SEVENOAKS DISTRICT
HAUNTED HOSTELRIES
A listing of Public houses, Taverns, Old Coaching Inns, Tap & Beer Houses, Cafes, Tearooms, Restaurants, Hotels & B&Bs in the Sevenoaks 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.
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. HEVER CASTLE
Hever TN8
Accommodation B&B, Weddings & Venue Hire
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 King Henry VIII's fourth wife, Anne of Cleves home.
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, there are two opportunities for you to spend the night. There are 27 'five-star gold' luxury bed and breakfast rooms in the Astor and the Anne Boleyn Edwardian Wings attached to the Castle 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.
HAUNTINGS
For more information on the history of Hever Castle and its Ghosts, hop over to the Castles & Towers page.
You can watch past paranormal events, visitors' experiences, evidence and activities on the GofEPS YouTube playlist HERE.
2. THE CHEQUERS
73 High St, Sevenoaks TN13
Bar & Restaurant
The old timber-framed pub, The Chequers, is, in part, a 12th-century building with exposed beams in the interior 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, the window was later boarded up to prevent public access.
The Chequers transitioned into a coaching inn and continues to be a focal point of community life, just as it was in the past.
**HAUNTINGS**
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, hearing her cries with anguish.
3. THE CROWN INN
84 High St, Shoreham, TN14
Bar & Restaurant
The Shoreham area has been occupied since 2000 BC by Stone Age people and is one of the many beautiful country villages in Kent. One of its charming local traditions is the annual Duck Race held on May Day.
The Crown Inn, a 17th-century building, has been listed as Grade II since January 1975. Inside, it features heavy exposed timber and an Inglenook fireplace with an old beam and renewed brickwork. The inn is conveniently located next to a relaxing riverside walk.
A story from the early 19th century relates to a gang of smugglers who arrived at the pub with a wounded Spaniard. The daughter of Richard Squib, the maltster and proprietor, tended to his wounds and cared for him, leading them to fall in love. They married and settled in Shoreham, but soon after, he was press-ganged into military service. By the time he returned years later, he learned that she had passed away, and it is said he died shortly after from a broken heart.
**HAUNTINGS**
The spirit of the heartbroken Spaniard is said to appear as a weeping man seen outside the front door of the inn. Another ghost story emerged from a nearby house, where the owner awoke one night to see a woman dressed in black and the ghostly head of a man with a dark red face. The following night, he woke to find a headless body dressed in a red coat with a ruff. The body drifted slowly toward the window, remaining for several minutes before vanishing. This ghost is believed to belong to a 17th-century clown who went mad and hanged himself from a window with piano wire, resulting in his decapitation. The “Lady in Black” is thought to be his grieving widow. Theatrical actors, like clowns, often toured inns, entertaining patrons while they enjoyed their drinks.
4. THE HARROW INN
Harrow Rd, Knockholt TN14
Bar & Restaurant
The village's name originates from the Anglo-Saxon term "āc-holt," which means "oak copse." By 1353, it was referred to as 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 It was not long before the law caught him. 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)
**HAUNTINGS**
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
In early documents, the village's name was '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 was bestowed with 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 and was the licensee in 1909 until his death in March 1950.
**HAUNTINGS**
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 that he continues to watch over the pub, ensuring that it remains a place of warmth and camaraderie.
6. THE WHITE HART
High St Brasted TN16
Bar & Restaurant
The White Hart, a 16th-century pub with timber framing, is a historical landmark and a renowned restaurant. It is located south of Biggin Hill on the A25 east of Westerham and is just a stone's throw away from Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill's family home and garden.
Many books, some still in print, mention the White Hart as the watering hole for the group of Battle of Britain pilots from Biggin Hill.
Names such as "Sailor" Malan, Brian Kingcome, Alan Deere, etc., have gone down in history as "The Few" who saved this Island during the Battle of Britain in 1940. They fought in Hurricane and Spitfire fighters against numerically superior Luftwaffe forces. In doing so, they prevented a land invasion and occupation by Hitler. Many died for the cause of freedom.
The White Hart holds a unique place in history as the place where these brave men recorded their visits and signed a blackout board, now preserved behind glass at the Shoreham Aircraft Museum. This preservation underscores the importance of their history to historians, enthusiasts, and visitors from around the world.
In 1971, a farewell party was held for a landlord who had run the pub since 1932, looking after the Military crews during the war. Over 100 former pilots attended.
The White Hart's historical significance is further enriched by its notable visitors. From Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in England in 1955, to the British spies Burgess and McLean.
**HAUNTINGS**++
People have reported ghostly manifestations at the White Hart. One such apparition is a young, fair-haired pilot officer from the Second World War. Those who have seen him describe him as having a cherubic smile, adding an intriguing layer to the pub's history.
7. THE PLOUGH INN
24 Riverside Eynsford DA4
Bar & Restaurant
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 have its roots in the 16th century. The area, once a serene expanse of farmland and woods, was the cherished residence of Millers over the years.
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. The advent of new roads and railways, coupled with the allure of fresh air, drew city dwellers to the area. The Plough Inn, undoubtedly, would have 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 savor 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.
**HAUNTINGS**
There are tales of a ghostly woman haunting the area just outside the pub, tapping on a window with a coin. The building itself is rumored to be the dwelling place of a mischievous poltergeist, adding a touch of mystery to its history.
8. THE CASTLE HOTEL
High Street, Eynsford DA4
Accommodation, Bar & Restaurant
The first mention of The Castle Hotel is in the 1829 post office directory under its original name, 'The Harrow Inn', which states it was 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 at the village centre, refurbishing it by adding new windows and the library, which was at that time a restaurant with a function room upstairs to the front of the building. 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 not happy either with this decision. They took him to the high court and had it revoked.
Aided by the new roads and railway, the area enjoyed tourism, 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.
Recognizing the potential for growth, Elliott Till expanded the Harrow Inn, adding guest bedrooms and transforming it into the Castle Hotel, a name that would soon become synonymous with comfort and hospitality.
It's fascinating to imagine that Charles Dickens, a literary giant, might have indulged in some fly fishing in Farningham and possibly spent time in the village of Eynsford, just like many others.
**HAUNTINGS**
There have been reports of poltergeist activity within the hotel and an apparition of a female ghost seen hovering outside.
The Ghost Connections have conducted a thorough investigation of the hotel, and we eagerly await the results that could potentially shed light on the mysterious hauntings.