MAIDSTONE DISTRICT
HAUNTED HOSTELRIES
A listing of Public houses, Taverns, Old Coaching Inns, Tap & Beer Houses, Cafes, Tearooms, Restaurants, Hotels & B&Bs in the Maidstone 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 ROYAL ALBION
19- 23 Havock Lane Maidstone ME14
Bar & Restaurant
The Royal Albion, once a row of cottages, is the oldest building in Maidstone. It is a Kentish white weatherboarded property that is at least 500 years old. It is in the town's centre, opposite the Maidstone Museum and Art Gallery.
On 21 May 1648, the county of Kent rose in revolt against Parliament. Lord-General Fairfax led Parliamentary forces to Maidstone and, on 1 June, recaptured the town. It was reported that it was at these cottages that General Fairfax took the surrender of the local Royalist troops when the last battle occurred in Havock Lane. (I have been unable to locate records to prove this. According to Wiki, the battle ended at St Faith Church in Station Rd, which is nearby, but some Royalist men were allowed to return to their homes after, so some of the men may have lived in Havock Lane, and some of the fighting may have occurred in Havock lane)
In 1882, at 23 Havock Lane, the inn was run by Henry Hawk (also a Coal Porter) until he died in 1902 and then by his second wife, Emma, until the 1930s.
**HAUNTINGS**
It has been known for its ghostly manifestations over time. There have been reports of hair stroking, cold atmospheres, and the feeling of a presence, but it was good.
Things have been moved and even tidied up. CCTV cameras have caught a white smoke, appearing and disappearing from view. The main activity is near the fireplace and the rooms above.
An investigation team caught several orbs, and their video recorders kept going out of focus.
'Haughty Ann', said to be the proprietor's daughter, was courted by many, yet she spurned them all. She said she would remain a virgin rather than marry. Ann died of a fever, and her ghost is said to have returned, looking for an eligible young man.
It is also said to be haunted by Martin Shotwood, who made another proprietor's daughter, Sarah Oake, pregnant. He took flight from the Royal Albion, leaving her distraught, and She drowned herself. He later hanged himself in remorse when he discovered what unhappy course she had taken. Witnesses describe him as wearing a dark grey suit, with tears falling down his cheeks. (I have currently been unable to locate any records relating to Ann, Martin or Sarah on Ancestry)
2. COACH HOUSE
Queen Anne Road Maidstone ME14
Bar & Pub Grub
Previously named Queen Anne, the Coach House is the only pub in Kent with this name, and the road was previously part of Union Street until around 1828. The road was named after the pub, 'Queen Anne Road', in the middle of a one-way system.
The inn dates back to the early 18th Century and is said to have appeared in the song "The Maidstone Landlords" in 1798.
It was the main pub in Maidstone for the local LBGT group until it closed in 2017.
It reopened in 2018 and was named the "Coach House. " It aims to welcome everyone while still planning LBGT night entertainment to encourage its old customers back.
**HAUNTINGS**
The inn is said to be haunted by a female spirit. She tragically died after being run over by a cart outside the inn; she would have been carried into the inn while someone called the doctor. She is said to be blamed for the disruptions within the inn, which made glasses fall from the shelves. Over the years, witnesses have been shocked after seeing an apparition of a woman who walks through the pub's front door and then vanishes, which may be the same woman or a different kind of paranormal.
3. MILLER & CARTER HOTEL
Sandling Rd, Maidstone ME14
Accommodation, Bar & Steakhouse Restaurant
An army barracks was built in 1797 as a reaction to Napoleon's threat, and it became the home of the West Kent Regiment.
By 1813, the barracks along the Sandling Road were used to train the cavalry's young horses, and 20 years later, they became the Army Riding School.
It was also a staging post for the colonies, and in the 1860s, up to 600 men could be stationed there. The inn, previously called the White Rabbit, occupies what used to be the officers' quarters.
It was taken over by Innkeeper's Collection, given an extensive renovation and now boasts a Miller & Carter Steakhouse.
**HAUNTINGS**
Strange happenings have occurred over the years. The pub menu chalkboard has mysteriously moved around, and the pub lights have switched themselves on and off on other occasions.
Some officers may be returning to their barracks and creating mischief in the inn.
