Last week, we looked at the history of Ye Olde Yew Tree Inn, in Westbere near Canterbury, and its claim to be the oldest pub in Kent.

Since then, a number of knowledgeable readers have got in touch, suggesting that their local in fact dates back even further.

We thought it was only fair to shine a light on the fascinating history of these ancient inns too...

Coopers Arms, Rochester

The building now known as the Coopers Arms in St Margaret's Street, Rochester, was built during the reign of Richard I (1189-1199), according to the pub's website.

Monks from nearby St Andrews priory - renowned for brewing ales and wine - are said to be its first recorded inhabitants.

It became an inn in 1543 and has continued to serve beers ever since.

Legend has it that the pub is haunted by a member of the Brethren of Coopers who was walled up and left to die. He is said to appear once a year in November. Yikes!

Chequers Inn, Doddington

The Chequers Inn in Doddington is a listed 14th century coaching inn.

Another pub said to boast a ghost, the Swale tavern is reported to be haunted by a Cavalier from the English Civil War.

It’s rumoured that you can spot him wearing a plumed hat from the overhanging window.

Apparently, if you listen carefully you can hear another ghoul with a passion for the piano, reported to be the deceased wife of a past landlord.

Now owned by Shepherd Neame, in recent years it has doubled as the village post office every Tuesday lunchtime.

The Good Beer Guide 2020 says the inn's "roaring log fire keeps customers warm in winter, and the pub frontage is a sea of flowers in summer".

Chequres Inn, Lamberhurst

Another Chequers Inn - in Lamberhurst - has been a pub since 1414 but dates back to 1137 when it was a manor house.

The Shepherd Neame pub in the picturesque village near Tunbridge Wells was taken over by Italian father-and-son team Egidio and Giandonato Rosa in 2017.

It also boasts five en-suite guest bedrooms, and retains many original features, such as its oak beams and inglenook fireplaces.

Ye Olde Crown Inn, Edenbridge

Ye Olde Crown Inn in Edenbridge is said to have been serving wayfarers and visitors since the reign of Edward III (1327 -1377).

The pub is unmissable because of it's unique Kentish bridging sign which spans the high street.

It has a "secret" passage running from the pub to the church, which was used in the late 17th century by the Ransley Gang for smuggling.

The first documented publican was a Mr Robert Fuller (1593), when the pub was known as Fullers House.

When the pub was renovated in 1993, builders unearthed an old pair of shoes, which are now housed in the museum next to the inn.

Legend goes that many older buildings had shoes in the walls, as suspicious folk believed this warded off evil.

Red Lion, Wingham

The Red Lion in Canterbury Road, Wingham, dates back to the 13th century.

It may have formed part of the Canonical College set up in 1286 by Archbishop Peckham.

But it was more likely the "market house", as a weekly market was licensed by Henry III in 1252.

A few years ago Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood joined a campaign to save the pub but now it is sadly shut.

Red Lion, Stodmarsh

One reader got in touch to suggest the Red Lion, in Stodmarsh near Canterbury, is so old that it featured in the Domesday Book.

But as far as we can establish, the pub was actually built in the 15th Century and then rebuilt in 1801 after a fire.

It was run from 2005 to 2013 by one of Kent's most colourful and popular landlords, Robert Whigham.

In 2009, he told a Channel 4 documentary he drank 15 pints of beer a day, with the first "sharpener" as early as 8am.

He said: "I've always been a lovable drinker. It's not arduous, it is absolutely such fun."

Keeping up the eccentricity, the pub currently serves dishes such as Kentucky-fried squirrel.

The Red Lion, Hernhill

One final Red Lion - this pub near Faversham dates back to the 1200s, according to its website.

"Steeped in history, this 13th Century hall house has been totally refurbished," it says.

Despite some digging, we can't find out much else about this pub. If anyone knows any more, please do get in touch!

The Angel Inn, Addington

This village pub near West Malling was a hostelry as long ago as 1350, being strategically situated close to the "Pilgrim's Way" to Canterbury.

It was Grade II-listed by Historic England in 1978.

The British Lion, Folkestone

One reader got in touch to suggest that The British Lion in The Bayle, Folkestone, could be Kent's oldest pub.

