SWALE DISTRICT
HAUNTED HOSTELRIES
A directory of inns, bars, taverns and hostelries in the Swale 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. THE SHIP INN
Quay House, Conyer, ME9
Bar & Restaurant
"Amid all the charm and character, you'll find fresh, local produce, thoughtful cooking, and warm genuine hospitality".
**HISTORY**
Early records often mention Conyer, a Roman hamlet associated with smuggling. The hamlet is part of Teynham’s village, home to a strong smuggling community in the 18th and 19th centuries. A quarter of all the vessels engaged in smuggling nationwide were based in Kent and Sussex. Conyer certainly played its part as a smuggling community, especially where the small boatyard in the Conyer Creek and the Ship Inn remain.
A short walk north along the creek to the Swale clearly illustrates how remote and suitable the area would have been for smuggling in the past. The Ship Inn, a building with a rich and varied history, is a tangible link to the past and a living testament to the area’s historical significance. It has functioned as a private home, a blacksmith’s shop, a bakery, and eventually an alehouse, each phase adding to its historical legacy.
The Ship Inn began as a private house. In 1642, it was divided into a baker’s shop and a blacksmith’s; the latter is reportedly in Stephen Blaxland’s possession.
In 1802, the blacksmith, Blaxland, applied for an alehouse license, naming that part of the building The Ship.
The other half of the building continued as a Bakery until 1831, when William Beacon bought out the Bakery, he was also granted a full license for the inn, so its possible he bought the Inn too, at the time . According to Ancestry records, when he died in 1840, his wife, Sarah Beacon, inherited the business. By 1851, Sarah had moved to the Mechanics Arms in Faversham with her daughter Martha, who had married Thomas Hudson, a Brewer. Sarah’s sister, Hannah, and brother-in-law, John Pierce (a bargeman), managed it for a couple of years before Sarah’s son, William, took over. He had lived next door to the inn with his family. According to the 1855 directory, the inn was trading under the name “The Ship Endeavour” but soon reverted to The Ship. William remained a publican there until his death at the inn on 25th January 1869. His wife, Anne Sarah, remarried widower Ebenezer Frost in April 1871, and they continued to run the inn.
In 1870, the inn joined the Licensed Victuallers Tea Association, which was set up in 1869 in response to grocers selling wine in their shops. The inn was also selling packets of tea.
Upon Anne Sarah’s death in 1884, Ebenezer continued there until he died in 1899. So it remained in one family’s hands throughout most of the 19th Century. It then had various publicans throughout the 20th Century and beyond.
A dramatic story tells of a fierce battle near The Ship between the Bow Street Runners, a group of early English policemen, and local smugglers. The battle, which took place in the 18th Century, was a significant event in Conyer's history. Many of those captured were either hanged or transported for life. One convict, who was said to have returned from the colonies, later tragically drowned in a storm outside the inn.
The inn was also used for death inquests, and the majority were from drowning in the creek.
The Ship Inn closed suddenly in December 2023, with the owner, Noun Hospitality, having ceased trading. The inn was put up for sale. After nine months closed, it reopened in September 2024 under first-time landlord Harry Roberts. Harry has worked in the hospitality industry for a decade and has welcomed the punters back, with Michelin chefs cooking up some delights in the kitchen.
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**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
A ghostly figure dressed as a seafarer manifests in the Ship, and witnesses have also seen his ghostly corpse stagger out of the waves and towards the pub's front door, so it is believed to be that of the drowned convict.
2. THE DOVER CASTLE INN
20 London Rd, Teynham ME9
Bar, Restaurant & Function hire
"Relax by the open fire or enjoy a delicious meal in one of our dog friendly pub’s three spacious dining areas. If the weather is fine, enjoy al fresco drinking and dining in our large terrace and garden, overlooking a beautiful orchard"
**HISTORY**
The Dover Castle Inn stands on the London Road, formerly called Greenstreet, in the large village of Teynham, historically known as a smugglers’ area, halfway between Rochester and Canterbury. It is a 17th-century coaching inn built around 1640. The Lord of the Manor owned it.
Henry Roper, 11th Baron Teynham, sold it to Shepherd Neame around 1758.
The first Landlord under Shepherd Neame was John Unckles.
In 1768, the Upper Division of the Lathe of Scray held a monthly meeting at the Inn, his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace acting in and for the said Division.
