DOVER DISTRICT
HAUNTED HOSTELRIES
A listing of Public houses, Taverns, Old Coaching Inns, Tap & Beer Houses, Cafes, Tearooms, Restaurants, Hotels & B&Bs in the Dover District are reported as being haunted by the visitors of the Past. Some have paranormal events & investigations.
There are places in this District where you can stay for a getaway with some haunted history, while checking out the surrounding haunted areas.
CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO GO TO THE BUSINESS WEBSITE.
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Please note that prices and availability may change, so check this information when booking. You are not guaranteed to see a ghost, so please don't be disappointed if you don't. Just enjoy your night anyway.
GofEPS is not affiliated with these places; it is just sharing the information. If you have any questions regarding bookings, please contact them.
IF YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL ABOUT A HOSTELRY IN THIS DISTRICT OR YOU KNOW OF ONE THAT IS NOT LISTED, THEN PLEASE GET IN TOUCH
1. THE ANCHOR
Bar, Restaurant & Music Venue
The Anchor was built during Charles I's reign in 1645. Records show that it was originally farm cottages, part of a larger estate. It contains portions of 15th, 16th, and 18th-century buildings that represent "Canons Row." They are supposed to represent the Colligate buildings of the six Canons attached to the Collegiate Church. Extensive works were carried out in the early eighteenth century, and the cottages were made into one.
By the mid-eighteenth century, modernisation brought the need for a stage post house in Wingham. The cottages were chosen and a stage post room was set up for mail to be collected and sorted before being taken by Post-boys to outer lying areas. On the first floor, a room was sectioned into cubicles and fitted with small cot beds for the Post-boys. The Post-boys would remain there until they were called upon to carry out their duties. Each was supplied with a post-sack and post-horn.
A license was granted in 1760, and it became The Anchor. The first recorded Landlord of The Anchor was John Puttock, a farmer from the parish of Wingham.
It held local village meetings, county court petty sessions and Coroner Inquests.
In July 1803, Mr Henry Sandcraft, a boot and shoemaker, aged 58, died at the Anchor, leaving a wife and six children.
In March 1852, in the South Eastern Gazette, there was Manslaughter at Wingham. Henry Webb, 31, was charged on the Coroner inquisition with the manslaughter of David Yielding at Wingham. The evidence showed that the deceased and the prisoner were at the public house when a dispute arose over the overpayment of some fish. The landlord removed them from the house when they went to the nearby meadow and fought. After a few rounds, they both collapsed to the ground, but David was unable to stand, and so was taken back to the inn. Mr F H Sankey, surgeon of Wingham, gave evidence that when he was called upon to attend to the deceased, David was found to have a concussion of the brain. There were no external marks of violence but death arose from an effusion of blood on the brain, caused by violence. Henry Said he did not intend to Kill the Deceased and that David had started it. Without leaving, the Jury gave a verdict of "Not guilty," and his lordship directed the prisoner to be discharged.
On 22 January 1870. Several "knights of the trigger" assembled and enjoyed a capital day's rabbit shooting, bagging about 10 braces. An excellent dinner was supplied in the evening by Mr James Elgar of the "Anchor Inn,"
During the storm in 1884, lightning struck a chimney stack on the sidewall of the Anchor Inn, shattering the zinc chimney pot and causing other damage.
The East Kent Light Railway was built between 1911 and 1917 to serve the new coal mines opening up in the area. The site of the former Wingham Colliery station formed what is now the Grain Harvester's site. Three stations eventually opened: Wingham Colliery, Wingham Town (now occupied by garages and a scout hut), and Wingham Canterbury Road [adjacent to the Station Farm Shop]. So, the inn would have been busy with miners who needed a refresher after a hard shift at the mines.
When Michelle and Kevin Abbott took over The Anchor in August 2012, they had no experience running pubs—they had just been drinking in them. When they arrived, the Anchor was a tired and troubled place in need of some serious TLC. They have transformed it into a village pub, restaurant, and music venue.
**HAUNTINGS**
In 2006, GhostSearch UK paranormal investigators visited the inn and reported on it. The team encountered many Spirits in residence and was surprised at the number of active Spirits who came to meet them.
A male energy had presented himself as a man of 'title'.