It is said to be haunted by a little girl in a Victorian-style white frock. She has been seen walking along the pub corridors and her apparition has also been seen in room 8. She is heard calling out for her cat, and the door in Room 8 is seen to open and close by itself.
Bar & Restaurant
Previously known as 'The Oake Inn', it is said to date back as far as 1665. The earliest documented mention of the pub is an agreement between Daniel Birkman, a distiller, Thomas Buffield and Christopher Longley, a gentleman of Bearsted. Mr Longley was paid £200 for; "All that messuage or tenement not known by the signe of the Oake Inn, one stable, two gardens, one orchard, one-piece or parcel of land belonging, containing estimated two acres".
At some point, the name changed, and it was called the 'Walnut Tree' until 1890 and then the 'Royal Oak' until 2002.
A large oak tree stood outside its front door until the hurricane of 1987,
fortunately, it missed the pub.
Local legend says that what is now the kitchen was once the holding Gaol for the local courtroom. Further history is displayed in the 'Olde Smoking Room' at the Oak.
**HAUNTINGS**
There are reports of it being haunted by a little girl who is constantly blamed for opening the window of one of the rooms.s.
4. THE OAK ON THE GREEN
Bearsted Green, Church Lane, Bearsted, ME14
5. YE OLDE THIRSTY PIG
4a Knightrider Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15
Alehouse
Ye Olde Thirsty Pig is on the corner of Lower Stone Street and Knightrider Street. It stands at a point that joins two ancient thoroughfares that were the beginnings of a settlement in the Middle Ages. Knightrider Street leads down to the site of the original river crossing, where pilgrims and worshipers would take to the Archbishop's Palace and All Saints Church.
It is reputedly the third oldest building in Maidstone, built between 1430 and 1440. It has massive timber beams, sloping floors, nooks, and crannies. The ceilings are low downstairs and high and vaulted upstairs.
It was originally a farmhouse and is said to have been part of the estate of the nearby Archbishop's Palace.
**HAUNTINGS**
The website states, ''The building oozes charm and has a welcoming feel despite various reports of hauntings!''
It is said to be haunted by a young girl downstairs and the half-apparition of a cavalier-type man seen upstairs. The heat is felt from an unused fireplace, and phantom footsteps have been heard.
6. THE FISHERMANS ARMS
40 Lower Stone Street Maidstone ME15
Bar & Restaurant
The Fisherman's Arms is located on Lower Stone Street, which formed part of the Roman Road between Rochester, the Weald, and Lympne. The name Stone Street, which indicates its ancestry, distinguishes it from the muddy track of medieval times.
The west side of the street has an almost continuous run of historic listed buildings, including the building where the Fisherman is situated. It is said to date back to 1430 and is believed to be the town's oldest building.
One time, a Mason's tied house, but the brewery was bought out by Shepherd Neame in 1956, and the brewery was subsequently closed and has been demolished.
The Fisherman Arms closed in October 2015, but it reopened in February 2016 with Valerie Gillingham, the former landlady of the British Queen in Square Hill for eight years, before it closed for development earlier this year.
**HAUNTINGS**
The Ghost reported to haunt the inn is said to be that of ''Black Jack'' believed to be from the English Civil War era, a parliamentarian Soldier (also known as a Roundhead) fighting in the 'Battle of Maidstone' in 1648. He was shot during the Skirmish outside and stumbled into the building, where he is said to have died from his wound. It stems from the story told by a former Landlady who saw the black apparition of a man in the pub, and that's how he got the name 'Black Jack'.
7. THE WALNUT TREE
Bar & Restaurant
This historic pub, which is in the hands of Shepherd Neame, has been serving ales since 1796, but the Building itself, once three cottages, is said to date back to 1528.
Although refurbished in 2018, it still retains all its charm and character. Authentic oak beams and a large inglenook fireplace provide a cosy atmosphere inside. At the same time, outside the garden, the famous walnut tree, which the inn is named after, continues to stand proudly. Its crop is still used as a tasty bar snack!
**HAUNTINGS**
The pub is said to be haunted by the ghosts of hop-pickers, regulars in the heyday of Kentish hop farming who tragically died of cholera in the village in 1849.