In 1830, Henry Brett provided his Posting Business from The Dover Castle Inn, advertised as ‘‘providing good horses and careful drivers may at all times be depended on, with constant opportunities for the metropolis and coast of Kent by Royal Mails and other well-regulated coaches. The Tavern department will be conducted with economy and comfort—good beds and choice wines may be relied on—private Stall stabling and lockup coach-houses.
The hauntings section discusses a landlord named Ray, who had been the landlord of The Dover Castle since 1975.
Phil Clements took over in 1994 and remained the landlord for nearly 20 years.
In 2014, two new faces took over behind the bar at the Dover Castle Inn in Teynham: Phil Hope and his partner, Rebecca Anderson.
In October 2017, The Dover Castle Inn underwent a significant renovation, a testament to its enduring appeal. While it retains its historical charm, the pub now caters to the needs of the 21st-century traveller. With its three dining areas, a large terrace, and a garden overlooking an orchard, it’s a perfect blend of old-world charm and modern comfort. Stuart George and his partner, Kelly Tompkins, took over the watering hole, ushering in a new era for this beloved establishment.
In March 2024, Shepherd Neame confirmed that Dover Castle welcomed back landlord Stuart George.
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**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
According to the Teynham website, Landlord Ray has received many reports of strange incidents at the inn during his time there. He said, “Sometimes, someone will tell me they heard a strange female voice speaking to them while they were in their room, and when they looked to see who was talking there, there was no one there! Others have reported seeing a woman in the Gents. toilets!” She has been seen and heard in every room of the inn, but for some reason, she frequents the Public Bar less than anywhere else.
The Woman in Grey, or ‘‘Old Mary’’ as she is sometimes called, has been described by those who have seen her as a tall woman wearing a long grey dress. She wears a flower in her long blonde or grey hair.
One evening, after the pub had closed, a barman was cleaning when he saw a beer glass on a table at the far end of the room rise into the air, hurtle across the bar, and smash against the opposite wall, just missing him. These real or imagined hauntings have become part of the inn’s rich history and add to its unique character.
3. CHEQUERS INN
The Street, Doddington, ME9
Bar & Restaurant
"The Chequers Inn is home to fresh food, fine ales and more than its fair share of spirit"
**HISTORY**
Whitstable was an important seaport in the 14th and 15th centuries, and the only road linking it to Maidstone at that time ran through Doddington. Nowadays, the leading local highway is the M2 motorway, which is not far from the village.
The Shepherd Neame-owned Chequers Inn is on the main road at Doddington. It is a Grade II listed (Jan 1967) 14th-century coaching inn along the old way from Maidstone to Faversham.
The Chequers Inn, a Shepherd Neame-owned establishment, has been a cornerstone of Doddington’s life for centuries, weaving itself into the fabric of the local community.
The extended roof of the Chequers is believed to have been used as a smuggler’s dump. Later, it was turned into a large apartment, where post-boys and postillions slept. At the same time, their Coach passengers stayed in the bedrooms below.
Today, the Chequers Inn boasts two distinct bars: a 15th-century Saloon Bar and an earlier 14th-century Public Bar. These were once four separate bars, each catering to a different social class. The transformation of the Public Bar into a single room in 1804 marked a significant change. However, they removed the main post, and the building slowly started to list. As a result, customers had to support the ceiling beam with whatever they could until hasty repairs could be carried out.
It has an Inglenook fireplace and a ‘secret’ room, possibly once used as a priest-hole or for smuggling activities.
The Chequers Inn has served many purposes over the years, reflecting its versatility and adaptability. It has been a resting place for pilgrims journeying to and from Canterbury, a hospice, and a centre for local tax collection.
It was used as a coroner’s Court.
In one inquest held there in June 1863, a male named Edward Foster, a labourer aged 20 years, was buried in a Chalk Pit bank avalanche. The cause of death, which was instant, was falling off a bank of chalk and dislocating his neck vertebrae. The jury returned the verdict: accidental killing.
In 1865, Coroner Mr Delasaux held an inquest on the body of an aged woman named Jane Everist Johnson, who died on the previous Tuesday by falling from a tree in an Orchard at Shurland Farm while engaged in gathering cherries. The deceased was subject to fits. Mr Cragie, a surgeon, stated that the accident probably happened because of that cause. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
A small pond, which was filled in 1947 due to constant flooding, existed on the current car park site.
An old, thatched wooden barn also stood on the site and was used for various purposes, including Coaching stables, the rat and sparrow club, Barn dances, a youth club, and the 1953 coronation celebrations.