In one of the upper rooms, they found several other male energies who appeared to be holding a meeting about the village of Wingham and the locals (something done in village pubs).
The investigation report states that during their investigation, they were all aware of Spirit's presence, which involved plenty of pushing and pulling.
A gentleman with a round, chubby face wearing a suit made himself known, and sometime later, a tall man made his presence known and gave the impression of having passed with chest pains and being unable to get his breath.
Several circle members sometimes felt uncomfortable and nauseous and were aware of flashing/moving lights around the room.
A medium referred to a man in RAF uniform running, calling out, "It's over, it's over" (they had the feeling of WW2 but weren't sure where he was). In his excitement, he forgot to be alert to the danger and stepped onto a landmine, killed instantly.
In the kitchen, they discovered male energy who took great delight in holding peoples hands. If you held your hand out palm up and fingers straight, you could feel a "solid" handhold yours, and the fingers on your hand slowly moved into a grasping position, experienced by at least six people. They also made contact with a male who had passed over in 1752, aged 64 (he passed of natural causes).
So what do the spirits think of the latest renovations the Abbots have made and whether they make themselves known around the pub nowadays?
High Street, Wingham CT3
2. THE JACKDAW
Denton, CT4
Wedding Venue, Bar & Restaurant.
The was originally a farmhouse built around 1645, belonging to the estate of Thomas Leythorne. It was leased out to tenant farmers until 1756.
In 1756, under the ownership of Keeble Estate, the premises were leased out to Mr Snell Esq with a license to sell Ales and Ciders. Subsequently, the premises were named 'The Red Lion'.
They held local inquests there, one being in March 1863. Samual Cowley, a 15-year-old farm labourer, died from Tetanus after a pitchfork injury.
At the end of the 19th century, the Inn was a favourite meet of the East Kent Foxhounds and was a change-stop for the Canterbury-Folkestone Coach Stage.
There was then a skittle alley in the outbuildings and a stable and tea room at the side of the main building.
In 1926 (now, this wouldn't happen today!)The renewal of the license of the "Red Lion," Denton, was before the Bench. The brewers (Whitbread) expressed their desire to retain the services of the Landlord twice convicted of a licensing offence. After an Adjournment, the Bench said they would take the unusual step of renewing the license. (must have been a backhander!)
In December 1935, a landlord passed away here at the age of 61. He had served as a sergeant with the Northumberland Fusiliers, held a Warrant Rank during the Great War, and served with the East Kent Yeomanry.
The building was damaged by fire in 1950.
It was renamed in 1963 after the ''Jackdaw of the Rheims,'' one of the famous Ingoldsby legends written by Rev Richard Barham, who lived at the manor of Tappington in Denton.
In 1969, the pub was the location for the film "The Battle of Britain," which depicted the famous air battle fought in the skies overhead.
The Jackdaw closed in September 2008, but in April 2009, it was announced that a new licensee had taken over. Preserving the old-world charm of a country inn at the front of the Jackdaw, it now has extensive, contemporary dining areas behind it, as well as a beautiful yet secluded beer garden at the back.
The Spitfire room they have created may be of interest, as it is home to a wealth of WWII RAF memorabilia.
**HAUNTINGS**
The GhostSearch UK Paranormal Investigation team, called in by the Landlady in 2005 as 'something wasn't right', and the Medium sensed, among the many spirits that reside there, one particular male was intent on causing as much emotional and mental damage as he possibly could.
The Cellar seemed to be the area staff feared going to.
It's reported that an underground stream gives these spirits the energy they need to manifest.
During the 2005 investigation, they reported hearing noises, objects moved, a clock altered, and some feeling uneasy. Orb-type lights flashed around the areas, and loud thuds were heard. A three-way male conversation was also heard in the back of the room, and the aroma of aftershave was smelt by all present.
The mediums picked up on a cruel, vindictive, nasty male with brown eyes and a leather Jacket. Three lower male energies were causing problems and inflicting pain on the guests during the night, so when the evening was over, the four mediums, with their guides and other helpers from the Spirit Realm, sent them packing.