It has been reported that decorative Jugs hanging from the pub beams have started swinging wildly. Pint glasses moved by unseen hands and even fell onto the floor of their own accord. Bar stools moved independently, and pans were found mysteriously stacked in the Kitchen. One occasion, a pub customer saw a ghostly face on the blackboard. Figures were seen walking through the pub walls, and Phantom footsteps were heard walking around upstairs when there was no one up in that area.
Forge Ln, East Farleigh, ME15
8. THE BULL INN
5 Tonbridge Road Barming ME16
9. LEEDS CASTLE
Maidstone ME17
Accommodation & Restaurant, Weddings & Events Venue
Leeds Castle has existed since 1119 when Robert de Crevecoeur (1085-1119) built the first stone castle.
It was a Norman stronghold, the private property of six of England's medieval queens, and a palace used by Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.
A Jacobean country house, a Georgian mansion and an elegant early 20th-century retreat for the influential and famous.
In the 21st century, it has become one of Britain's most visited historic buildings.
Before Lady Baillie died in September 1974, she put in place plans to create a charitable foundation which would inherit the castle and grounds so that they could be preserved for future generations to visit and enjoy.
Check out more via their history timeline here.
It is open to the public for day visits of the Castle and the grounds & gardens. There is a Black Swan Ferry and Land Train and three self guided walks with various catering kiosks scattered around the grounds. If you fancy lunch, they have the Castle View Restaurant (which also has evening dining via bookings)
It has various accommodations available. You can stay in the Battle Hall & The Oast or Castle accommodation, there's B&B accommodation in the 'Maidens Tower' or the 'Stable Courtyard', or Holiday cottages, scattered around the grounds offering families and couples the chance to escape to the countryside, which includes a ticket to the castle during opening hours and and out-of-hours access to the grounds. Coming in Winter 2025, Lakeside Lodges.
**HAUNTINGS**
It has its share of famous Ghosts, and there are many videos on YouTube relating to videos said to be various ghosts caught on camera, and Henry VIII with his wives said to still walk around the castle. Security staff and visitors have reported the apparition, which is believed to be of King Henry VIII.
Witnesses have also claimed to have seen a ghostly woman gliding along the corridors. Some say this is Eleanor Cobham, Duchess of Gloucester and wife of the Lord Protector. She was accused of witchcraft and held at Leeds for a short time before her trial in 1440.
Another female phantom is seen in a long flowing dress brushing her hair in the Queen's room. Some say this could be Lord Fairfax's wife.
Another apparition on YouTube was caught at the castle in 2010. It is said to be the ghost of one of Henry VIII's daughters, who died when she was 13 months old.
The most famous haunting is not of a human but the ghost of a black dog. Witnesses have seen the black dog, describing it as a 'black curly-haired retriever' which passes through walls and closed doors. The dog is said to have been owned by the Witch Duchess Eleanor. As the black dog became a legend, it was connected to death and misfortune. Still, not everyone thinks it is terrible, especially regarding one story told to someone by the owners at the time, the Wykeham-Wentworth family.
A lady was sitting in a bay window, watching the setting sun, when a black dog appeared in the room. It looked like a real dog, and as it crossed the room, she got ready to make friends with it, it suddenly vanished into the wall, so she got up from her seat to investigate but not long after she left her seat, the bay cracked and broke away from the wall into the moat below, so had she not got up, she would have indeed fallen to her death, so maybe, the dog isn't filled with bad omens!
There is also a report of other dogs being seen, possibly Lady Ballies, a small white one and a larger dark-coloured dog similar in description to her white terrier, Smudge, and Great Dane, Boots.
You can watch past paranormal events, visitors' experiences, evidence and activities on the GofEPS YouTube playlist HERE.
10. THE COCK INN
Heath Rd, Boughton Monchelsea, ME17
Bar & Restaurant
The Cock Inn is an old weatherboarded coaching inn. According to the date on the chimney breast found in the attic, the building's history dates back to the 13th century. It has been serving as an inn since 1568.
It stands on the long, straight Heath Road between Coxheath and Langley. The pub name may refer to cockfighting on the premises or where they sold cock-ale, a mixture of ale and the jelly of boiled fowl.
The Canterbury Diocese officially opened it in 1604 as lodgings for priests, monks, and pilgrims travelling from London.
It was used as a supporting role in filming "Kind Hearts and Coronets" in 1949.
There used to be a house next door known as "Knight's House." It was demolished in 2012 and is now the pub's car park.
