THANET DISTRICT
HAUNTED HOSTELRIES
A listing of Public houses, Taverns, Old Coaching Inns, Tap & Beer Houses, Cafes, Tearooms, Restaurants, Hotels & B&Bs in the Thanet 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 CROWN INN
Ramsgate Road, Sarre, Birchington CT7
Accommodation, Bar & Restaurant
Built in 1492, the Crown In is steeped in history. A condition of the license was that it must always sell cherry brandy, made to a 17th century Huguenot recipe, at the pub - hence its more popular title of the ''Cherry Brandy House''. Open all day, every day, the "Crown Inn" has much to offer, from fine food and accommodation to a wide selection of ales and wines and the friendliest of welcomes. (No Cherry Brandy sold now, though, apparently.)
The Grade II listed ( October 1963) building boasts an impressive history. It is thought to have started life as a coffee house.
The façade of the inn proudly bears the names of famous individuals who have graced its halls, including Rudyard Kipling, Ellen Terry, Charles Dickens, and Sir George Robey. It's said that Charles Dickens even wrote part of Pickwick Papers within these walls, adding to the rich literary history of the Crown Inn.
It is one of the many pubs throughout southern England with a 'priest hole', a secret hiding place used by Roman Catholics during a period of persecution. One staircase can be accessed only from a bedroom that is said to have once been used to conceal smuggled goods, a practice common during the period of high taxation on imported goods.
In August 1989, the Crown Inn underwent a significant six-month £500,000 refit. The work, which included the addition of 10 letting rooms, a dining room, and a kitchen, and a complete upgrade of the pub's existing facilities, was a testament to a commitment to providing the best experience for visitors. To preserve the character of one of Kent's most historic pubs, brewers Shepherd Neame took photographs of the bar areas to help them return all its ornaments to their old positions after the work was finished.
The pub's feature is its autographed photographs collection of stage and screen stars from the 1920s and 30s, a testament to its popularity in the entertainment industry during that era.
**HAUNTINGS**
A smuggler was said to have been killed in the pub in the early 1800s. His ghost was seen on numerous occasions, with seafaring clothing of that period, surrounded by a strong odour of rum. The mystery of his death remains unsolved, adding to the pub's intriguing history.
2. THE NORTHERN BELLE
4 Mansion Street, Margate, CT9
Bar & Restaurant
The Northern Belle was previously known as the Waterman's Arms. Tucked away in a quiet back street, just a short walk from the harbour and said to have been around since 1680 and Margate's oldest alehouse.
When Shepherd Neame owned it, it was described as a series of small rooms with a narrow bar, low beams hung with small pewter pots, and a wooden floor. Simple pleasures were available, such as pub games and a local community spirit.
The pub was yet another known for being used by smugglers.
An American ship called the ''Northern Belle'' sank just off the Margate coast on January 5, 1857. It had set out from New York, crossing the Atlantic, only to run into trouble at Thanet, so close to its destination of London. At 3 am, on a bitter-cold morning, it became apparent that a ship was in some peril in local waters near the little harbour of Broadstairs. The boat was cast ashore on a dangerous ledge of rocks below the Foreness Point at Kingsgate, between Broadstairs and the coast of Margate. On seeing the plight of the Northern Belles crew, the Coastguard had sent a warning to Broadstairs; despite the severe conditions prevailing, the Mary White and Culmer White lifeboats were hauled overland by a horse-drawn trailer to a point where they could launch safely. No lives were lost thanks to heroic rescue efforts in blizzard conditions. Another ship, however, sank en route to the scene, the Margate lugger "Victory" lost with its crew. The Victory had set sail to help the stricken ship, struck by a tremendous sea and capsized. All 9 of the crew perished within sight of hundreds of the town's people, watching from the shore and cliff top.
After the event, the Watermans Arms became the "Northern Belle," and timber salvaged from the shipwreck was used to renovate the pub. The original wooden beams and davits, which became bar posts, are still visible today, having been used as part of renovations—lending the Northern Belle an extra edge as Margate's most historic hostelry.
During the Second World War and the Cold War years, the pub was a popular haunt for American airmen stationed in the area. It served as a place of respite and camaraderie for these servicemen, adding another layer to the pub's rich history.