The lounge bar was once utilised as a doctor’s surgery and dispensary.
Since 2004, it has doubled as the village post office every Tuesday at lunchtime.
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**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
A Cavalier ghost has been seen, apparently wearing a plumed hat and laughing, peering through an overhanging window, possibly from the English Civil War. It is said to have died in an upstairs room (some reports say he was murdered there).
If you listen carefully, you can also hear a spirit with a passion for the piano. It is said to be the wife of a previous proprietor. Witnesses have reported seeing her wearing a floral dress and hearing her playing the piano in the private quarters.
4. THE FERRY HOUSE INN
Harty Ferry Rd, Leysdown-on-Sea, ME12
Wedding & Celebration Venue, Corporate Events with Accommodation B&B
Today, the landscape has been reimagined as The Harty Estate – an exclusive venue, offering private celebrations, corporate events and on site accommodation.
**HISTORY**
Harty is a small hamlet on the Isle of Sheppey, known as Hertei in 1086, Heartege in 1100, Herteye in 1242 and Harty by 1610. It is separated from Sheppey by Capel Fleet, consisting of a few cottages and a church, plus an isolated and overlooking the Swale estuary, is a Grade II Listed 16th Century Country Public House called “The Ferry House Inn.”
In the 13th century, many pilgrims visited the church, crossing by the ferry after visiting the Abbey at Faversham and continuing after resting to pay homage to St. Sexburga at Minster Abbey.
Schooners, Thames barges and Oyster smacks filled the East Swale until the early 20th century. Barges traded to beaches and landings at Harty, bringing up manure to enrich the land and taking away haystacks.
In later years, Harty was a necessary sea route from London via Queenborough and the Swale, and it was then the last port of call.
As late as 1893, the Ferry House was reportedly on the left-hand side of the road at the bottom of the road from Capel Hill.
It was first documented as the House for the Ferry-keeper.
An extract from “Rambles in the Isle of Sheppy” by Henry Turmine 1843 At the law day, a ferry-warden, two ferry-men, and a constable were yearly chosen, who appointed a ferry-keeper and with the homage made rules and orders for the good government of the ferry". The Ferryman is “obliged to tow all Travellers over free, except on four Days yearly, Palm-Monday, Whit-Tuesday, St. James’s-day and Michaelmas, when a Horseman pays Two-pence, and a Footman one Penny: But on Sundays, or after Eight o’Clock at Night, there is no Passage gratis so that at such Times, the Ferry-keeper will demand Six-pence of every Horseman and Two-pence of every Footman and in these cases the Land Occupiers pays, as well as Strangers. He was also allowed to dredge for Oysters within the Compass of his ferry loop, which extends one Tow’s Length (as they term it), i.e., sixty Fathoms on each Side of the Castle.
There are many sad accounts over the centuries of boats capsizing and drownings of men, women, and children within the Ferry area of the swale.
The Ferry House was eventually converted into an inn to provide refreshments and shelter for the waiting passengers; the current landlord still holds the rights to the ferry.
The inn now offers quality pub food and à la carte dining in the restaurant. It is self-contained and provides beef, game, herbs, and vegetables.
Almost all East Indian merchant ships called at the Ferry House Inn. The building had two stairways, one leading to the rooms used by the seamen, and the landlady stood at the bottom of the stairs so no one could escape payment.
In 1854, there was a report of a local man named Coleman who tragically drowned. His boat capsized in the Swale estuary.
In 2020, speaking to Kent online, the owners of The Ferry House Inn, Mr and Mrs Burden, expressed their pride in the inn’s transformation. They stated, “The evolution of The Ferry House over the last 20 years has been nothing short of remarkable, and we’re incredibly proud of where we are today.”
"We’re very far from being done, however - there is much more that we want to achieve with our fantastic team.
In September 2024, speaking to Kent Online, the owners revealed their plans to transition The Ferry House Inn into an exclusive wedding and events venue by April 2026. While the restaurant and B&B services will be reduced, the inn will continue to host select ‘pop-up’ dining experiences, taster evenings, and special occasions. This news encourages potential visitors to plan a visit before the changes take effect.
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**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
During a 2004 paranormal investigation, they recorded banging noises from the cellar and captured a photo of a spirit man sitting at a table.
Staff members have reported feeling an unseen presence, maybe the old landlady, watching them while they work and ensuring they do their jobs correctly.