**HAUNTINGS**
On separate occasions, three different clairvoyants have identified a ghost here named George! The resident ghost is 'George', who is said to have hanged himself at the Cock Inn. George is told in the past to have spent his nights noisily knocking over chairs and throwing bottles of wine around in the cellar.
Ancestry records indicate that George Stonham was at the inn. A blacksmith, born in 1830, grew up there as his father, John, also a blacksmith, had the inn before him. George became a widow in 1870. George Died at the inn on 7 October 1886, aged 56, but he never hung himself; according to Tunbridge Wells Standard - on Friday, 15 October 1886, he died after a very brief illness. He was buried at Boxley on 11 October with his wife, Elizabeth. His Daughters, Elizabeth & Mary Ann, took over after his death, having grown up at the inn too. Elizabeth was still running the inn in 1901.
11. THE RINGLESTONE INN
Ringlestone Road, Harrietsham ME17
Bar & Restaurant
The Ringlestone Inn is a historic public house, located in the Ringlestone hamlet near the village of Wormshill, now under the area of Harrietsham. It was constructed in 1533 with brick and flint walls and oak beams. It was Grade II listed on 21st Oct 1986. The interior is unchanged since around 1732 and includes tables crafted from the timbers of an 18th-century Thames barge. An inscription on an ancient oak sideboard at the property reads ''A Ryghte Joyus and welcome greetynge too ye all''.
The inn was originally a hospice owned by the church for the sanctuary of monks. Monks are believed to have farmed the land surrounding the inn. Other medieval dwellings have also been uncovered on the site.
Around 1539, the monks are believed to have left following the dissolution of the monasteries ordered by Henry VIII. (likely imprisoned or executed)
The building is referenced in the will of Julius Papworth Quiller, dated 1588.
The property got auctioned off to a Septimus Hepplewhite, a Wheelwright, and Cooper from the Parish of Hollingbourne. Hepplewhite operated a small cooperage from the site until he died in 1609. His wife and eldest son took over the house and business. Under his mother's direction, Oliver Hepplewhite introduced the production and sale of ale to the property around 1615.
The inn grew in popularity, and travellers stopped there for refreshment on route to and from London to the settlements of Kent and a "Gentleman of the Road" (or highwayman) Elias Shepherd, known to have held up coaches between Faversham and Canterbury, is believed to have frequented the inn (Shepherd was captured at Charing and hanged at Penenden Heath in 1765)
In 1788, two smugglers, named John Roberts and Francis Whorlow who were both wanted for the murder of two dragoons and the smuggling of five-thousand gallons of genever (or Dutch) gin at Whitstable, were arrested at "Ringleton" and taken to Faversham jail. In his defence at the Old Bailey, John Roberts provided the alibi that he was visiting his family at "Ringleton" at the time the murders took place. In the face of this evidence, both men were acquitted. The owner of the Ringlestone Inn at the time was "Avery Roberts".
In 1822, the house became known as the Renglestone, and a sign hung announcing it. The inn continued to be known as such until 1867 when it was changed for the final time to the present-day "Ringlestone Inn."
In 1913, Charles Alfred Rayfield took over the inn. Rayfield was the father of Charles 'Gunner' Rayfield, the soldier who may have fired the first artillery shot against the Germans in the First World War.
In 1958, Florence (Ma) and Dora Gasking (mother and daughter) took over the inn and remained there during the '60s; they built up a reputation and were frequently armed with a shotgun. Men weren't allowed in unless accompanied by a woman. Secret knocks were required after around 300 bikers invaded the inn. Inspecting their clientele and sending unwanted guests packing. They were said to have thrown concrete blocks from the windows and assaulted people.
**HAUNTINGS**
Various owners have renovated and maintained the property, allegedly resulting in paranormal activity and a few ghostly manifestations.
The resonance of someone stamping up the cellar steps was often heard, halting at the top and removing one boot, which was thrown to the floor. They never removed the other boot, which could be a previous licensee's spirit.
The sound of muffled gunshots.
Visitors and owners have reported seeing an elderly couple regularly drinking near the house's inglenook fireplace.
Children have been said to appear in the inn, behaving mischievously by hiding and moving things.
One owner's grandchild had toys that appeared to vanish through a wall, which was an original doorway and were later found. The owner's family learned that a young boy, who had lived upstairs, died at the inn.