2006 They investigated again, and a medium picked up on several spirits. There were tunnels in the area at one time; these were used for the movement of illicit goods. As the Medium reported, one of the spirits lived and died in the Tunnels. Jake Robinson was a thief amongst thieves, spotted in the Cellar, seen fleeting and dashing from side to side, trying to conceal himself, as he did in life. He passed over in 1790, just before Christmas, and his body was never found. Also, in the Cellar, the Medium got the name Michael. During their investigation, most of the group had experienced touching, pushing and pulling by Spirit. One of the guests observed a dark male shape. The Medium made out his facial features, which were very sharp/pointed with prominent cheekbones. Another of the guests stated he looked almost skeletal.
In the bar areas, there was a male Spirit who introduced himself to a medium, Adrian McNally, who was said to be wearing the attire of the 19th Century gents: dark clothing with white stockings, ruffles, and buckled shoes, with a Tricone hat on. One of eight councillors who used to frequent the Inn sometime between 1832-52 and had his Tankard there, he is said to have met his death in a fall he had from his horse and broke his neck; he was 32 years old. They also reported a Spirit gent named George; he said he had passed in 1949; he was wearing a dark 1930-40s suit and a hat and a little girl with fair hair and aged about five or 6yrs, and her name was Elizabeth, all making their presence known during the night.
3. THE KINGS HEAD
9 Beach Street, Deal, Kent CT14
Accommodation, Bar & Restaurant
Charrington's brewers hold title deeds that mention the King's Head in 1721 as an Inn.
The perfect setting facing the sea
Deal Borough Records show the following entry:- MS Council's Opinion 18th November 1776 - by George Rowe, Inner Temple. In the town and Borough of Deal are 30 Public Houses, including taverns and Inns; 18 have a stabling fit for the accommodation of Dragoons and horses, and the other 12 have no stabling.
The dragoons (12 or 13 in all) were to assist the Revenue Officers at Deal. Public houses refused to board the Dragoons because they did not have suitable accommodation. The King's Head was mentioned in this list.
It has a history of once being the haunt of smugglers. In 1852, the Biggest seizure was of 1,200 lbs of Tobacco discovered on the Lugger called Lady Grey. This ship was part-owned by Elizabeth Petty, widow of a known Smuggler, who was running the King's Head at the time. She and other widows who owned the boat pleaded that the ship was taken without consent, as most did when caught in those days.
The early 1900s and the construction of the Railway brought in tourists. Deal people and tourists filled the areas, enjoying the fresh sea air and attending performances at a bandstand, which used to be near the Time Ball Tower. The beach attracted people enjoying a lounge on deck chairs, so no doubt the hotels had a decent trade.
In the 1960s, the open space in front of Beach Street was used for a series of children's amusements. A large draughts board, created from concrete slabs, was beside the Port Arms, and there was a carting track opposite the King's Head. At the north end, a colourful roundabout for children used to occupy the site in the summer, a very good attraction for families on holiday.
In 1975, it closed its doors and became a private dwelling.
After returning to the market in April 1979, Major James Corke, from Canterbury, applied to the Licensing Magistrates for a full license for the "King's Head." Mr Corke had spent 20 years in the Army, serving with the Royal Army Service Corps and the Royal Army Education Corps and wanted to bring the pub back to its former glory. Deal Licensed Victuallers Association opposed this for some reason but it got awarded.
In 1981, it went into the hands of the Inns of Kent, proprietors of the "Zetland Arms" at Kingsdown. It was refurbished and remains in the hands of Landlord Graham Stiles.
It has seven en suite rooms; some have good sea views of passing ships.
One that appears once every 50 years in full sail is the phantom Lady Lovibond of Deal, said to be lost on 13th February 1724, with 50 lives. The story goes that when the captain took his bride on board, the sailors all muttered, "Bad Luck.'' She had been the girlfriend of the first mate, and driven mad with jealousy; the mate deliberately rammed the ship into the Goodwin Sands. Two other phantom ships have been seen out at sea, the liner Montrose and a man of war, the Shrewsbury.
**HAUNTINGS**
The Kings Head has one primary reported ghostly manifestation, which is said to be a man wearing an old-fashioned cricket outfit.
Other reports of ghostly goings-on are noises and mysterious footsteps.
A story going back to early on in its existence: A publican reported that he bolted and secured the doors every night, only to find that they were all unbolted and wide open in the mornings.