In 2013, the pub held a psychic evening that revealed the inn had many spirits who died tragically in a fire centuries ago. (No facts on this currently found
5. THE ROYAL HOTEL
29 The Broadway, Sheerness ME12
Accommodation B&B, Bar & Restaurant
"Comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, city views, and modern amenities including free WiFi, TV, and work desks. Each room features a walk-in shower, tea and coffee maker, and wardrobe".
**HISTORY**
Owned by Shepherd Neame, the building is a unique piece of history. The renowned Sheppey builder Sir Edward Banks constructed it in 1825; he also built the Crescent and Banks Terrace.
Once a private residence known as ‘‘Kent House’’, the building now stands as a thriving hotel.
The ‘Strand Pleasure Gardens’ were placed around the hotel, and a pavilion served refreshments in the corner of the gardens.
A road in front was added and named Edward Street in honour of Sir Edward Banks; this later became Broadway.
It became a hotel in the 1840s, with a connected licence under John Thomas Smithson, a wine & spirit merchant, so that also welcomed passing trade and tourists, a tradition it has upheld ever since.
In 1881, it was taken over by 45 year old John Hancock, who was also a messman in the Royal Navy and he remained there for 10 years.
In 1891, it fell into the hands of Francis Bower & Son who were also wine and spirit merchants, and they remained there for another decade.
In 2013, Shepherd Neame underwent a £100,000 refurbishment, a thrilling change that may have stirred up other spirits. It was looking for a new licensee to run the business, which included 13 letting rooms and a function room.
In 2015, Shepherd Neame was close to closing it, but it continued with a new tenant and another major refurbishment.
In October 2018, the hotel was featured on the reality show Four in a Bed.
In May 2021, friends Rashmi Dedigama, 28, and Peter Karan, 60, bought it, and it underwent another renovation.
It was put on the market for sale in April 2024 but remains open until sold. The hotel is the only hotel in the town centre, with 17 trading rooms,14 ensuite bedrooms for customers, and three for staff. The listing is no longer available, so I presume it was sold or the owners changed their mind.
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**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
The upstairs part is said to be haunted by the ghost of an old lady. Witnesses have reported seeing her ghostly figure sitting on her favourite sofa.
The hotel cellar is also said to be haunted, but the building is said to have many spirits, most of whom are children.
In September 2017, local clairvoyant Charlotte Clark held a spook school in the hotel’s back room. She used her crystal ball to track down ghosts hiding upstairs in the bedrooms.
6. THE RED LION
61 High St, Blue Town Sheerness ME12
Bar & Bar Snacks
Next to the dockyard and in a quiet area of Bluetown. A Free house with one handpump serving either Sharp's or St Austell beers. Outside area with tables and a heated, covered smoking area.
**HISTORY**
The Red Lion, a cornerstone of the Historic naval town of Sheerness, is one of the oldest surviving public houses in the area and stands as a testament to our local history.
Surviving the test of time, The Red Lion provided lodgings for the docks’ seamen and is one of the few remaining buildings in Blue Town. It is said to have been built in the 18th Century, and there is also mention of “The Swan” and the “White Swan” that may have been next door.
Before Blue Town, Dockworkers and their families would live on the Hulks in the Estuary. They suffered greatly from the cramped, poor conditions. Each worker was allowed to carry one piece of wood, no longer than 3 feet, out of the dockyard, and they built themselves cabins around the storehouses. They painted them blue with naval paint, and the area became known as ‘Bluetown’, but conditions were no better than the Hulk’s. In 1765, malaria became a major problem.
The barracks were built in the latter part of the 18th Century, and the remaining workers were evicted from the cabins and moved into the Barracks. However, a fire 20 years later destroyed some other remaining buildings.
In the 1800s, the Red Lion served as a meeting place for the area's Freemasons, adding a layer of intrigue to its historical significance.
In 1827, a dockyard wall was erected, and prisoners were used for work. The dockyard was closed to the local men. The lack of work led to ex-dockers drinking, and fighting became a big problem.
Every other building was a drinking establishment, and every third house a brothel. This continued throughout the Century, with Bluetown being the poorest area.
By the 1950s-60s, the last remaining houses had been demolished, and the dockyard had closed, so people left the area to seek work elsewhere. Shops closed, and the area was left to decay. Only a few old buildings remain today.
Aiden & Jeanette Christie currently run it, and they also run the Albion bar in Blue Town.