There is a story told by previous owners regarding another small boy - possibly the son of the landlord at the time, caught poaching on a local farmer's land. The penalties were harsh - imprisonment or death and children were no exception. So. to protect his son, the innkeeper is said to have concealed the child from the local farmers and police constable and put him down in the cellar, within a small area, in an old fireplace, building a small wall in front to shield him, leaving a small hole to pass him food. Eventually, the food stopped being taken, so the father closed the hole. The couple left the Ringlestone, and the wall has not been disturbed. The Ghost Circle investigated there and claimed to have caught a ghost on camera; an excerpt is available here on YouTube. Mediums also talks about other highwaymen who frequent the inn in spirit, along with other people and a dog. It has also been visited by other paranormal groups.
12. THE KINGS HEAD
Headcorn Rd, Crafty Green ME17
Bar & Restaurant
In the 16th century, a coaching inn was located in a small hamlet called Grafty Green, southeast of Maidstone.
The King's Head was said to be visited by Dover Bill, a smuggler. He and his gang used the inn for socializing as well as business. It is said he was held responsible for a terrible accident many years ago, when a coach & horse overturned, killing the driver and all 4 of the passengers. The bodies were carried to the King's Head. The coach driver was beheaded when he fell between the driving seat and the horses. Gunshots made by Dover Bill spooked the horses. The authorities had been informed that he had planned to attack the coach and rob the passengers. There was some evidence that he had carried out this plan, forcing the driver to drive dangerously and crash; he was almost captured when Revenue men surrounded the King's Head, as the outlaws held a drinking session, but managed to escape during the gunfight that followed. Several of his men were arrested and hanged at Penenden Heath. Some say he informed his fellow smugglers to save himself, and Dover Bill was among the thousands who watched the hangings, and then he was banished for this by all who knew him. He was said to have been barred from the inn afterwards and eventually died in poverty. A large mural on one external pub wall portrays 'Dover Bill' and a coach running by moonlight. (I am unable to find factual information about Dover Bill, but there is a request for information regarding William Else, born in Bethersden, Kent, also known as Dover Bill, in RootsChat. According to Ancestry records, there is a William Else born in 1730 in Bethersden, he died in 1815 age 85. She mentions he was in the Battle of 1780, which was in February 1780. The story is that John Knight, a Local Excise Supervisor (with an escort of nine soldiers) took captured gin from Whitstable to Canterbury. On a steep road out of Whitstable, 53 smugglers attacked the group. Two of the soldiers died whilst others were wounded. The smugglers managed to escape with the gin but a punishment was soon made. John Knight (18 years old) was tried and executed at Maidstone, his body hung on Bostall Hill to warn other smugglers.
**HAUNTINGS**
The Ghost of Dover Bill is said to regularly appear outside the pub, appearing to be consumed with hatred.
The men in the accident are said to make a ghostly appearance outside. Tales have been told of this phantom coach appearing on misty nights, driven dangerously fast along the road outside by a headless coachman.
13. THE RED LION
The Square, Lenham, Maidstone, Kent, ME17
Bar & Restaurant
Lenham market goes back to 1088 when the village was a vital crossroad settlement.
The 14th-century A-framed Grade II listed Inn is situated opposite Lenham Square. Its original characteristics, such as the low, heavily beamed ceilings and large open fireplace, have been retained.
It was once a busy coaching inn before the arrival of the railway, and it is frequently used to film period pieces.
Surrounded by Georgian and Victorian houses and across the road is the Pharmacy, which bears the name Saxon Warrior to commemorate the fact that three skeletons, together with swords, daggers, and spearheads, were discovered within the building's structure. The skeletons, dated to the 6th century, are believed to be the remains of Saxon warriors.
**HAUNTINGS**
There are reports of paranormal in the past; one is said to be that of an earlier proprietor of the Red Lion. In the bar hangs a 1920s-style photograph of a man. A caption reads, 'Uncle Bert: in the past and the present'. Someone wrote the word 'present' in unexplained spiky, Black Handwriting, and it is said that it could indicate that 'Uncle Bert' is still present within the inn.
There have also been reports of an elderly pilgrim dressed in 17th-century clothing seen on many occasions, possibly on his way to Canterbury. The pilgrims travelled to and from Canterbury on the Pilgrims Road, which passed through Lenham.
