TUNBRIDGE WELLS DISTRICT

HAUNTED HOSTELRIES

A listing of Public houses, Taverns, Old Coaching Inns, Tap &  Beer Houses, Cafes, Tearooms, Restaurants, Hotels & B&Bs in the Tunbridge Wells District are reported as being haunted by the visitors of the Past. Some have paranormal events & investigations. There are places 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. We aren't affiliated with these places; we are just sharing the information. If you have any questions regarding bookings, please contact them, not us.
​
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

12. THE CROWN

The Green, Groombridge, TN3

Accommodation B&B, Bar & Restaurant

Situated in the old Groombridge area, across the road from the historic Groombridge Place, this pub dates back to 1585 and has been the home of a ruthless gang of smugglers, ''The Groombridge Gang,'  led by Robert Moreton and John Bowra. The proximity to Groombridge Place, a moated manor house with its own rich history, adds an intriguing layer to the pub's story. 
One of their leaders, John Bowra, was arrested for smuggling tea in 1737 and then disappeared. Robert Moreton continued to lead the gang. By this time, the gang was said to be terrorizing the area, and the situation had escalated to the point where the military was called into Groombridge to restore order, adding a dramatic twist to the story. 
In 1740, the Groombridge gang was implicated in the attack at Robertsbridge on customs men carrying seized tea to Hastings. Their downfall was in 1749 when an informer, Jerome Knapp, betrayed the gang to the authorities, leading to their capture and trial. They were held at Rochester until their trial. John Bowra was said to have returned to the area at some point, built a house in the village, and became a cartographer.

The other accommodation available is four lovely beamed bedrooms, comprising a family room, double, twin, and single. All have hand basins and hot drink-making facilities, and a shared bathroom is on the same level. 
The price includes a full English breakfast.

**HAUNTINGS**
The inn has been frequented in the past by several celebrities and historical figures, one being Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who wrote an article in the Daily Mail in 1927 called "Ghost on the Moat", a fantastic document describing how while out walking with his friend Dr. Carl A. Wickland, of California, a noted psychic investigator and his wife Mrs Wickland, who was a medium. On the day, her personality changed instantly, for that of a ghostly ostler, the spirit inhabitant of a moated Groombridge Place, who worked and died at the Manor. He followed them back to the Crown Pub and spoke through Mrs Wickland; his name was David Fletcher, and he drowned in the moat in about 1808 after being pushed in by someone called Sam. Mrs Wickland passed him on to his dead mother. David departed, but people still report seeing Dave Fletcher, and he was also known to visit the Crown for a tipple.
You can read the complete account of the day's events HERE.

17. THE HALFWAY HOUSE

Horsmonden Road, Brenchley, Kent, TN12

Bar & Restaurant

The Halfway House is situated in the Parish of Brenchley, surrounded by countryside, most of which is in an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' and steeped in history. The pub is a beamed 18th-century inn with lots of different rooms, some big and some small at different levels, a mixture of rustic and traditional furnishings on bare boards, nooks, and crannies filled with old farm tools and other bric-a-brac for decoration, and two log fires. 
The rear wing, the earliest part of The Halfway House, is a unique blend of history and charm. With an extension added later and further renovations over the years, the pub has evolved into a fascinating space. Its original use as a private dwelling, before transforming into an Alehouse and coaching inn, adds to its character. 
It was Grade II listed in August 1990 and was once called 'The Lag' pub. However, the hoppers knew it as 'The Halfway House' because it was halfway between the Honerton hop farm and Brenchley, so at some point, that became its name. 
**HAUNTINGS**
It is said to have also been a morgue at one time in the local area. Hence, there are reports of the sound of dragging boxes, by a former chef who believed this to be what sounded like coffins being dragged around. 
One such story involves Michael Noakes, a regular at The Halfway House for over 50 years. He claims to have seen the ghost of an old lady.
The sound of the barbell, traditionally used to signify closing time, has been heard in the pub even after the bell was removed. This eerie occurrence adds to the mystery and charm of The Halfway House.
Previous landlords and staff members have all had their share of paranormal encounters at The Halfway House. Their personal experiences, from unexplained movements of objects to ghostly sightings, add a human touch to the pub's eerie reputation. 
One time, a staff member cleaned the restaurant and set out the tables for the following day, but upon her return, she found the room displaced, with the tables and chairs all over the place. She had no explanation for the incident, and nothing was heard. 
The staff has also reported seeing glasses and jugs move on their own across the bar and tables. When they investigated, they had no explanation. The tables were dry and stable, so they couldn't have slipped in any way. 
A barman named George Bowles had heard the stories and said that he was once in the cellar and thought he saw something, but other than that, nothing else had occurred with him. 
One landlord, Richard Allen, said he had not personally witnessed anything, but there had been several reports from others, and it seemed to him that there were too many who had had an experience of the paranormal there to pooh-pooh it. 
Ghost Search UK was invited to investigate. Donna Gearing, the lead and a practising Medium, was said to have sensed three male energies in the cellar, two children in the building, the spirit of a woman, and three males. So, it is a busy place with spirits.