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**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
It is one of the area’s oldest pubs and has one of the longest haunted pasts. Some believe it was haunted by the ghost of a former prostitute and her beloved dog.
Paranormal investigators who visited this pub reported phantom footsteps, and some even felt seasickness while they were there, adding to the pub’s eerie reputation.
Others have reported phantom hoofbeats and bells mysteriously ringing on their own.
7. SHURLAND HOTEL
79-81 High St, Eastchurch, ME12
Accommodation, Bar & Restaurant
"You can enjoy a scrumptious breakfast whilst staying at The Shurland Hotel. Don’t want to miss out on your regular exercise regime, visit our well-equipped gym and spa. Have your favourite drink at our well stocked bar or indulge yourselves in a delicious home cooked meal in our contemporary restaurant."
**HISTORY**
In 1800, the parish’s population was less than 400 people. Half lived in the 30 or 40 houses in the village, while the remaining 200 were spread throughout the local agricultural community.
The area is said to have “a history steeped in stories of piracy and smugglers”. The most famous being at Warden Manor, once the home of Sir John Sawbridge, a respectable magistrate who dabbled in smuggling in the late 18th Century. He cleverly incorporated a pigeon loft in the house, observed from the smoking room, and the smuggling vessel released a homing pigeon and dumped the contraband overboard at the mouth of a nearby creek. The tide swept the barrels in, and the cooing messenger warned the magistrate to collect the goods before anyone else found them.
The hotel, with its roots dating back to around 1830, was originally known as The ‘Crooked Billet’. This establishment has a rich history, steeped in the stories of the local community.
Situated on the High Street in the village of Eastchurch, which means Church East of the Mother Church at Minster.
At the site of what is now the Crooked Billet Garden, there was a piece of triangular rough ground where the road split. This is where the stocks may have existed many years before the building did. The garden, with its unique history and potential ties to the village’s past, is now a peaceful and picturesque spot for guests to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Undergoing several alterations and renovations since its inception, the hotel has evolved with the times. Its name changed to The Shurlands Hotel in the 20th Century, a testament to its adaptability and commitment to providing a comfortable stay.
It was last at auction in Mar 2016 and went through a significant refurbishment, giving it a contemporary feel. It was promoted with 16 individually appointed en-suite guest bedrooms: two suites, one with a four-poster bed and jacuzzi spa bath, a spacious family room that sleeps 5, one single room, and a combination of double and twin rooms. The hotel also offers free access to the Gym, Sauna, steam, and Jacuzzi, ensuring a comfortable and relaxing stay for all guests.
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**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
Over the years, staff members and guests have reported hearing strange noises throughout the hotel, such as banging on the walls and footsteps across the roof, but nobody is there.
One publican’s partner claimed to have seen a little girl, aged around 8-9, appear at the foot of a bed in one of the rooms.
In 2011, a blog started reporting the paranormal activity there.
Guests and staff have reported a range of eerie occurrences, from light switches turning on in room 1 after being switched off to the door unlocking and opening in room 2 for no apparent reason. Items have been known to disappear and reappear elsewhere, and Room 7 is said to have a perpetual chill, regardless of the weather outside. Even the cellar is not immune, with toilet rolls being thrown at a Barman and the light turning back on when switched off.
It gained worldwide coverage after CCTV footage showed potential poltergeist activity. One such video shows a pint of beer sliding across a table without being touched and smashing onto the floor. However, many theories, both paranormal and non-paranormal, explain this, including drafts, uneven surfaces, or even a staged event. The hotel’s history and the reported sightings, however, continue to fuel the belief in its paranormal activity.
8. CHARISMA COCKTAIL BAR
2, High St, Minster on Sea ME12
Bar & Restaurant
"Offers a vibrant and inviting atmosphere for cocktail enthusiasts and casual diners alike. With a diverse menu featuring expertly crafted cocktails and a selection of delicious small plates, this eatery is perfect for a night out"
**HISTORY**
The name Minster Town, a testament to its rich heritage, comes from the monastery founded in the area. The historically significant ‘Minster Abbey’ is situated near the Charisma Cocktail Bar.
Widowed Queen Sexburgha founded the Abbey in 664 AD. The nuns may also have used the area around the Nunnery. Over time, the Abbey suffered damage. The abbeys were dissolved at the Reformation, and Minster Abbey became Crown property. It became a private house until, in 1937, Benedictine nuns bought it from St Walburga’s Abbey in Eichstätt, Bavaria, as a refuge from persecution and became a dependent Priory.
