SEVENOAKS DISTRICT
HAUNTED HOSTELRIES
A directory of inns, bars, taverns and hostelries in the Sevenoaks district with paranormal stories attached.
There are locations in this district where you can enjoy a getaway steeped in spooky history while exploring the surrounding eerie areas.
Some establishments in Kent even host paranormal events and investigations; check out the Events in Kent page for more information.
CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO VISIT THE BUSINESS WEBSITES OR SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES
GofEPS is not affiliated with these establishments; it is simply sharing information. If you have any questions regarding bookings, please contact the establishments directly.
IF YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE IN THIS DISTRICT, OR IF YOU KNOW OF ONE THAT IS NOT LISTED, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH
1. Hever Castle
Hever TN8
Accommodation B&B, Weddings & Venue Hire
"Set in 125 acres of glorious grounds, Hever Castle was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn"
**HISTORY**
Hever Castle, a 13th-century country house nestled in the village of Hever, boasts a rich and varied history. Set on 125 acres of stunning grounds with award-winning gardens, it was the seat of the Boleyn (originally ‘Bullen’) family from 1462 to 1539, adding a unique historical significance to its charm.
It later became the home of King Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.
The Castle is now open to the public as a tourist attraction. -
Luxury Bed and Breakfast is now available. Set within the grounds of the Hever Castle estate, you have two options for where to stay. The Astor and the Anne Boleyn Edwardian Wings, attached to the Castle, offer 27 ‘five-star gold’ luxury bed and breakfast rooms and were built in Tudor style. The other accommodation is Medley Court, a luxurious four-bedroom, five-star gold-rated property built in 1903, which sleeps up to eight people, forming part of the Astor Wing, with individually styled luxurious rooms with antique furnishings, including 4-poster beds and free-standing baths in some, and features original architectural details such as wood-panelled walls and period fireplaces. Free perks include a ‘Castle Kitchen’ welcome hamper to get you started and access to the Castle and expansive grounds (including some parts of the gardens after they are closed to the public).
Hever Castle offers a diverse range of dining experiences within its grounds. Whether you prefer a sit-down meal, a quick takeaway, or a leisurely picnic, there’s something for everyone. The Moat Restaurant and The Waterside Bar, Restaurant & Terrace at the golf club provide excellent dining options. Additionally, various hot and cold kiosks and vans are strategically placed around the grounds, with designated picnic areas for those who prefer to bring their own food or enjoy a takeaway.
For more indepth information on the history, hop over to STATELY HOMES, CASTLES & TOWERS
**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
For information on the paranormal activity, hop over to STATELY HOMES, CASTLES & TOWERS .
You can watch past paranormal events, visitors' experiences, evidence and activities on the GofEPS YouTube playlist HERE.
2.The Chequer
73 High St, Sevenoaks TN13
Bar & Restaurant
''Full of charm and atmosphere, The Chequers offers something for everyone. From live music and weekly quiz nights to Marlowe’s burgers and comforting Sunday roasts.''
**HISTORY**
The old timber-framed pub, The Chequers, is partly a 12th-century building, with exposed beams inside that once held the local Petty Sessions and manor courts in ancient times. It was given Grade II listing on 13 April 1951
Outside the Chequers, there once stood a set of gallows. The guilty were taken from the cells of the nearby Dorset Arms pub and executed shortly after their trials, all in view of large, cheering crowds.
One particularly tragic execution involved a young man who was hanged while his mother watched from an upstairs window. Overcome with grief, she allegedly dropped dead from shock. Consequently, they later boarded up the window to prevent public access.
The Chequers transitioned into a coaching inn and remains a focal point of community life, just as it was in the past.
FOR A LIST OF OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE BUILDING OVER THE YEARS NOT MENTIONED, i.e., LICENSEES, PROPRIETORS, RESIDENTS & INQUESTS, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH
**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
Reports say the mother still haunts the pub and can still be heard sobbing, and her ghost is seen slowly walking through the premises of the Chequers and, occasionally, her cries of anguish.
3. The Crown Inn
84 High St, Shoreham, TN14
Bar & Restaurant
"The Crown of Shoreham offers locally sourced hearty pub classics and a welcoming atmosphere. We invite everyone to relax, share good times, and enjoy our beautiful beer garden."
**HISTORY**
Shoreham was first occupied by Stone Age people in 2000 BC and is one of many beautiful country villages in Kent. They even have an annual Duck Race on May Day.
The Crown Inn is a Grade II listed building (January 1975), C17th Century, with heavy exposed timber inside, an Inglenook with the old beam, and renewed brickwork.
There is also a relaxing riverside walk next to the pub.
An early 19th-century story: a gang of smugglers appeared at the pub with a wounded Spaniard. Richard Squib's daughter, the Maltster and proprietor, tended his wounds and cared for him. They fell in love, married and lived at Shoreham, but shortly afterwards he got press-ganged, and when he finally returned years later, he was told she had died, and it’s said he died shortly afterwards, from a broken heart.