18. THE STAR & EAGLE HOTEL

High Street Goudhurst TN17

Accommodation, Bar & Restaurant

The Star & Eagle, a cornerstone of Goudhurst's history, is nestled next to the Parish church. Its roots can be traced back to the 15th Century, and it was bestowed with a Grade II listing in June 1952, a testament to its enduring historical significance. 
In the later centuries, the inn incorporated other buildings next door, such as the Lloyds Bank and the 'Eight Bells Inn' (Grade II listed  Jun-1967).
Internally, there are several bars with beams and an inglenook fireplace.
The original building has played a significant role in local history. It was once an ancient monastery connected to the Cromwell Priory, with tunnels leading to the church. 
The vaulted stonework of the period is still visible in some parts of the building. 
In the 17th Century, it became an Alehouse and then a coaching inn known as 'Black Spread Eagle'. At some point, the name changed to 'Ye Olde Starre and Crowne'.
The inn, once a peaceful abode, became the headquarters of the notorious 'Hawkhurst Gang'. These smugglers, who once terrorized the village and its surroundings, used the inn's winding staircase and massive stone cellars to hide their ill-gotten gains, adding a layer of mystery to The Star & Eagle's history. 
The gang terrorized the villagers of Goudhurst until an ex-army corporal, William Sturt, a native returning from the military, persuaded them to form a militia. There were complaints to the head of the Customs Service in Kent about "their behaviour of taking up arms and frequently rummaging all Houses and Places suspected of harbouring smugglers and are extremely Vigilante in trying to apprehend the Smugglers" (especially with a reward offered for any caught). Their persistence paid off, and they captured three smugglers imprisoned in the Parish Church's vestry to await escort elsewhere. Upon hearing this, the Hawkhurst gang leader Thomas Kingsmill, who also had property in the area for smuggling purposes, threatened the village and sent an ultimatum to the town, 'that if their men were not released at once, they would burn and plunder the town and massacre the populace, so that not one man, woman or child escaped'. At sunrise, on the 21st of April 1747, the second day after their capture, the smugglers came to the help of their comrades. The Vicarage saw the Hawkhurst Gang of outlaws and smugglers on horses approaching the town by the back lane and coming up the hill to the church.  The women and children were sent to a neighbouring village, the Militia were armed and waiting, and the 'Battle of Goudhurst' began. 
During the battle, Sturt strategically placed men as snipers in upstairs windows and the church Tower. A pitched battle ensued outside and in the tunnel between the inn and the church.  The smugglers, who did not anticipate the Militia's strength, were quickly overpowered. This led to the gangs' downfall, with two of their members being killed, one was Thomas Kingsmill's brother George and Wollit, who both received a bullet to the heads. Their deaths marked a turning point in the battle, and the Militia requested a reward of £150 for both. 
A stone in the wall of the churchyard is said to signify the exact spot where one of the Hawkhurst smugglers was killed. 
The authorities arrested and later hanged several of the other outlaws. William Hartnup, found Guilty of 'Stealing non-custom goods', was executed at Maidstone on the 14th of April 1748 & Arthur Gray (the leader) was captured and executed in 1748 for the earlier murder of Thomas Carswell, a revenue officer. 
Thomas Kingsmill, took over. but eventually he was caught and found Guilty of 'Treason' and was executed on the 26th of April 1749 in Tyburn. Both 'Hartnap' and 'Kingsmill' were part of the battle and native to Goudhurst;. Thomas Kingsmill's body was given to the Sheriff of Kent and it was hung in chains on a Gibbet at Goudhurst gore, as did his brother George body, after the battle, two years earlier.
In 1939, it underwent a reconstruction and extension, and the current black-and-white Tudor façade replaced the original half-timbered and brick façade. The pub reopened in 1940 with a new look, and shortly after, the name was changed to the "Star and Eagle."
**HAUNTINGS**
Legend has it that the inn still echoes with the moans and cries of the wounded from the historic battle. These eerie sounds, emanating from the now bricked-up entrance, add a chilling layer of history to The Star & Eagle.  
One solid-looking apparition wearing breeches and holding a pistol is also said to haunt the pub. Could this be the pistol with four notches on it that is now in Maidstone Museum?
Dogs are said to be unhappy with this ghost and bark when they sense it. However, one landlord said a polite "Good morning", and that was enough to send it away.