Landlords Ray and Sharon Summers ran it for five years before they returned the keys to brewer Shepherd Neame in April 2021. It then ran for a short time as the Cambodian kitchen, but it closed in October 2022.
The Northern Belle has been revived thanks to the investment and dedication of Neville and his partner Lee. They have been part of the Thanet community since 2014 and have fond memories of Margate from their childhood. Their decision to invest in the pub and reopen it is a testament to their love for the area and their commitment to preserving its history.
They have been involved in project and property management in Kent and London. After a four-month renovation, they have invested in the building with some friends to reopen the pub, upstairs accommodation and kitchen area. The official relaunch took place on September 15 2023
**HAUNTINGS**
A proprietor, Robert Edward Brockman, first recorded this ghost in 1869.
A few who drowned on the Victory ship had used this pub and are said to haunt the inn.
Over the centuries, numerous witnesses have reported sightings of a ghostly figure at the Northern Belle. Described as a woman with a wispy white form, deathly pale, and wearing a white shroud, she is said to drift through the cellars, bars, and rooms above the pub. These haunting tales add a mysterious allure to the pub's history.
3. THE GEORGE & HEART HOTEL
44 King St, Margate CT9
Accommodation, Pub & Restaurant
The George & Heart House is one of Margate's oldest pubs, near the 'Tudor House' and opposite Love Lane and King Street. Formally called the ''George Inn', then the ''George Hotel'',
Symond's Brewery of Ramsgate owned the pub. In 1833, it sold the business and pub to Francis Cobb and Son, another brewery in Ramsgate (Cobbs was founded in 1673).
It's fascinating that the George & Heart House was once a coaching inn with livery stables next door. In the mid-1800s, the stables became Swinford's Yard and then Reeves Mineral Water Factory.
One of the most striking features of the 'George Hotel' was the portrait of George IV, portrayed in full Coronation robes, adorning its wall., a connection to the historical figure who once graced the past.
Despite the adversities, the George & Heart House stood strong. In 1943, part of King Street was destroyed when a bomb hit Holy Trinity Church, and the hotel suffered damage. But it was not the end.
In 1953, the 'George Inn' suffered further damage when it was flooded during the devastating 1953 Storm. The floodwaters reached a height of about 5 feet inside the building, causing significant damage to the pub's interior.
Whitbread Brewery took over Cobbs in early 1968 and closed the brewery, and the pub is said to have closed around the same time.
In 2006, further damage occurred from an arson attack.
Parts of the stables were still standing until 2011 when the Mews cottages were built from the back of the "George" to the entrance of the College Centre, the site of Bloxhams Green.
The green was later to become the site of Margate College, and the area was named after George Bloxham, who also ran the "George" pub in the late 1700s.
The inn closed again in February 2010, marking another significant change in the pub's long history.
It was refurbished in 2016 and turned into The Ambrette Indian Restaurant, but today, it is back into a traditional pub and restaurant after the former Indian restaurant moved to Fort Hill, just down the road.
**HAUNTINGS**
Previous tenants and owners have described seeing a woman dressed in late 19th or early 20th Century clothing. (another report put a theory that it was an elderly female who died in a bomb blast in WWII, but no records were found of civilian bomb deaths in that area, and the clothing doesn't match) No further information or names was found.
4. WALPOLE BAY HOTEL
Fifth Avenue, Cliftonville, CT9
Accommodation, Bar & Restaurant
The Walpole Bay was a prestigious Hotel built in 1914, extended in 1927, and lovingly restored to its former glory by the Bishop Family since then. It was built by Louisa Budge and stayed with her family until 1995, when her Grandson passed it to the Bishop family.
The Bishop family's vision for The Walpole Bay Hotel is to be a place to stay and a living museum. They planned to engulf the hotel with memorabilia, documentation, and educational displays on the history of the Hotel and the Isle of Thanet, with its 26 miles of sandy beaches, geological features, and archaeological remains. This unique approach to hospitality ensures that every guest leaves with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the hotel and the area's rich history.
It is said that "from the moment you enter The Walpole Bay Hotel, you step back to the ambience of a bygone era".
The Walpole Bay Hotel is not just a place to stay, but a destination in itself. It boasts spacious lounges, 2 bars, a flower-decked veranda, an Edwardian restaurant, a snooker room, a 1920s Ballroom, and its original sprung maple dance floor. These unique features and amenities ensure that every guest has a memorable and enjoyable stay.