14. Harrow Inn
Hubbards Hill, Warren St, Lenham ME17
Accommodation B&B, Bar & Restaurant
update The inn has been closed since 2020 and is up for sale, so will keep checking on it.
Harrow Inn is a 17th-century hostelry set in the countryside by the medieval market town of Lenham. It now boasts 14 en-suite rooms, including 4-poster and family rooms. It was previously known as 'Harrow Hill Hotel'.
It was once a forge before becoming a rest house for travellers on the Pilgrims Way. This ancient route, which dates back to the 17th century, was a popular path for pilgrims journeying to and from Canterbury. Many of these pilgrims, some of whom were elderly and frail, found the journey extremely difficult. A story goes that a number of them died along the way, and their bodies were carried to the nearest inn and then the Church for burial.
Lenham was also the main smuggling centre used by the notorious Seasalter Gang, who brought contraband goods from the coast. These smugglers, known for their daring exploits, commandeered several pubs and farmhouses to store their contraband. However, no facts have been found that the Harrow Inn was part of this or used by the smugglers.
**HAUNTINGS**
The ghost that haunts this pub is a mystery that adds to the allure of Harrow Inn. Could it be one of those pilgrims who once sought shelter here? He has been spotted in the early hours of the morning, dressed in 17th-century pilgrim attire, and heard singing 'Plainsong' (a body of chants used in the liturgies of the Church), with the occasional hymn. His presence, though unexplained, is a fascinating part of the inn's history.
15. THE DIRTY HABIT
15 Upper St, Hollingbourne, ME17
Bar & Restaurant
UPDATE 8/3/25: CURRENTLY CLOSED. It was due to reopen in the summer of 2024 but didn't, so I will keep checking on its progress.
The pub is set on The Pilgrims Way in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty. It has been used by pilgrims on their way to Canterbury for centuries. The site of the pub dates from the 11th Century. The building was originally a farmhouse with several acres of land. It was owned by Monks, who occupied the building and brewed their cider and survived by resting and selling cider to the weary pilgrims.
It was rebuilt in the fourteenth Century on the old foundations, possibly ruined by fire or the Earthquake that is said to have happened in the area in the 13th Century.
It was originally named "Ye Olde Pilgrim's Rest'e," but when George the Second became king in 1727, it is said to have changed to the "King's Head" sometime after.
It is reputed that King James II stayed at the inn whilst on his way to France via Canterbury and Dover.
In 1975, the owner changed the name back to "Pilgrim's Rest,"
Around 2009, the name was again changed to the "Dirty Habit", then reverted to the "Pilgrims Rest", and then the pub was closed.
In 2010, it was bought by Elite Pubs and reopened after ''undergoing extensive renovation, bringing the building up to modern expectations whilst keeping the period charm and character''. It is now ''a stunning inn, warm and inviting, providing a perfect place for eating and drinking for every visitor from near or far'' They have even provided ''The Monks Corner', ideal for private dining and can cater for up to 30 people. With atmosphere, oak beams to the apex and a bread oven in the corner, you will enjoy a special occasion, a special place with family and friends''.
The long Georgian oak bar and oak panelling in the bar area have been restored, and the Victorian tables and chairs have been retained, restored, and re-upholstered to ensure that the English pub's traditional interior is not lost. Once again, its name has been restored to 'The Dirty Habit'.
A fire at the pub on 9th October 2022 forced it to close. It was due to reopen in Summer 2024 but they now have plans to turn it into a Bed & Breakfast, Plans were submitted The development will comprise of ''a rebuild and repair of the existing building, in line with the consented scheme, with the addition of the introduction of seven bed and breakfast rooms and facilities to the first and second floor; the addition of an infill range to the rear of the principal range, linking with the existing restaurant; and a new detached fridge/freezer unit and bin store to the rear of the building, on the southwestern edge of the site.”
To accommodate the new bedrooms, plans show a reconfiguration of the main staircase to provide better access. A single-storey extension will create a new entrance lobby and the infill of a door between the kitchen and store will form a snug. Proposals also include reconfiguring the fencing and parking area for an external fridge-freezer and refuse storage. This will result in one less space for customers, however, it states “parking numbers are still in line with local policy”.