FOR A LIST OF OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE BUILDING OVER THE YEARS NOT MENTIONED, i.e., LICENSEES, PROPRIETORS, RESIDENTS & INQUESTS, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH
**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
The Spaniard is reported as the apparition of a weeping man, seen outside the front door of this inn.
Another ghost story is reported in a nearby house, when the owner awoke one night to see a woman in a black dress and the ghostly head of an elderly man with a dark red face. The following night, he awoke to see a headless body, dressed in a red coat with a ruff. This slowly drifted towards the window, where it remained for several minutes before vanishing. This ghost is said to be that of a 17th-century clown who went mad and hanged himself from a window with a piano wire; hence the ghost has a severed head. The ‘lady in Black’ is believed to be his grieving widow.
4 The Harrow Inn
Harrow Rd, Knockholt TN14
Bar & Restaurant
"The Harrow has fast become a very popular choice for both food and drink. We serve foods from our mouth-watering menu if you fancy a nibble during your visit"
**HISTORY**
The village’s name comes from the Anglo-Saxon term “āc-holt,” meaning “oak copse.” By 1353, it was called Nocholt, indicating the location by the oak tree.
The Harrow is a country inn at one of Kent’s highest points. Constructed from brick and weatherboard, it dates back to the 18th century.
The pub’s name is after the agricultural implement used to break up the earth in farm fields. It was once the house of call for the carriers and waggoners of the Sevenoaks Road.
In the early 1700s, a highwayman arrived, robbed everyone, and even helped himself to all the pub takings before getting away, but the law caught him soon after. They tracked him to another inn nearby, where he was drinking the proceeds of his crime. He was taken back to the area, and after a quick hearing, he was either hanged from a beam at the Harrow Inn or from a Gallows outside the Inn (two stories found)
FOR A LIST OF OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE BUILDING OVER THE YEARS NOT MENTIONED, i.e., LICENSEES, PROPRIETORS, RESIDENTS & INQUESTS, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH
**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
The highwayman is reported to still haunt the area, and from time to time, witnesses have seen him strolling through the Harrow Inn wearing a tricorne hat, a long black cloak, and high riding boots.
5. The Five Bells
25 Church Rd, Seal TN15
Bar & Restaurant
"A characterful ale house with cosy low ceilings - and a crackling fire that provides a warm welcome in winter. Classic pub games such as cribbage, shove ha’penny and shut-the-box are also available."
**HISTORY**
In early documents, the village was called ‘Sele’, ‘Sale’, ‘Zela’, or ‘La Sela’. Only one pub out of nineteen remains in Seal, a living testament to the village’s rich history. The Five Bells on Church Street, a Shepherd Neame Brewery pub, stands as a proud relic of the past.
It started as three separate cottages, each with its own unique story, dating back to the late 16th Century. These cottages, with their own tales to tell, were later united and transformed into the charming ‘The Five Bells’ we know today, a process that unfolded in the 18th Century.
On 16 January 1975, The Five Bells received a prestigious Grade II listing, a testament to its historical importance and unique architectural features.
The Five Bells is a quintessential English alehouse, exuding a cosy charm with its low ceilings and a crackling fire that warms the soul in winter. You can still enjoy classic pub games like cribbage, shove ha’penny, and shut-the-box.
The pub’s name, given its proximity to the church, comes from the fact that the bell tower at St Peter & St Paul’s Church originally had five bells (now it has six).
The Five Bells Inn is first noted in a 1745 title deed.
During an early balloon ascent in the area in 1825, the local militia was called to prevent the superstitious locals from destroying it.
William Webb had been the licensee of the Five Bells from 1836. He had the nickname “Ratty” because he was also the local rat catcher. He died in 1846, and his wife, Lydia, took over, followed by his son, James. He held the license for 60 years. James retired, and his son Ernest took over, serving as licensee from 1909 until his death in March 1950.
FOR A LIST OF OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE BUILDING OVER THE YEARS NOT MENTIONED, i.e., LICENSEES, PROPRIETORS, RESIDENTS & INQUESTS, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH
**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
Legend has it that ‘Ratty’ never left and is still in residence as a ghost. Witnesses have reported seeing a male apparition around the pub, dressed in well-worn working clothes. Some believe he still watches over the pub, ensuring it remains a place of warmth and camaraderie.
6. The White Hart
High St Brasted TN16
Bar & Restaurant
"A pub for people with great taste, The White Hart is a family friendly pub, bar, and restaurant that is sure to accommodate all of your dining requirements, no matter what the occasion."
**HISTORY**
The Village of Eynsford has plenty of history, famous residents, and the odd scandal.
The Plough Inn, a majestic building that stands proudly opposite the River Darent, is believed to date back to the 16th century. The area, once a serene expanse of farmland and woods, was long the cherished home of millers.
