a Ground rent.

Lot 43. The "Fleur De Lis," near the Railway Station, Dover. Leasehold for a term of 6 years, at a Ground rent of £3.

Lot 44. The "Two Brewers," Limekiln Street, Dover. leasehold for a term of 46 years, at a ground rent of £3.

Lot 45. The "Fountain Inn, adjoining the Market place at Dover. Freehold.

Lot 46. The "Lord Nelson," Radnor Street, near the harbour, Folkestone. Freehold.

Lot 47. The "Bricklayers Arms," Fancy Street, Folkestone. Freehold.

Lot 48. The "Castle Inn," at Sandgate. Leasehold for a short term, at a ground rent of 7s. 6d.

Lot 49. The "King's Head Hotel and Tap," at Margate. Freehold.

Lot 50. The "New Inn," at Elham, on the road to Hythe. Freehold.

Lot 51. The "King's Arms," at Milton near Sittingbourne. Freehold.

The Public Houses are for the most part in the occupation of unexceptionable tenants, and the majority of them are doing trades, both in beer and spirits, considerably above the average run of Country houses. (None of them have been beer shops; they're all old Licence Houses, with connections of long standing, thereby affording ample security for the permanency of the trade). The Premises generally are in a superior state of repair.

Particulars and Plans, price 1s. each, may be had of Messr's. Furleys and Mercer, Solicitors, Canterbury; at the "Fountain Hotel;" and of Mr. V. J. Collins, 3, Moorgate Street, London.

From the Kentish Chronicle, 23 May, 1863.

NARROW ESCAPE FROM FIRE.

About nine o’clock on Tuesday evening some clothes were put down before the fire to dry in the kitchen at the “White Swan Inn,” Northgate, Canterbury. No notice was taken of them until about half-past ten, when the landlady found that they were all on fire, as also the mantle-piece, the hearth rug, and the chimney. Through the prompt assistance of the company they were speedily extinguished.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 05 June 1897.

CANTERBURY COUNTY COURT.

A BENEFIT CLUB REFUSES TO PAY A SICK MEMBER.

George James, labourer, Canterbury v. H. Rylett, landlord of the "White Swan," Northgate Street, Canterbury.

This was a claim for £1. 5s., sick pay from a benefit club.

Plaintiff stated that he paid 2d. a week into the "White Swan Club," and was to receive 5s. a week when he was ill. They were also to share out at Christmas and start afresh. On the 19th March he was taken ill and went to Dr. Wacher, who said he was not fit for work and advised him to go to the hospital. He declared on the club on the 19th March and remained on it for five weeks and two days. The club paid him the first two days and then disputed it as they said he had only got a cold.

Defendant said he could not part with a halfpenny until he received a certificate signed by the secretary and person making the application. The club refused to pay plaintiff because he was seen out in all weathers.

Edwin Whiddett, president of the club, stated that they had a meeting and came to the conclusion that plaintiff was imposing upon the club. They agreed to pay him back every penny he had put in. Witness saw him out in all weathers.

His Honour said plaintiff paid the money into the club and was entitled to receive the benefit therefrom. There would be judgement for plaintiff by 5s. a week.

Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald 15 February 1913.

Miscellaneous—Articles for Sale and Wanted, etc.

ANTIQUARIANS.

The Olde Northgate Curiosity Shope ("The White Swan"), St. John's, Canterbury.

Valentine Sinclair offers for sale a large collection of Jacobean beds, refectory tables, old monk's chairs (16th century); also 16th century wrought iron scroll gates with railings to match, and lacquered wardrobe in beautiful condition, with three drawers under, set Chippendale chairs; famous house for old brasses and copperware; all good authenticated; best price given for antiques; distance no object.

From the Kent County Journal, Oct-Dec 1947.

Once again the highways and byways of Kent have heard the clatter of hoofs.....as the century old Stage Coach 'Canterbury Belle'.... rumbles on its journeys from an ancient hostelry near the site of the old North Gate and Hospice of St John to local coastal resorts. The inn is The House Of The White Swan a posting inn. Its mullioned windows and weather-beaten bricks have witnessed the comings and goings of the Stage Coach since early in the 17th century......"

After being closed as a public house for many years, I am led to believe that it became a restaurant and later a handicrafts shop, but dates of these as yet unknown, the building opened up as the "Thomas Tallis" in 2016.

LICENSEE LIST

BARWICK Elizabeth (widow) 1812+

WELBY Charles 1824-32+