They hope it will be open again soon!
**HAUNTINGS**
The only information currently found regarding the paranormal is that it is said to have a ghost dating from the nineteenth Century. Previous owners, Mr and Mrs K. Lee, had often felt a presence there. So, Further research is needed, and we will update you if any are found. Maybe the fire and construction work going on currently will bring some paranormal activity out.
16. THE KINGS HEAD
80 North St, Sutton Valence, ME17
Bar & Restaurant
The Kings Head stands on a major route across Kent at a village crossroads. The earliest mention of a settlement at Sutton Valence was in 814. Several structures may have been built in this area over the centuries, and it is believed they may have been inns, although historical accounts are vague. The current building is Victorian, built around 1828
Theatrical performances took place here in the 18th Century.
The stables connected are constructed of Kentish Ragstone and a solid structure. The original feeding rack still exists in places on the north wall. The floor is paved with stone, and a steep ladder leads to the first-floor hayloft.
**HAUNTINGS**
The staff reported that the kitchen fryers would switch on after being turned off at the mains, and other electrical equipment operated independently. Glasses fell from shelves behind the bar, objects were being 'thrown' from shelves or moved, and there was an uneasy feeling in the cellar area.
In 2007, the Publican invited Ghost Connections to conduct an investigation there; they ended up conducting three.
They conducted investigations in different areas of the inn and Stables area. They had unexplained noises, a faint sound of voices in conversation, a smell of spice, and feelings/ sensations and shadows seen throughout their visits. No intelligent communication was made, and there was nothing on their equipment to establish anything paranormal. Still, during their stay, a certain amount of other information was forthcoming to the team of a clairvoyant nature. This information is available from the Ghost Connection team if requested.
17. THE BULL INN
Linton Hill, Linton ME17
Bar & Restaurant
The Bull Inn is high on the Greensand Ridge, with wonderful views and sunsets over the Weald. It is situated opposite the church and other old buildings.
The building dates back to 1674 and gained a Grade II listing in May 1967.
A part-timbered old coaching inn was previously split into three businesses: a post office, a barber's, and a hostelry. Today, the other two businesses are what is now the inn's cosy restaurant, with the areas named in signs within the archway beams. The comfortable bar is heavily beamed and comfortably furnished with traditionally carved leather settees and wooden tables.
**HAUNTINGS**
Haunted tales tell of the ghost of a woman who was seen wearing a black dress and her hair tied up in a bun.
Customers have also reported hearing their names called by someone unseen.
Reports also include the apparition of a cat wandering around the place.
18. HAMLET HOTEL
802 London Rd, Maidstone ME20
Accommodation, Wedding Venue, Bar & Restaurant
It was previously known as Larkfield Priory Hotel (Hamlets Hotel & The Bull Inn between 1946 and the 1960s).
A manor house had been on the Larkfield Priory site since the 18th century.
It was known as Larkfield Farm, but before that, there was a priory and a gallows.
In the 19th century, it was home to the Reverend William Lewis Wigan and his family. In 1876, he passed away, but his family continued to live there. In 1890, a fire gutted the building, and it had to be rebuilt.
It closed suddenly in April 2022. Later that year, the Home Office had proposed using the hotel for immigration purposes but decided against the move after MP Tracey Crouch stepped in.
It is now owned by Hamlet Hotels and reopened in April 2023 after a refurbishment under the name Hamlet Hotel - Maidstone.
It comprises 53 En-Suite Single Rooms, Twin Rooms, Double Rooms, Family Rooms, And Bridal Suites. There is free parking and Wi-Fi.
**HAUNTINGS**
The first ghost is a local maid named Charlotte. She is considered an eighteenth-century serving girl, often seen on the grounds. The story goes that she fell in love with the groundskeeper of the hotel and either killed herself after she lost their baby or died following a botched abortion (facts are not known).
The ghosts created so much chaos during the 1980s that the owner called on a medium to help.
It was uncovered, possibly that due to the gallows on the land, many unhappy spirits seemed to remain in the area.
Kent Paranormal Seekers investigated there, but no solid evidence was gained.