The Victorian inn, previously known as the King's Arms, was located at 68 Minster Road, now called High Street.
It has been reported that “King’s Arms” was the scene of a tragedy in the 1780s when Richard Scoales blew himself up on Guy Fawkes Night. I have been unable to find facts on this, but he may have been part of the Local Militia, would hold regular meetings there in the late 18th century,
After refurbishment and new management in 2016, the pub reopened. However, by 2019, it was closed again and put up for auction. Eventually, Paul Newton & Jodie Turner bought it, marking a new chapter in its history.
It has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a Victorian inn to Sheppey’s first cocktail bar. The entire establishment is now gilded, from the tables to the bar, adorned with lions, gorillas, snakes, and pineapples. The toilet walls are rendered in glittering honeycomb tile, and water is dispensed from a golden swan’s beak. In July 2020, it received its first 5* food hygiene rating, a testament to its new identity and high standards.
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**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
Rumours say it’s haunted by a nun, adding a layer of mystery and intrigue to its history. Because the pub is close to the Abbey, the nuns likely used the grounds at some point, so she may be the same one said to haunt the Abbey. Delicate phantom footsteps have been heard upstairs, and patrons in the pub downstairs could hear them too.
9. THE SHIPWRIGHT ARMS
Hollow Shore, Faversham, ME13
Bar & Restaurant
"Just an old fashioned family run pub, serving real ales straight from the cask, with home cooked food available at certain times.
No background music, no gaming machines, so just the place for a quiet pint in the unique interior of the pub, or in our wild life friendly creek side garden with views over the marsh - and perhaps a conversation with friends".
**HISTORY**
Originally Hollow Shore was named ‘Holy Shore’ by a Viking King.
The Shipwright Inn sits in an isolated setting among marshland and mudflats, on the Saxon shore way. Its white, weather-beaten, boarded exterior is visible from some distance. It has a single bar, the interior being adorned with nautical fittings. The pub is full of character, with low beamed ceilings, narrow doorways, and plenty of places to hide and have a quiet drink.
The building is said to be over 300 years old, although traces of an earlier building dating back to the thirteenth century remain. Most of its history has disappeared, so little is known before the pub got its first Licence in 1738, although it could have functioned as an Inn well before that, or possibly as a fisherman’s cottage.
The inn is believed to have a colourful past—the perfect remote place for smugglers and pirates. John Ward, born in Faversham, flourished between 1603 and 1615 as the biggest pirate of his day.
Fishermen and sailors, over time, all used the Thames estuary. They stopped at the inn to refresh themselves while waiting to go up the Creek to Faversham to unload. In those days,
It is said it was also quite normal for an Inn to provide certain ‘feminine comforts’. One time, when the pub was a revenue cutter station, this would not have gone down well with those gentlemen and their ‘Ladies of the night’, who preferred their illicit activities to go unnoticed.
The pub has always had links to the maritime agencies, and the current landlord keeps up the tradition by acting as a ‘reporting member’ to the coastguard.
There is a report of a sea captain said to have died at the Shipwrights’ Arms at Hollow Shore while lugging a huge piece of iron ashore – sometimes thought to be the fire back in the grate by the bar.
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**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
During the Winter months, on cold, stormy nights, numerous customers and staff at the Shipwrights Arms have witnessed paranormal occurrences, including a thick-set Victorian sailor wearing a large, thick coat and peaked hat, with red, glowing eyes. A sudden drop in temperature is usually felt just before the apparition manifests, and after it disappears, there is usually an overwhelming smell of rum, tar, and tobacco.
Another ghost reported is a seaman, off a ship that sank in the Swale on a cold winter's night. He made it to land, and after trudging through the mudflats, he made his way up to the lights of the Inn. Exhausted, he banged on the door asking for help. The landlord refused to open the door at such a late hour, fearing smugglers or pirates and shouted at him to leave. The next morning, the landlord found the sailor's dead body on his doorstep, and it is said that, since then, the sailor’s spirit has remained, and many of the Landlords of the inn have heard banging on the door in the early hours and, upon investigation, found no one there.
One female publican reported waking over many nights to the ghost of the Captain standing at the bottom of her bed, glaring at her with his bright red eyes.
Another former publican reported being awoken one cold winter night to find a ghost had climbed into bed with him; it disappeared after several seconds.