4. THE PORT ARMS
10 Beach St, Deal CT14
Accommodation, B&B Bar & Restaurant
According to the Licensee list and 'Old Pubs of Deal and Walmer' by Glover and Rogers, this is one of the oldest pubs in Deal.
It was leased by William Mallett, a boat Pilot, from 1672 to 1699. His widow, Elizabeth, was still there in 1699.
In 1721, it shows the premises leased and supplied by Samuel Fasham Brewer.
Next was Thomas Oakley, also a brewer in 1759. His son, Thomas Jr., followed suit in November 1776 until 1783
The Port Arms was on the list of public houses in 1776, that had refused to take the board of the Dragoons, citing lack of suitable accommodation. Charles Hutchings was the licensee at the time. Could this be because those inns were part of the smuggling crime, as some Victilluars owned boats used by smugglers? The Dragoons had been sent to help the local customs officers, as Deal gained such a reputation as 'hovellers'.
Deal town was a centre of smuggling again during the Napoleonic War.
In 1781, a force of cavalry and infantry searched the town for contraband. The townsmen were tipped off and sent most of what they had hidden back to France for safekeeping.
In January 1785, to stop the town's lawless activities, William Pitt ordered the destruction of every boat drawn up on the beach for the winter. The locals believed they were watching a military exercise until it was too late, and they realized it was their boats being destroyed.
John Teetgen was a Licensee from 1804 - 14. His daughter married Hockaday Minter, who Signed as a Seafencible at Deal in December 1799. In March 1800, he was a Mariner of Beach Street, Deal, between 1813 and 1816 and between 1823 and 1827. They had the Port Arms between 1819 and 21; they eventually moved to France to be innkeepers.
A Social gathering of the brethren of the Enlightened Cottage in Deal was held there in January 1861 while Thomas Trott was the licensee.
The house used to stand almost on the beach, but in 1893, the road we see today was built in front of it, separating it from the shingle.
These events were followed by many more over the centuries, Publicans coming and going, some not staying long.
In the early 1900s, the construction of the Railway brought in tourists. The areas were filled with Deal people and tourists who used to attend performances at a bandstand near the Time Ball Tower. The beach attracted people who enjoyed lounging on deck chairs while enjoying the sea air. Hence, the hotels undoubtedly had a decent trade.
In the 1960s, a series of children's amusements were located in the open space in front of Beach Street. A large draughts board, created from concrete slabs, was beside the Port Arms, and there was a kart track opposite the King's Head.
At the North end, a colourful roundabout for children used to occupy the site in the summer, an ideal attraction for families on holiday.
**HAUNTINGS**
During a Paranormal investigation with a medium by GhostSearch UK, they reported that they experienced some pushing, pulling and hand movement. People had their hair or faces touched by unseen hands, feeling unwell. The smells of scents and pipe tobacco wafted around, shadows and shapes were seen in the darkness, and footsteps across a wooden floor, yet the floor had carpet. A male Spirit came forward during this investigation, and he was described as about 5'7" tall and had silver/grey hair which was combed straight back (no parting); he looked to be in his late 50s to early 60s, but no dates or names were given.
5. THE ROYAL HOTEL
Beach Street, Deal, CT14
Accommodation, Bar, and Restaurant
With the stables and coachhouse adjoining, it dates back to around 1730. It has had a busy history and was once called the "Three Kings" Hotel.
In 1799, his Grace, the Duke of Portland, arrived at the "Three Kings" Hotel from Dover in a post-chaise and four horses decorated with orange-coloured ribbons to see the embarkation of troops for the Helder. His Grace was joined on the balcony by Lady Jane and Mr Dundas and occasionally by the Duke of York, Lord Frederick Somerset, Lord Chatham, and Mr Pitt.
In 1801, Lord Nelson landed at Deal, attended by Captain Gore of the "Medussa", and ate at the "Three King's" Hotel. Sir William, Lady Hamilton, and Mrs Nelson, his sister-in-law, joined him. They took lodgings at the "Three Kings" and remained in Deal until 30th September."
A previous Duke of York, George III's son, was in command of forces in the town during the war with Revolutionary France and was also a frequent visitor to Deal.
He made his headquarters in the comfortable Three Kings Hotel, spurning the spartan quarters offered at the castles. The Three Kings had a balcony, and the Duke used to view the Downs and ship each morning.
Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meinegen stayed at the "Three Kings" on 31st July 1818
The pub eventually became known as the "Royal Hotel " by 1837, probably due to its Royal visitors.
It closed sometime before 1863 and was refurbished and reopened by Mrs Charlotte Rhodes Grellet.
In 1870, the Hon. Dudley Ward died very suddenly on Wednesday evening at the "Royal Hotel," where he was staying.
The early 1900s and the construction of the railway brought in tourists wanting to sample clean sea air, areas filled with Deal people, and tourists who used to attend performances at a bandstand near the Times Ball Tower. The beach attracted people enjoying a lounge on deck chairs, so no doubt the hotels had a decent trade.
In the 1960s, there was a series of children's amusements on the open space in front of Beach Street. A large draughts board was created from concrete slabs beside the Port Arms, and there was a kart track opposite the King's Head. At the north end, a colourful roundabout for children used to occupy the site in the summer, an ideal attraction for the holidaying families
**HAUNTINGS**
The ghost story goes back to the 1970s. Someone heard of an account that the night porter had witnessed the ghostly figure of Lady Hamilton sitting in the corner of the lounge and often stayed there when visiting her beloved Admiral Nelson.
6. THE BELL
22 Church Hill, Shepherdswell, CT15
Bar & Restaurant
The Bell Inn is a Grade II listed, late 19th Century building made with Flint & rubble and red brick
dressings, extended with rendered brick, situated on the edge of the Green. It was once a house before gaining an Inn license. The village is on the Miner's Way Trail. The trail links the coalfield parishes of East Kent; it also links with the North Downs Way.
It has seen many various Publicans over the years.
In 1947, Mr George Frederick Hurley of the "Bell" Inn became the Council representative for Shepherdwell.
In April 1963, Mr Ernest Leo Copley died at age 58. A Mineworker and Licensee. Employed at Tilmanstone Colliery for thirty-one years and the last four years at the "Bell Inn".
A fire ripped through it in June 2006. The pub's four walls are all that is left of the Grade II-listed building. The fire was said to have started in the roof area. It was rebuilt and reopened in September 2007 in the hands of the Punch Taverns.
**HAUNTINGS**
In March 1999, the landlady at The Bell Inn appealed to Dover Express readers to help out with old photographs of the four pubs that once existed in Shepherdswell. Jenny, age 43, had moved into The Bell and believed the pub may be haunted due to some strange things happening there. She said locals had told her about two ghosts said to haunt the pub. One is supposed to be the ghost of a young girl, who seems to hang around the fireplace, and the other is of a young man. "Strange things happen. Sometimes, the 17-year-old dog won't settle down and starts barking mad. Our two cats race up and down the stairs. And pictures mysteriously fall off the wall," she said. She left in Sept of that year for reasons not known.
7. THE WHITE HORSE INN
St. James Street Castle Hill Road, Dover CT16
Bar & Restaurant
It dates back to 1365 and stakes its claim as the oldest pub in Dover. It was built as a dwelling for a churchwarden of St James Church, which now stands in ancient ruins next door.
Back in those days, the sea washed to the front entrance of the Church next door and the building was once two cottages.
In 1539, during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the Church gave up the house. In 1574, it became home to Dovers ' Ale tasters' whose duties included checking the quality of Ale & measures and reporting anyone who kept a disorderly house.
Various owners and tenants have lived here, most of whom are involved in the ale-checking business.
In 1600, the two cottages were merged into one.
In 1635, resident Nicholas Ramsey was granted permission to name the premises 'City of Edinburgh', named after a ship that sunk in the Dover Straits (we haven't found a record for this ship). In 1652, Ramsay got a license to sell Ale and Cider.
In 1778, the 25th Foot Regiment, the Edinburgh Regiment, was in garrison at Dover and would have no doubt been visitors to the Inn, on their days off.
The first recorded Landlord was Thomas Parry from 1791-93. Over the next Century, the premises saw more owners/Tenants
In the 18th Century, it became a favourite haunt for actors and players of the Dover Theatres.
In 1818, the name was changed to ''The White Horse Inn''.
Like many others, inquests got dealt with here, especially bodies washed up on the shores from wrecks and suicides and the bodies kept in the now dining area at the back of the Inn.