The Walpole's 1927 Otis Trellis gated lifts serve all five floors and are the centrepiece of their Museum. All the rooms have sea views. Room 308, with its proven track record in curing writers' block, is just one example of the unique accommodations The Hotel offers. In fact, The Hotel has announced it offers 'novelist in residence' grants in complimentary accommodation, a testament to the inspiring environment it provides.
The hotel is open as a museum during the day. Still, you can also visit for lunch or afternoon tea or stay for dinner and a bed for the night while checking out the other haunted areas of Thanet.
The hotel's website lists many films that have used it as a location. It also has a Napery Gallery, where art created by visitors on the hotel's napkins is displayed around the hotel. Some of the art was done by well-known artists, including Hollywood director Arnold Schwartzman, whose father was once the head waiter and then Manager of the Hotel.
It is undoubtedly a unique place to visit and stay! It is definitely on the bucket list!
It was featured on the TV Hotel Inspector with Alex Polizzi in 2009 and 2012 and has been on TV on various other occasions, which can seen on their website HERE
**HAUNTINGS**
Several ghost investigations have been held at the hotel and Room 310, which is alleged to be haunted.
Many other spirits were wandering the hotel, and during investigations, strange feelings and unusual noises, good and bad, were heard in the downstairs ladies' toilets.
An investigator heard a whistle and a piano playing in the ballroom area.
Communication with the spirit was said to have been made on several occasions throughout the investigations. A previous female owner of the hotel, maybe Louisa Budge herself, no doubt loved the fact that the hotel has been kept as a museum rather than modernized or demolished, like so many other old hotels.
5. THE ALBION INN
St Peter's Park Rd, Broadstairs CT10
Bar & Restaurant
The Albion Inn, a place steeped in history, is nestled on the boundary between Broadstairs and St Peters. Once a quaint village, the St Peter's area became part of Broadstairs in 1841, marking a significant shift in its identity.
What was once a farmhouse on this site transitioned into an inn, a unique historical shift that adds a distinct charm to The Hogs Head's story. The farmhouse was eventually demolished, and the land was sold, paving the way for the inn's evolution.
This building dates back to around 1855.
The pub closed around 2009 but opened again, this time under the name Little Albion Inn to distinguish it from the town's 'Albion Hotel.''
Albion was the name of Britain during the Roman period of occupation. The locals knew it as Albus, Latin for white, after the chalk cliffs along the south coast.
In July 2018, the name changed to Hogs Head, but it was closed again due to noise complaints, and the landlord left the premises.
Undeterred by the challenges, the pub re-opened on 7 October for the festival period, under the temporary management of Mike from the adjacent Four Candles micro-pub opposite it. The pub, now back to its original name, has been transformed into a tidy, uncluttered space with a plain interior in the bar and the smaller side room not in use. Despite the setbacks, the pub has remained open, a testament to its resilience and the community's support.
**HAUNTINGS**
There have been reports of unexplained patches of dampness frequently appearing on the pub's stone floors. These eerie shapes, which are said to resemble a man and a child, have no known history. However, it has also been reported that cakes, biscuits, cream cakes, and even large pork pies disappeared when these shapes were seen, adding a touch of mystery to the pub's atmosphere.
Other unexplained happenings, such as reports of electric kettles switching on and starting to boil and a vacuum cleaner abruptly turning on after being left unplugged for days, add a sense of intrigue and curiosity to the establishment's story.
6 CAPTAIN DIGBY
Whiteness Rd, Kingsgate Broadstairs CT10
Bar & Restaurant
The land was the site of a former pilgrims' Bede House'. Lord Holland built some buildings at Kingsgate Bay on the Isle of Thanet coast. Holland, the father of Charles Fox, had built a house here in the 1760s, and several follies were nearby.
North of Lord Holland's house stands The Captain Digby Inn, a historical gem originally built between 1763 and 1768. It served as a hub for Lord Holland's guests, offering a place for drinking and entertainment, with lodgings separate from the grand Holland House, located some hundred yards to the south.
The name Captain Digby comes from Robert, a nephew of Lord Holland who commanded a warship of the English fleet in 1759.