19. THE BELL & JORROCKS

The Street, Frittenden, TN17

Bar & Restaurant

The Church in Frittenden and the surrounding land, including the Bell Inn, were recorded as part of St Augustine Abbey in Canterbury, marking the village's deep-rooted historical significance. They can all take pride in this rich heritage.

During King Henry VIII's reign, Lord Thomas Cromwell was given land in the village. The 1806 and 1839 tithe maps show that the village of Frittenden consisted of two primary nuclei: the first group near the Church and the other around the "Bell Inn" and the forge. Since then, these two areas have been linked by new buildings. 

During the depression following the Napoleonic War, many left for a new life in America; those who stayed were poor farmers. 

The inn was originally called the Bleu Bell, then 'The Bell', and it started its life as a Hostelry in 1741. The first owners of the pub were the Lepper family, with John Paine as the tenant. It also had a stable and an Orchard attached.

In 1821, it was bought by Samuel Shepherd, a founder of the Shepherd Neame dynasty who held the lease until his death.

In Shepherd's will, the Bell was to be auctioned off. It was owned by several individuals ranging from carpenters to farmers until another large brewer, Fremlins, bought it in 1863. The Bell was leased for 21 years to John Brenchley and Edwin and John Stacey of Maidstone.

The tenancy had changed hands between local brewers, stable keepers, Yeomen, Brewers, carpenters & farmers.  

In 1967, Fremlins was taken over by the brewers Whitbread, and Dive Bearsby retired after 65 years as licensee of The Bell, At this point, plans were made to combine The Bell and the John Jorrocks pubs. The John Jorrocks was closed, and In 1969, the Bell was renamed The Bell & Jorrocks under the tenancy of Phil Oliver, the former tenant of the Jorrocks.

The building was given a Grade II listing in June 1989

Throughout the centuries, the Bell Inn has stood as the vibrant heart of our community. It's where the Coroner held his court of inquest, and Vestry meetings began in the Church, which then adjourned to the Bell to complete business. This shared space has been a part of their collective history, connecting it through generations.  

Over the years, the Bell Inn has seen many changes. A clubhouse was erected at the rear of the Bell in the stables area, and a shop was added in the 19th Century. But in 1880, a divide emerged between the pub, the stables, and the shop next door, marking a new chapter in the Bell's history. 

After the closure of the Frittenden Provident Society in 1939, the Bell continued to be consistently used as a meeting place for many of the village's clubs and social groups, as it is conveniently located in the village's heart. 

The Bell hosted a myriad of activities, from dance lessons to Bowls Club meetings and political gatherings. It was a versatile space that catered to a wide range of community activities, from leisure and recreation to civic engagement. This versatility reflects the vibrancy and liveliness of the community.

A propeller blade from the German Heinkel plane that was shot down just outside the village in 1940 and was hung in the pub, along with a dramatic painting of the event. This incident, which resulted in the death of one crew member and the capture of the other four, is a significant part of the Bell Inn's history.