An apparition has also been seen in a small room that is adjoining the bar. Many customers have been startled when a bearded ghostly figure suddenly enters the room, then vanishes right in front of them. It has also been reported that a strong smell of decay preceded the apparition.
Orbs are regularly seen in the public bar area, and they also say, " If you sit in the corner seat by the small fire, you might feel just a little bit cold, even on the warmest day
CURRENTLY CLOSED
THE GEORGE INN
76 London Road, Teynham, ME9
In May 2026 plans have been submitted to close the inn and turn this grade II listed building into flats, citing rising costs and struggling business as the cause.
Read Kent Online article HERE
**HISTORY**
The Charters of 798 to 801 and Domesday Monachorum – a series of Domesday-related texts kept at Canterbury Cathedral – mention it as Teneham, Taenham, Tenaham and Tenham. In the Domesday Book of 1086, the name occurs as "Therham"
In 1590, William Lambarde wrote his book Perambulation of Kent, in which Tenham is called ''the towne of ten houses''. He also notes that in 1533, 105 acres of good ground in 'Brennet' (a former name of Tenham) were divided into ten parcels of land to grow fruit for King Henry, and thus the village is one of the earliest in which the cherry was grown in Kent and England.
By 1848, Teynham had a population of 845 people.
A remarkable Roman sculpture of the god Triton, half man and half fish, was discovered close to the line of the Roman A2 road at Teynham in 2023
London Road was formerly called 'Greenstreet.'
The ''George Inn'' is a high street countryside pub within Teynham's large village with a history spanning over four centuries. Records show the historic boozer was built in 1652 as a coach house for pilgrims travelling between London and Canterbury, with its sloping internal ceiling with old beams.
The first licensee on record was William Terry in 1740.
28 September 1768, Daniel Stoddard's Post-Chaises was ready to run on East Kent Road at nine pence per mile. The George became a stopping place for coaches and later buses (the Sittingbourne to Greenstreet bus stopped outside)
There are some old photographs of the pub and a picture of the village fire handcart, which were still in use in 1916.
But by the 1950s, it had reverted to being a pub after its stables and outbuildings were either demolished or transformed into garages, stores, and a kitchen.
The Inn closed and re-opened in 2002 with Peter Gomm as the Landlord. In 2006, it changed its name to 'The George and New Territories,' with a pub and his wife, Oi Lin Wong, launching a Chinese restaurant in part of the building.
In 2022, it went back on the market when Mr Gomm decided to retire at age 68 but was withdrawn when it didn't sell for the asking price at auction, so he still runs it with his wife. Mr Gomm also claims developers wanting to transform the London Road structure into homes have expressed interest in the site, but he only wants to sell it to someone intent on continuing to run the popular business, adding that its takings will rocket if previously approved plans for a B&B in its pub garden are revived.
**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
It has had some ghostly manifestations over the years, including two old people chatting in what used to be the snug. One customer who sat in the snug overheard them. He reported that the conversation ended when the back door closed on them, and they left. There is no history of who these two are. However, they are said to speak with a local accent.
The Old House At Home
158/160 High Street, Mile Town, Sheerness ME12
June 2026, plans have been submitted to turn the pub into a nursery.
Read Kent Online article HERE
**HISTORY**
The modern town of Sheerness has its origins in Mile Town, established later in the 18th century a mile from the dockyard (Blue Town having by then filled the available space). Sheerness grew from the Dockyard, which began as a fort built in the 16th century to protect the River Medway from naval invasion.
In 1665, the Navy Board first laid plans for Sheerness Dockyard, a facility where warships could be provisioned and repaired.
Samuel Pepys, then Clerk of the Acts of the Navy, favoured the site for Shipbuilding. After the raid on the Medway in 1667, the fortification was strengthened. Two years later, the Royal Navy established a dockyard in the town. Warships were stocked and repaired until its closure in 1960.
The Pub that stands there today may well have started as a shipwright's house, before becoming an inn.
The pub's history records from 1862 to 1934 show it was a family-run business, with all licensees under the Name of Tunsley (a name also associated with the Shipwright Occupation).
**PARANORMAL ACTIVITY**
It is reported to have a ghost or ghosts in residence, who are blamed for moving furniture around the place and making eerie noises upstairs. Owners have reported being thrown out of bed in the middle of the night by an unseen entity.
A barmaid reported being hit on the head by a thrown barrel top when she entered the cellar, and she was the only person down there at the time.