When Lord Holland died, he left a sum of money so the customers could drink Captain Digby's health every year. Another order in his will was money to provide every young woman within the parish about to give birth with a bottle of wine. Sadly, both these provisions lapsed through the years!
The Battle of Botany Bay happened nearby in 1769 when Revenue men ambushed Joss Snelling and his gang as the smugglers unloaded their booty. Snelling and four others escaped through an opening in the cliffs. A riding officer was shot on the cliffs and taken to the pub, where he died from his wounds.
Beneath the inn is an extensive subterranean cavern reputed to have been used by local Kingsgate smuggler Joss Snelling and his infamous gang.
Up to a few years ago, one could reach the beach below by going through a trap door in the cellar.
By 1797, the 'Kentish Gazette' records that the tenant, Mr Herbert, welcomed numerous guests from all the Thanet towns arriving by horse at the 'Noble Captain Digby'. His infamous words upon people leaving were, "Haste ye come back again!"
On 18th October 1816, the more significant part of Captain Digby fell over the cliff in a severe storm. A gentleman's magazine of that date reports, "The Noble Captain Digby fell into the sea, except part of one wing where a servant boy slept".
The last remains of the 'Noble Captain Digby', a flint gazebo situated right on the cliff's edge, fell into the sea below during the winter.
The flint rubble was used to build flower planters in the gardens at 'The Pavilion' on Viking Bay, Broadstairs.
After the storm, Captain Digby was rebuilt in the same style. Yards away from the original site, in the stables of the original house.
In 1823, licensee Richard Hill and his wife were in court for a conspiracy to defraud the revenue by taking in Contraband. They had, several times, offered bribes to the coastal blockade officer to ignore the illegal landing of contraband goods and on 24th July, they offered him £3 to assist in landing 20 tubs, which he consented to and at the moment gave the alarm, when the whole cargo fell an easy prey to the coast blockade. After a trial, Mr Justice Bayley pronounced judgment. - "I shall relieve Elizabeth Hill at once, on account of the state of her health; the court is not disposed to inflict any personal punishment, but Richard Hill, her husband, must enter into his recognizance in £100, for her good behaviour for five years.— Richard Hill, you had a license from the Magistrates. Yet, you are guilty of this grave offence. You are to be imprisoned in St. Augustine, near Canterbury, for six months in the House of Correction and pay a fine of £50.
In January 1857, a ferocious storm forced the American ship, the Northern Belle, to anchor off the North Foreland. Despite the crew's best efforts, the intensity of the gale pushed the vessel onto the rocks. Miraculously, the crew, who had lashed themselves to the rigging, were rescued and brought to the 'Captain Digby Inn' at Kingsgate. Here, they found refuge and care, aiding in their swift recovery. (see the next pub, The Northern Belle, for more details)
The present-day building has undergone several alterations, such as the addition of the restaurant in 1973.
**HAUNTINGS**
It is said that the revenue man, who Snelling and his gang murdered here, still haunts within the pub, along with a manifestation of Snelling himself, whom witnesses have described as being a chubby older man surrounded by a Putrid odour.
7 THE CHAPEL AKA THE BREWDOG AT THE BOOKSHOP
44-46 Albion Street Broadstairs CT10
Bar & Restaurant
The town was initially called Bradstowe (sometimes spelt 'Bradstow'). The name evolved into Broadstairs because of the broad "Chapel Stairs" that once led up from the beach to St Mary's Chapel.
The medieval chantry chapel is sited alongside a shrine to Our Lady of Bradstow. The shrine would have once stood alone, and local legend has it that it was a landmark for ships, and they would lower their topsails in salute as they passed this spot. The shrine was destroyed by a tidal wave a few years after the storm of 1500.
Over time, the Chapel has undergone significant changes. In 1601, it was adapted for Protestant worship, a reflection of the religious shifts during the Reformation. Henry VIII, in his suppression of the Chantry Chapel, made it the private property of Sir John Culmer, a key figure in the early Congregationalist movement.
In 1691, the Chapel once again became a public place of worship.
The Chapel contains an early 17th-century five-light stone mullioned and transomed window and a stone medieval arch at the top of an entrance immediately to the west. It was Grade II listed in September 1974.
In 1825-28, the Chapel was repaired and rebuilt mainly by local patron Mary Goodwin.
