Tales of looting, pillaging and plundering are often linked to the rugged coastline of Cornwall during the golden age of smuggling in the 1700s.

But with the short crossing to the Continent, ample isolated estuaries and islands to drop off, and a wealth of skilled boat-builders and fishermen, Kent was once the hotbed for the illicit trade.

And many of the county's pubs played a key role to the black market's murky past which was rife in dealing with tea, tobacco, lace, gin and brandy.

They became rendezvous points to hatch plans for bloody battles, cellars to stash contraband as well as somewhere for the bootleggers to imbibe in a tot or two of rum.

Here's some hostelries we have come across which today attract drinkers fascinated by the dark tales of yesteryear's criminal fraternity.

The Ship Inn, Conyer

Tucked away on the marshes overlooking a creek on the Swale is the Ship Inn at Conyer.

Apart from some attractive waterside town houses, the pub stands alone, just off the busy A2 between Faversham and Sittingbourne.

Today recently extended and refurbished it is now a gastro-pub favoured by those who like top-notch cuisine a bit off the beaten track.

But back in the middle ages it was a landing post for the smuggling community where its remoteness made it ideal for dropping off contraband.

Indeed in March 1823, a raid was carried out by Custom House staff from Faversham who seized nearly £10,000 worth of goods including fancy French silks. Originally a bakery and blacksmiths, it became an alehouse in 1802.

The Three Daws, Gravesend

Today, the Thames Estuary has a high sea-wall providing a defined barrier between terra firma and the water. But centuries ago, London-bound ships had to negotiate their way through a network of tricky channels and mudbanks to find a safe landing place.

The overnight wait for the tide, provided an opportune excuse to unload cargo onto a chain of small vessels that emerged from the reedy marshes of the river as soon as the ship came to a halt.

Throwing packages of tea on to a passing rowing boat was a common occurrence with the ship's captain, if under suspicion, saying he was offloading to float his ship off the bank.

Once ashore, goods were ferried away safely by routes known only to locals.

On the banks of the estuary is The Three Daws near Town Pier dating back to the 1400s patronised by 18th and 19th century smugglers.

After ensuring the contraband was shifted, they would enjoy a tot or two and, just in case, there were seven staircases should they need to make a hasty retreat.

It's believed smugglers dug a number of tunnels from the bustling quayside to the outskirts of the town, including one to Cobham Hall, now a private girls' school.

Also in Gravesend, hidden in an industrial estate is The Ship and Lobster, which was used by Charles Dickens for inspiration in Great Expectations. Next to a sulphur mill, it was used as a depot for concealing goods in nearby underpasses.

The Hogarth, Grain

The Hoo Peninsula was another haven for illicit trafficking of much sought-after items.

A network of tunnels, including one reportedly underneath The Hogarth in Grain, are dotted around the peninsula.

Areas like Yantlett Creek that divides the Isle of Grain from the rest of the peninsula and the Chalk Marshes, were ideal locations for those engaging in the illegal trade.

New publicans Tina and Dave Gates said: "We are new here, but looking into the history, because people are coming in and asking about it."

The Bonny Cravat, Woodchurch

The origins of the name is somewhat unclear although the pub's sign referring to a ship is believed to because it was used as a smugglers' pub who traded with French sailors from the boat La Bonne Curvette, an 18th century warship - and the Anglicised version became Bonny Cravat.

Another theory is that it was a reference to a hangman's noose, probably because it was used as a courtroom where the death sentence would be handed out for stealing animals.

It is a genuine one-off in Britain and no other pubs in the country have the same name.

During the 1740s smuggling in Kent had reached epic proportions and was heavily embroiled in violence.

At the time it was occupied by the Diamond family famed for their smuggling.

The cellar holds its own secrets and a tunnel leading to the church opposite the pub is understood to date back to the Reformation when Catholic priests would be hidden away from Henry VIII's forces so it can be assumed the pub can trace its history back to the Tudor era.

Now owned by Shepherd Neame, it is a popular destination for food, including a Sunday roast carvery, and drinks.

The Old Neptune, Whitstable

Whitstable played a key role in its own speciality of the black market – French prisoners of war during the Napoleonic wars.

Between 1793 and 1814 significant numbers of French soldiers were brought to England living in appalling and filthy accommodation, known as hulks.

Those who succeeded in escaping would be smuggled to Whitstable from London on oyster boats to be given a safe passage home across the English Channel. The town's low beaches and flats made it easy to moor and launch a vessel.

Its many alleyways provided a web of routes to the beach and the many houses and pubs were used to shield cargo.

At the time the town's taverns - and there were more than 50 at the time mainly along the Island Wall and the sea - were key to business.

Most are now private homes but the timber, weather-boarded "Neppy" still stands proud on the pebbled beach and is enormously popular with visitors, dog-walkers and residents and ex-Londoners.

The Ship, Herne Bay

Just along the coast, The Ship was a rendezvous for heavily armed gangs prepared to fight to the bitter end to keep their booty of tobacco, lace, tea, gin and brandy.

Dating back to 1385, and thought to be the oldest building in the town, The Ship was where the groups of tubmen met up and often ended up in fierce fighting.

Lights from vessels would twinkle across the bay reacting to signals coming from the beach.

The pub, which has in recent years been extended to include a terrace overlooking the sea, once also doubled up as a mortuary.

The Star and Eagle, Goudhurst

It wasn't just the coastal regions which were targeted by the villains.

Members of the brutal Hawkhurst Gang, who were regulars at this inland watering hole, inflicted a reign of terror on villagers in the 1740s.

Residents became too scared to venture out of their homes and even hatched a plan to flee Goudhurst.

Gang leader Thomas Kingsmill threatened to carry out a mass murder and burn their homes down - until local soldier William Sturt returned from the wars and, like a knight in shining armour, came to the rescue.

Sturt formed a small army, trained his team basic battle skills, dug trenches and obtained gunpowder. He delivered his motivational fighting speech outside the pub, originally called the Black Spread Eagle, on a hill next to a church overlooking the village.

Kingsmill arrived with his men at the appointed time declaring he would be dining off the hearts of the dead that night.

But his motley crew of vagabonds proved no match for the expert Sturt's men. Kingsmill's brother was among those killed and others were wounded.

They beat a retreat with the triumphant band of residents in hot pursuit.

Some were captured and hanged while Sturt was was hailed a hero.

The pub, with its many original features, including cellars where contraband would be concealed, is now a hotel.

It boasts great views over the Weald and a reputable restaurant.

The Woolpack Inn, Warehorne

The Romney Marsh was once at the heart of the nation's wool trade, a valuable commodity on the Continent.

Instead of the normal practice of importing goods into the country, a group of men known as "owlers" emerged, so-called because they went under cover in the night out on to grazing land and stole wool.

It was secretly shipped from the Kent coast to France and Belgium where it was used to boost the flourishing cloth weaving industry.

The "owlers" used a tunnel from the pub to a nearby churchyard to hide the goods under a grave mound.

With the price of wool changing, they turned their attention to the more conventional contraband favoured by wealthy folk.

The 16th century inn is popular in the summer months with visitors enjoying a drink and bite to eat near the canal.

There are many more smugglers' pubs in Kent which are featured in the book Kent Smugglers' Pubs by Terry Townsend, priced £9.99.