You can read a more in-depth history of the pub and the people involved with it  HERE

**HAUNTINGS**

Legend has it that a hooded figure with no face haunts the Bell Inn. One landlord even reported that his children, when they were younger, had seen a man leaning over the bed in their bedroom. The figure, they said, had a hood over its head, and no face was discernible. He also reported hearing footsteps from one of the upstairs rooms when no one was up there, adding to the mystery of the Bell's history. 

21. THE ROYAL OAK HOTEL

Rye Rd Hawkhurst TN18

Accommodation B&B, Function Hire, Bar & Restaurant

The village of Hawkhurst, strategically located on the route of a Roman road that crossed the Weald, has a rich history. This road, which would have been used as a coaching route to Rye, is a testament to the area's historical significance. The land on which the village stands once belonged to Battle Abbey, adding another layer of historical depth to the region. 

The Royal Oak, a Grade II listed building since 1967, stands as a unique testament to history. Originally a group of private dwellings from the 16th century, it has transformed into the hotel we know today in 1828,  with Samuel Batchelor as the first recorded licensee. 
The name 'Oaktree' carries a weight of history, often linked to Charles II's escape after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Legend has it that he sought refuge in an oak tree, along with Colonel William Carless, giving rise to the association of 'Oaktree' with bravery and resilience. 
The 'Hawkhurst gang' (1735-1749) were not just famous, but feared. They were said to have used the 'Oak and Ivy' in Hawkhurst as their headquarters. The legendary stories of their activities, including the easy movement of smuggled goods through the tunnels beneath the pub, add an element of intrigue and danger to the pub's history. The tunnels beneath the pub, dug by the Hawkhurst Gang, lead from the 'Oak and Ivy' to Tubs Lake on Cranbrook Road, Four Throws on Sandhurst Road, and the building where the Tudor Rose B&B stands. 
Notorious for being ruthless, farmers were forced to lend them horses. Those who cooperated and left their stable door open on a particular night shared in the fruits, so a gift of Gin or tea would appear the next morning. For those who did not, stables and barns could mysteriously burn down, and informers would be beaten or murdered. 
As with other hostelries, the coroner held his inquests at the pub. one a sad story in 1853 of the suicide of Samuel Reed, who had been accused of theft by his employer, he was dismissed and threatened with legal action. Unable to deal with the consequences, he hung himself. there are also old newspaper reports of a theft of Brandy from the pub, Richard Darnell of Hawkhurst was sentenced to one month hard labour for the crime. 
In October 1862, the Landlord Frank Dive found himself in court for the unlawful assault of Joseph Cogger on 23rd September. He denied the crime and provided a witness and the case was dismissed. 
A devastating fire in 2003 nearly wiped it out but a £1 million investment was made to refurbish it, using construction techniques similar to the ones used when it was originally built.
The building has 12 en-suite rooms, a bar and restaurant area, a beer garden and a car park.
The downstairs décor has remained rustic, with wooden beams and exposed brick walls.
The accommodation provides charming and cosy rooms for a comfortable and relaxing stay. Each room includes a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, Hot drink-making facilities, bed linen, and towels. A hearty breakfast is also included in the price. 
They also have two historically decorated private hire rooms, The Kingsmill & Fairall rooms are perfect for family gatherings or large professional meetings.
It is currently on the market, as the current owners who bought it in April 2023, now want to move on and concentrate on their other businesses, after turning it around into a thriving business, while remaining the hub of the local community. It is up for sale for £765,000. A big differences from 11 January 1869, when it was sold to Frank Dive, for £1,890. This was reported as an increase in value of property, as it was a previously purchased, only a short time before for £1,150, this included part of the meadow, which had then been sold for £300.
I have noticed it doesn't seem to be able to keep owners and has changed owners several times over the past five years.
**HAUNTINGS**
Over the last 50 years, there have been reports of ghostly manifestations there, and one of the rooms was renamed 'the haunted room'. 
A small man who was seen until the 1980s was said to walk through the staff quarters and disappear into a wall. He has been given the name 'George'. He is strongly believed to be the same man who appeared to a landlord's children in Room 22 merely as a pair of staring eyes, followed by a dark shadow drifting across the room, and he is said to have met his death there.