It now merges with contemporary buildings on a busy street.
Previous to the 'Albion second-hand bookshop', which still makes up much of its interior décor.
The beautiful arched windows upstairs bathe the upper balcony in the light.
In 2012, the Chapel was given a new lease of life by Julian Newick, who also owns the Lifeboat Ale And Cider House in Margate. He transformed the space, combining the charm of a bookstore with the conviviality of a full bar, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere.
This did cause a stir for some. An archaeological surveyor dispelled fears that consecrated remains are still buried in 'the crypt' below the Chapel. "The crypt is, in fact, an air-raid shelter, according to the survey, although possibly constructed on part of the former tomb. All remains would have been removed before construction," says the report. He also uncovered a rotting pile of ammunition.
Just a Stone's throw from the Magnificent Viking Bay, the Chapel is ideal after a day on the beach. In the cold, you can warm yourself in front of the wood-burning stove. It is definitely a quirky place to visit.
**HAUNTINGS**
While no paranormal activity has been officially recorded, the owner has shared that staff members have reported uneasy feelings when alone in the Chapel. With its rich history and the potential for lingering spirits, the Chapel certainly piques the curiosity of those interested in the supernatural. Perhaps an investigation is in order!
8. THE ARTILLARY ARMS
36 West Cliff Rd, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11
Bar & Snacks
The Artillery Arms, an end-of-terrace pub, is a unique establishment with a rich history. Originally known as the "Ash Arms," it dates back to the early 19th Century and was granted a Grade II listing in October 1972. The pub's lead bow windows, adorned with scenes of soldiers and guns from the Napoleonic Wars in France, are a sight to behold.
It became fully licensed in 1867 and may have existed as a beerhouse before that date.
It was used at some point as both an officers' mess and a brothel.
By 1881, the pub had undergone a significant transformation, becoming the "Artillery Arms," a nod to its association with the Honourable Artillery Company. This company, which began as a guild of archers in 1537, is one of the oldest and most senior regiments of the British Army. Inside the inn, a collection of military caps and helmets serves as a reminder of this rich history.
A sad story of a publican there in 1934 Mr Albert Drapper, Age 24, who was formerly in the Royal Navy, had taken a trip to France. He ''hailed the taxi-cab at the Gare du Nord and told the driver to take him to the Gare de Lyon, the central station for the south of France. The taxi cab was crossing the Place de la Republique when the driver heard a shot. Turning around, he saw Mr Drapper huddled in a corner with a revolver in his hand. He had shot himself in the head and died 3 hours later at the hospital. No further details were reported as to why he did it. (there are Descendents of Mr Drapper who can be contacted, who know the story of his final days)
**HAUNTINGS**
The resident ghost, a man in an early Victorian military uniform, is a mysterious figure often seen leaning against an external wall, silently observing passersby. His presence adds an air of intrigue to the pub's atmosphere.
There is also a female ghostly manifestation that is said to appear on a short flight of steps from the ground floor. She is often seen sitting on the top step, wearing either a long white dress or nightdress and a cotton cap, her ghostly figure adding to the pub's mysterious charm.
9. JOLLY FARMER
3 High St, Manston, CT12
Bar & Restaurant
The Jolly Farmer is a rustic rural pub located in the heart of the community within the village of Manston, near the Kent International Airport.
History has it that the building has previously been a farmhouse and has been a pub since 1639. It was called the "Crown and Anchor," recorded in 1773. Some time afterwards, the pub's name was changed to the "Jolly Farmer. "
It was once a Cobbs brewery-tied house. Cobbs was founded in 1673,
WWII pilots based at Manston Airport used it as a local.
Whitbread took them over in early 1968 and closed the brewery later that year, no doubt taking away the competition!
Taken from a previous website: "A good mix of people who come from near and further afield to this destination food house. The Head Chef offers excellent traditional English homemade cuisine from tempting menus. It has a fantastic range of wines from all over the world to complement your meal or a tasty real ale if you prefer, and you will indeed have time to remember.
If you're lucky, Red Arrows jets can be spotted flying overhead some days!
Debbie and Keith took it over in September 2023, and manager Clare runs it.
**HAUNTINGS**
An old website read, ''Come and meet the staff and our friendly nook ghost, Ena'' (no further information was given about the ghost Ena or any other activity)