In the late 19th Century, coaches ran from St Margarets at Cliffe to the Inn, which was also granted a license to open at 5 a.m. for Dockers and shift workers. One landlord, John Friend, spent many times before the magistrates for assault, serving out-of-hours spirits, and keeping pigs in his back garden, which caused a nuisance to neighbours.
In 1900, the licensee of the pub since 1890, Harry Beaufoy Spain, Son of the Proprietor of the Phoenix Music Hall in Dover, died from consumption. His wife then took over but moved on in 1929, and Mr Harry Banks took over.
The pub underwent extensive refurbishment in 2001, and a programme for the Dover Theatre, dated 1809, advertising Harlequin and Mother Goose, was found during renovations in 1952 and is on display within the pub.
Several new managers took over over the next years, but it looked like it had shut for good in 2012.
In September 2016, it reopened under the Enterprise Chain.
**HAUNTINGS**
Since the inquest of a sailor who had drowned in a shipwreck, the staff reported a man, haunting one of the bars in uniform, playing a tin whistle.
There is said to be a ghost, locals named George. Some drinkers claim that George has even pulled them a pint. He likes to turn the lights on and off, and many landlords have experienced his presence and mischief.
In 2001, a previous landlord related his experience at the pub to the Dover Express; he told them, ''The house has a powerful atmosphere on occasion. The first or second night of our tenancy, my wife and I were awakened by someone raking an iron fireplace on the end wall of the bar. The trouble is, there isn't one; there is just gas these days! There is also a blocked tunnel in the passage of the second entrance on Hubert Passage, a monk's refuge maybe?'' or possibly a tunnel to the Church.
Also, after the renovations, the new tenants, Peter Harrison and James Coulson, told the Dover Express, "We have a ghost named George who lives on the top floor," said James. He is a friendly chap, but sometimes mischievous. The radios switched on and off, and things moved around.
In 2010, Jeane Trend-Hill did an investigation at the Church and pub, and in her report, she said, "Next we moved on to the White Horse Inn next door, to see if I could find another spirit - 'George' as the locals refer to him. Believed to be the ghost of a previous Landlord. There were also stories that it got used as a temporary morgue or for carrying out autopsies. I quickly wandered around and got the name "Edward", not "George", whom I'd been looking for. He seemed most annoyed that I wanted George and kept repeating, "I'm Edward". I felt like he was keeping an eye on things. So Maybe George is called Edward, she goes on to say -
Chatting to the current landlord later, she revealed that there had been some poltergeist activity with things being moved around, but She didn't feel it was malicious or more playful. I sensed a few bodies had been laid out for a wake but didn't get a feeling that there had been any autopsies carried out there. A few of us went out to the patio and were amazed when we spotted lights which seemed to be moving. A couple of people noticed it on their camera monitors. At first, I wondered if they were street lights, but they went from one side to the other as we watched. I also managed to capture some orbs in one shot. I felt the spirits were around and amused at what we were doing!"
8. THE EIGHT BELLS
19 Cannon St, Dover CT16
Pub & Restaurant
In the late 19th century, the building above was the Metropole Hotel, and a tailor's shop was at the bottom of the building in 1900.
For years, the front of the building was the pubs, but then in 1927, they were moved back and replaced with another shop.
Plans for a new "Metropole Theatre" were produced in December 1905, and they are undoubtedly the forerunners of the hall built in the rear.
From 1911 to 12, it was a family and commercial hotel. In 1915, it was passed to the Dover Motor Company and used as a garage, office, and showroom.
The Plaza picture house later utilized that hall and opened on 1 July 1929. The upper portion at the rear became flats, and the main entrance was via the former hotel.
In the years following World War Two, it developed as a leisure amenity for bingo enthusiasts; the bars operated as part of a club then.
A description of the ''on a Market'' property in 1962 was offered to the highest bidder with an unexpired lease of twenty-five years, which gave fifteen flats, showrooms, offices, bars, and a shop.
Wetherspoons converted the disused shop premises on Cannon Street opposite St Mary's Church, previously a Millet's Shop and eventually opened its doors in 1997. It was named the Ten Bells but then agreed on the 'Eight Bells' possibly as St Mary's Church opposite has Eight Bells within its tower. The original "Eight Bells", a typical lodging house and public house, was situated just around the corner on New Street. It was closed in the 1930s and remained vacant.
