Old Jail, Biggin Hill

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Old Jail, Biggin Hill
The Old Jail, Jail Lane, Biggin Hill TN16 - geograph.org.uk - 68643 (cropped).jpg
The Old Jail, Biggin Hill
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Old Jail
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Old Jail
General information
AddressJail Lane, Biggin Hill, Westerham, Kent.
Town or city London
Country England
Coordinates 51°18′55″N0°03′23″E / 51.315222°N 0.0563443°E / 51.315222; 0.0563443
Designations
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameOld Jail Public House
Designated29 June 1973
Reference no. 1064387

The Old Jail was a pub in Jail Lane, Biggin Hill, Westerham, Kent, in the London Borough of Bromley. At this time of writing, (February 2023), it is permanently closed. Its future use is unknown. It is a Grade II listed building, dating back to the 18th century. [1]

Contents

Partial history

The Bromley Borough Local History Society and Biggin Hill History Group assert that it was used to hold French prisoners of war, overnight, during Napolionic times, who were being transported to Maidstone. Also, that it belonged to the 'Fox Brewery', of Green Street Green, which closed, in 1908; and that it was sold by auction on the 15th. June, 1909, to ' Truman, Hanbury and Buxton '.

Licensees & other Titles

(Incomplete):-

{The 1869 Wine and Beerhouse Act made it mandatory for anyone who sold alcohol to hold a licence. This extended to off-licences, an establishment that sold alcohol for consumption off the premises. The title ‘Off-Licence Keeper’ was not used in the census returns, or local trade directories; ‘Beer Retailer’ was the official description: NB: 'William Lewis', below}:-

From The Biggin Hill History Group, (records 33-37); ' Kelly's Directory ', (1903); ' The Dover Kent Archives ', (4/8/'22); https://pubwiki.co.uk/KentPubs/Cudham/OldJailInn.shtml; others stated below:-

One Licensee's Census Information

'Widow(er ? sic: ?)/55/Chevening, Kent; 1861/Thomas/Son, A labourer/24/Downe, (spelt ' Down ', at the time), Kent; Christopher/Son, Gardener/22/Downe; Sarah/Daughter, Housekeeper/20/Downe; Kezia/Daughter/16/Downe; Ann Elizabeth/Daughter/13/Downe, Kent; 1861/Silas/Son, Brewer/26/Downe, Kent'.

Court Case and Sale Newspaper Reports

' COOK v. LEWIS.

The plaintiff, a shoe-maker at Brasted, sought to recover from the defendant, who keeps the “Old Gaol” beer-house, Cudham, £2 10s. 6d., for goods, &c. It appeared that the plaintiff held a shoe club at the defendant's house, and as the defendant had had some trouble with a previous club, he arranged to receive the money from the members and account for them. In the account were also included some charges for work done for the defendant's family, and for carriage hire.

Defendant denied this liability, and said that he had nothing whatsoever to do with the club.

The court was occupied a considerable time in examining various documents, and judgement was ultimately given for £1 18s. 6d '.

' Preliminary Announcement. - By Order of the Mortgagee.

Fully-Licensed Freehold Inn.

Messrs. Barker, Cathie, and Palmer are instructed to Sell by Auction, at an early date (to be announced in future advertisements), the Valuable Freehold Property, known as the "Old Jail Inn" (fully licensed), Cudham, Kent, together with about eight acres of most productive meadow and market garden land in One Lot. - Auction Offices, 13, Hart-street, Bloomsbury, and (pro tem.) 56, Moorgate-street, E.C.'.

Historical Photos

The following link shows further photographic history from 1900-1976:- http://www.dover-kent.com/2014-project-b/Old-Jail-Inn-Biggin-Hill.html

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References

  1. Historic England. "Old Jail Public House (1064387)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 20 November 2016.