The inn is said to have been a favourite retreat of of Charles Dickens between 1857-63, and has its own Dickens Room.

There may have been an inn here since 1460, known as the "Priory Arms".

In 1995, local historian Eamonn Rooney discovered that a large portion of one of the walls that still stands was once part of a late medieval priory.

The Three Daws, Gravesend

This historic riverside inn dates back to the 1400s.

The popular Gravesend pub was previously called the "Cornish Chough" and later the "Three Cornish Choughs."

It was originally five wood fronted cottages, thought to be the work of shipwrights.

It is said that the premises boasted no fewer than seven staircases to ensure that the smugglers in the pub could always make a getaway.

In 1984, the Three Daws was closed for the first time in almost five centuries. During all of the fires in Gravesend, including the great fire of 1850, the pub remained virtually unscathed.

Today it is owned by Lester Banks and has been restored to its original charm and character.

The George & Dragon, Speldhurst

This pub, near Tunbridge Wells, is said to have been built in 1212.

One KentOnline reader got in touch to tell us that The George & Dragon even served soldiers on their return from the Battle of Agincourt.

According to the pub's website, it has recently changed hands and "will reopen in the coming weeks", although this message may have been posted pre-lockdown.

The George, Cranbrook

Dating back to about 1300, The George is one of Cranbrook’s most historic buildings.

According to the pub's website, it played host to King Edward I in 1299, and Queen Elizabeth I in 1573.

For more than 300 years, until 1859, a magistrate's court was held in an upper room of the inn, according to dover-kent.com.

"Here, witches and warlocks were examined by local inquisitors before being committed for trial, and probable death by burning, at Maidstone.

"Later, French prisoners-of-war were tried at the inn, being chained to a heavy beam in the floor."

The pub is now run by Shepherd Neame.

Jolly Millers, South Darenth

Landlord Ian Cowell got in touch with us about his pub, the Jolly Millers in South Darenth.

He said: "It apparently dates back to c.1584 and was previously used as the local 'Charnal House' or temporary morgue being the only building in the village with a cellar suitable for storing corpses before they could be transported to their final place of rest."

The pub name is thought to derive from the flour mill that was located on the River Darent by Mally's Place Bridge.

The Milk House, Sittinghurst

Formerly known as the Bull, this pub dates back to the 1300s.

The name recalls Sissinghurst's former name Milkhouse Street, which changed after a local 19th Century smuggling gang brought it unwanted notoriety.

The village was a centre of activity for the infamous Hawkhurst Gang.

And smugglers are thought to have used the pub's priest hole to hide out.

Crispin And Chirspianus, Strood

As we mentioned in our feature on the Yew Tree, last orders have been called at the Crispin and Crispianus in Strood, which was established in the 1200s and was still operating this century.

But the iconic pub, said to be a favourite of Charles Dickens, was devastated by fire in 2011.

The Salutation, Dover

Going back even further, the Annunciation in Dover was reported to have served ale in the 1100s.

It was reported to have been connected by a tunnel to a nearby monastery.

The ancient pub - which later became The Salutation - survived right up until 1983.

The Yew Tree, Westbere

The building itself dates back to 1348 and is said to be haunted by two ghosts.

Both Queen Anne and the Archbishop of Canterbury are reputed to have stayed there, perhaps warming themselves in front of its large inglenook fireplace and enjoying the stunning views across Westbere lakes.

Infamous 18th century highwayman Dick Turpin is said to have hidden inside to evade capture from the law.

According to a Westbere village history pamphlet, the building was in fact a grocery shop in the early part of the 19th century.

The Little Gem, Aylesford

But perhaps set to eclipse them all is The Little Gem in Aylesford - as work is underway to re-open the pub, which was built in 1106.

The tiny building was once believed to be home to the smallest tavern in the county.

It was closed in 2010 and earmarked for residential development.

But thanks to the Saving the Little Gem campaign, it was bought at auction and the owner made sure it got permission from the council to be turned back into a pub.

Last year it was bought again by Goachers Ales, an independent brewery based in Tovil.

Thanks to Paul Skelton for permission to use information and pictures from his website www.dover-kent.com.

Does your local have an even stronger claim to be Kent's oldest pub? Email phayes@thekmgroup.co.uk.

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