In 2006, the council made a significant contribution to meet the renovation costs of the properties above, converting them into 28 one and two-bedroom flats—the new accommodation under the management of a local housing association.
Some of the equipment used to ring the bells of St Mary's Parish Church for the past 100 years is used to decorate the pub. The bell ringers sometimes relaxed in the Eight Bells pub after their ringing sessions. A suggestion was made that the old clappers and ropes from the bells could be added with the old Dover items which already adorn the pub. The pub owners, J D Wetherspoon, have donated to the Bells appeal fund in return for the items. The vicar, Rev David Ridley, and members of the bell-ringing team went to the pub to hand over the eight clappers and six ropes.
**HAUNTINGS**
The ghost story isn't actually in the pub but the old hotel. The story goes that when the flats above the "Eight Bells" were left empty for many years, passers-by claimed to hear a woman singing from there. It is believed that the singing was that of a young woman named Adele. Adele was said to have met her lover at the Metropole Hotel before he married his fiancée during the Second World War.
Adele later volunteered as a nurse, but she lost her life at the front line. Her friend was working as a housekeeper at the hotel. She claimed to see her in one of the rooms, but Adele vanished into thin air When she went to greet her with a hug.
9. THE CLIQUE PORT ARMS
Western Dock Clarence Pl, Dover CT17
Accommodation, Bar & Restaurant
Between 1791 and 1823, the locals knew it as the "Coach and Horses." The thoroughfare was known as King's Head Street, but by 1676, it was referred to as Crane Street or Crane Quay.
Between 1823 and 1830, the road name changed to Clarence Place, and the pub changed to the "Cinque Ports Arms," although the reason for this name change is unknown.
This pub building has a history shown on Dover Harbour Board maps going back to 1624, but the trade at that time is unknown.
Being situated near the docks, the pub was popular with the fishermen. In 1874, its opening time was 4 a.m., and in 1876, it was brought forward to 3.30 a.m. to serve the fishermen.
A 16th-century inglenook fireplace, in good condition, was uncovered during one renovation, and a workman found a pair of pointed slippers, as worn by court jesters, behind some brickwork.
In 1988, the neighbouring Pub, "the Rose & Crown," which had been closed and dates back to 1843, was renovated and integrated with the Cinque Ports Arms.
The coroner once used both pubs for inquest meetings.
**HAUNTINGS**
There are reports of manic laughter and slapping around the uncovered fireplace late at night. So, could this be the only pub in England with the ghost of a comic whose clown shoes were found within the wall? Or could the famous clown actor Joseph Grimaldi, who in the 1800s began to appear in provincial theatres, with the first appearance in Rochester, Kent, in 1801? In March 1802, he returned to Kent, where he performed in pantomime and has a connection to Tunbridge Wells, so he may have appeared in a Dover theatre at some point also and may have visited the pub for leisure activities.
10. THE GOLDEN LION
11 Priory St, Dover CT17
UPDATE: 8/3/25 Although still open, the pub was recently sold; it doesn't have a website, so I will look into whether it is still open
Bar & Restaurant
Named after the heraldry of Henry I and the dukes of Northumberland, the "Golden Lyon" inn was part of the town in 1730, but records spelling it "The Golden Lion" date back to 1846. It is said that there is a mention in 1765 of an "Old Golden Lyon" near Cross-Wall at the Pier. The "Golden Lion" in Priory Place has been traced back to 1846, so it could be the same place.
Initially, the building was two cottages, which advertised good stabling and had a storehouse.
The inn came about when the two tenements combined.
It was used as an Auction house in the mid-18th Century, and during the 19th and early 20th centuries, it held a license starting at 5 a.m. for early morning passengers leaving for the continent.
Known locally as the 'Golden Roarer'. Victorian author Charles Dickens is reputed to have rested here whilst awaiting a boat to the continent.
It is a one-bar pub with pictures of the local Winkle Club after one of Dickens's characters, old pub photos, and maritime prints. It raises money for local charities.
**HAUNTINGS**
The pub has had its reports of ghostly manifestations. A tall, thin man in a Victorian-style suit enters through the front door, looks around and then disappears.