The first mention of the Plough as an inn was found in a notice of an auction sale of 1818,
In the 1891 Census, the address was 14 Bridge Road.
As the 20th century dawned, Eynsford underwent a significant transformation. New roads and railways, coupled with the allure of fresh air, drew city dwellers to the area. The Plough Inn undoubtedly catered to these new visitors, offering them a comfortable room for the night.
Legend has it that Charles Dickens, a lover of nature, would often indulge in fly fishing in Farningham. It’s not far-fetched to imagine him spending time in the picturesque village of Eynsford, just like many others, to savour the fresh air and the serene beauty of the clear, clean, shallow fords and stream beds. These natural features, whether in Eynsford or upstream at a stretch of chalk stream running from Lullingstone Castle lake, were perfect for a leisurely paddle or a refreshing swim.
FOR A LIST OF OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE BUILDING OVER THE YEARS NOT MENTIONED, i.e., LICENSEES, PROPRIETORS, RESIDENTS & INQUESTS, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH
**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
Tales tell of a ghostly woman haunting the area just outside the pub, tapping on a window with a coin. The building itself is rumoured to be home to a mischievous poltergeist, adding a touch of mystery to its history
7. The Plough Inn
24 Riverside Eynsford DA4
Bar & Restaurant
"The Plough Inn is a family friendly pub, bar, and restaurant that is perfectly equipped to accommodate all of your dining requirements, no matter what the occasion."
**HISTORY**
The Village of Eynsford has plenty of history, famous residents, and the odd scandal.
The Plough Inn, a majestic building that stands proudly opposite the River Darent, is believed to date back to the 16th century. The area, once a serene expanse of farmland and woods, was long the cherished home of millers.
The first mention of the Plough as an inn was found in a notice of an auction sale of 1818,
In the 1891 Census, the address was 14 Bridge Road.
As the 20th century dawned, Eynsford underwent a significant transformation. New roads and railways, coupled with the allure of fresh air, drew city dwellers to the area. The Plough Inn undoubtedly catered to these new visitors, offering them a comfortable room for the night.
Legend has it that Charles Dickens, a lover of nature, would often indulge in fly fishing in Farningham. It’s not far-fetched to imagine him spending time in the picturesque village of Eynsford, like many others, to savour the fresh air and the serene beauty of the clear, clean, shallow fords and stream beds. These natural features, whether in Eynsford or upstream at a stretch of chalk stream running from Lullingstone Castle lake, were perfect for a leisurely paddle or a refreshing swim.
FOR A LIST OF OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE BUILDING OVER THE YEARS NOT MENTIONED, i.e., LICENSEES, PROPRIETORS, RESIDENTS & INQUESTS, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH
**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
Tales tell of a ghostly woman haunting the area just outside the pub, tapping on a window with a coin. The building itself is rumoured to be home to a mischievous poltergeist, adding a touch of mystery to its history.
8. The Castle Hotel
High Street, Eynsford DA4
Accommodation, Bar & Restaurant
"The Castle Hotel is a boutique hotel in Eynsford offering a beautiful restaurant, relaxing bar area for drinking and dining and seven individually designed rooms."
**HISTORY**
The first mention of The Castle Hotel appears in the 1829 post office directory under its original name, ‘The Harrow Inn’, listed under Mr Henry Booker. He was either the owner of the building or the first landlord, but I could not locate more information on him.
In 1904, Elliott Till of Eynsford (1853-1917), a village Benefactor, lived at the Priory and began saving the older buildings from demolition. A teetotaller, he bought the Harrow Inn in the village centre and refurbished it by adding new windows and a library; at the time, the building was a restaurant with a function room upstairs at the front. At this stage, he decided that the landlord should serve only one alcoholic drink per person per day! This decision upset the locals, and the brewery was understandably unhappy with it too. They took him to the High Court, which revoked it.
Aided by the new roads and railway, the area enjoyed tourism, with visitors coming to enjoy the fresh air and Clear, shallow fords and clean stream beds at Eynsford or Upstream at a stretch of chalk stream running from Lullingstone Castle lake, all perfect for a paddle or swim.
Recognising the growth potential, Elliott Till expanded the Harrow Inn, adding guest bedrooms and transforming it into the Castle Hotel. This name would soon become synonymous with comfort and hospitality.
It’s fascinating to imagine that Charles Dickens, a literary giant, might have gone fly fishing in Farningham and possibly spent time in the village of Eynsford, as many others did.
FOR A LIST OF OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE BUILDING OVER THE YEARS NOT MENTIONED, i.e., LICENSEES, PROPRIETORS, RESIDENTS & INQUESTS, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH
**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
Reports have described poltergeist activity within the hotel and an apparition of a female ghost hovering outside.
The Ghost Connections have conducted a thorough investigation of the hotel, and we eagerly await the results, which could shed light on the mysterious hauntings.