19. THE KINGS HEAD
High St, Staplehurst, TN12
Bar & Restaurant
The King's Head was thought to have been built between 1370 and 1400 beside an old Roman road. Still, it has had extensive alterations over time, and it is classed as an 18th-century building with low ceilings and stone floors. It gained a Grade 2 listing on 10th June 1971
It may have been an Inn as early as 1661 When John Weston held the License. between 1661-1664
It stands on part of the 14th-century churchyard, and two ancient gravestones form part of one wall of the pub.
It would have been a coaching inn for those passing through and was a hotel at some point in its past.
**Hauntings**
Some years ago, one of the gravestones was moved, which is said to have started the haunting, which consisted of heavy mists and weird sounds. Moans and footsteps were heard in the main bar, and weird noises came from one of the guest rooms upstairs, which animals and cats wouldn't go into. The gravestone was finally replaced back in its original position, but the ghostly phenomenon continued.
There's a story about three Staplehurst women who refused to attend Roman Catholic services and burned at the stake in 1555; locals think that this was the burial site of at least two of these women, and it is They that haunts the King's Head. Many religious dissidents were burned at the stake, and neighbouring Sissinghurst was also resident to Sir Richard ''Bloody" Baker.
20. THE LORD RAGLAN
Chart Hill Rd, Staplehurst, TN12
UPDATE: 8/3/25 t appears to have closed in 2020 temporarily but never reopened. Closed Long Term 01/11/2024 and now up for sale, so will keep an eye on its reopening or permanent closure
Bar & Restaurant
I am unable to find much history on the inn or when it became an inn, but my theory is that it may have been a Tannery before. Leathermaking was the third industry in Staplehurst in the late 16th Century. There were two recorded Tanners in Staplehurst. The Usborne family who built Loddenden were tanners, and so were the Buckhursts at Great Wadd. It was a smelly business, so it was produced away from houses, which could explain why it stands alone, and it could have been a weaver's house; at some later point, the fourth industry to come to Staplehurst when the weavers branched out and used farmworkers to weave. They needed places that were large enough to take a two-man loom in at least one room and had ample attics in which unused wool and dyestuffs could be stored, where seed corn could be kept safely, and servants could sleep, even children as young as five were used.
There may have been other buildings in the Tanyard site, but Lord Raglan may be the only one that survived.
In the 1841 Census, there is a Row of Cottages at the bottom of Chart Hill Rd (that still stands today). Then next on the list in the Census is 'Tanyard', and a resident is John Burvill, A Brickmaker, and his family.
In the 1851 Census, there is a brickyard in the area with Resident James Smith; this could also be the same place.
Most Victorians had another trade before going into the beer-selling business, and there were several beer retailers in the area, so more research is being done on this. I will update this when I get more information.
Lord Raglan was a general who served in the Peninsular War as military secretary to the Duke of Wellington. He was Commander-in-Chief of the British troops in Crimea in 1854. He was thought to be one of the most ineffective military leaders ever. He is known for the British victory at the Battle of Alma and the disastrous loss of the Charge Of the Light Brigade during the Battle of Balaklava.
In the early 19th Century, Staplehurst was visited by invalids seeking recuperation, especially those from Romney Marsh and East Kent, apparently attracted by the purity of the air.
The pub was featured in the 2015 movie 'The Carer', starring Brian Cox.
It was briefly a popular watering hole for members of the national press following the £53m Securitas robbery at Tonbridge in 2006 when the police investigations centred on a nearby farm.
The same family had owned it for many years, but the landlord retired in December 2024, and it is now up for sale.
The bar is hung with hops and warmed by two log fires and a stove. The large orchard garden catches the evening sunlight.
**HAUNTINGS**
Lord Raglan Inn has exhibited some ghostly manifestations in the shape of the ghost of George' Flasker' Beesley, a farmer- cum-smuggler. He was a member of the Hawkhurst Gang, who lived in Staplehurst. He was a wanted man by the authorities, and the Dragoons broke into his home; just in time to stop him from escaping up the chimney, he was shot. His ghosty re-enactment of that day still haunts the house, and his spirit has been seen rushing through the house and disappearing when he gets to the chimney. The Lord Raglan Inn is said to have been a place Geroge visited often, and his ghostly apparition is said to have appeared here, too. Witnesses have described him as a 'short fat man, wearing a black hat'. It's also said that he earned his nickname from the leather or metal case that he wore on his belt. People used these cases to carry gunpowder for their guns.