CHEQUERS INN Pub of Farningham

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 22 October, 2025.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1828+

Chequers Inn

Closed |July 2025

87 Dartford Road

Farningham

01322 865222

https://whatpub.com/chequers

Above postcard, circa 1909, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. The sign top left says "Harry Wood ?????? Cricketer."

Above photo, circa 1885, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Harry Wood was born in Dartford in 1853 and played, as a professional, for Kent and later, Surrey, between 1876 and 1900. He also was capped for England and in March 1892, became the first wicketkeeper to score a test century, notching up an unbeaten 134 against South Africa in Cape Town. Harry Wood later stood as an umpire and died in 1919.

Above postcard, circa 1936, kindly supplied by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, 1957, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. People in shot unknown.

Above photo, August 2000, kindly sent by Philip Dymott.

Above photo, December 2012, by Stephen Harris.

Above photo, August 2017, kindly sent by Ian Goodrick.

Above sign 1999.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

(Information below from Brian Brockie, 2017.)

The word 'Chequer' often refers to the wild service tree (sorbus torminalis), the fruit of which was used to make an alcoholic brew - hence the many pubs called 'Chequers' that can be found throughout the Country. The Chequers at Farningham dates back to at least 1828.

This was a tied "Fleet Brewery" pub in 1865 when the brewery was put up for auction.

South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 1 June 1841.

Farningham. Shocking and fatal accident.

On Saturday last a man Hollands, of Stansted, was driving a light van, laden with timber, through Farningham, and not having taken the precautions to put the drag on the wheel, the load overpowered the horse, and caused it to set off at a furious rate down the street. The poor fellow, being anxious to check the animal, clung to his head till he was exhausted and thrown down with much force on the causeway. The unfortunate sufferer was picked up in a dreadful state, his right leg being literally crushed to pieces below the knee, the left leg was also broken. He was removed on a shutter to the "Chequers" public house close to the spot, where he was attended by Messrs. Hunt and Tippet, surgeons, who amputated the legs soon afterwards. The patient survived but a short time after the operation, and expired in great agony. The van was found dashed up against the cottage near the "Lion Inn," with a shaft through the windows. The vehicle was broken to pieces, but the horse was not much hurt. The cottager's wife narrowly escaped, being at the moment opening the door when the van was overturned upon the path, and fell against the house, forcing in the windows. We were very much surprised at the want of charitable feeling displayed at the adjacent public houses in refusing to take in the poor man immediately, without an order from the parochial authorities. Such conduct was most this discreditable to them.

South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 8 June 1841.

FARNINGHAM. CORONER'S INQUEST.

A respectable jury were empanelled before J. N. Dudlow, Esq., coroner, at the "Chequer's" public-house, on Monday, the 31st ult. to investigate the circumstances relative to the death of Christopher Hollands, who was killed on the previous Saturday evening by an accident which we related last week. No additional particulars could be addressed. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

There have been few events in this village that have caused a greater public sensation than the above, in consequence of the evident delay of the parish officers in giving an order for the immediate removal of a man to the public-house, as well as the unfortunate man being inhumanly refused admittance without it. The poor fellow, who was well known in the place, was actually allowed to remain in the street above half an hour, in a pitiable state. Surely humanity ought to have suggested in this case some speedy relief to alleviate the pains of a fellow creature.

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Tuesday 13 December 1842.

DIED.

On the 6th. inst. at Farningham, Mr. Abraham Bevins, aged 68, Landlord of the "Chequers," Farningham.

The deceased was much respected by his neighbours and friends.

Kentish Gazette, 6 August 1850.

Assaulting a Constable.

Richard Turner, for assaulting Thomas Duffield, a constable in the execution of his duty, at Eynsford.

On the 5th July the prosecutor was sent for to the "Chequers" public house, where prisoner was fighting with a man named Smith. The Constable parted them, when the prisoner struck him several violent blows, and again after he was handcuffed. His Lordship sentence the prisoner to 6 months hard labour, upon which he threw up his cap and laughed, and left the bar.

The learner judge ordered him to be brought back, and informed him that from his conduct he must reconsider what was a proper sentence to pass upon him.

Kentish Gazette, Tuesday 18 March 1856.

BANKRUPTS.

John Harvey, Farningham, licensed victualler.

South Eastern Gazette, 17 July, 1860.

CHEQUERS INN, FARNINGHAM, KENT.

THIS compact INN, in the above market town, to be Let, with immediate possession.

Apply to Mr. Wm. Hodsoll, Auctioneer and Valuer, Farningham, Kent.

From the Southeastern Gazette, 17 April 1866.

FARNINGHAM.

On Friday an inquest was held at the “Chequers Inn,” before C. S. Carttar, Esq., coroner, on the body of William Flewin, aged 38, who met with his death while engaged in sinking a well at Fawkham, by being suffocated by the foul air. It appeared that the deceased and two brothers were engaged in the work, and had got to the depth of 205ft. On the day the accident occurred the deceased descended the well without taking the necessary precaution, although cautioned not to do so by his brothers.

Verdict, of “Accidental death.”

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Charlotte Phillips, 21 October 2025.

Villagers support plans to turn The Chequers in Farningham High Street into home.

Plans to turn a former village pub into a five-bedroom house are being reluctantly backed by residents who say it’s time to say goodbye.

The Chequers in Farningham High Street shut in July more than 200 years of trading.

The Chequers Free House in Farningham High Street has permanently shut. Photo: Google.

But despite what some villagers have termed the owner's persistent “creative attempts” to drum up trade it’s failed to make it work and it’s not believed a similar enterprise could be revived.

A sign on the door notifying punters of its closure at the time stated the decision had “not been taken lightly”.

It read: “With greatest sadness, due to a sustained decline in trade and increasing operational costs, it has become unsustainable to continue trading.

“Thank you to those who have supported us over the years."

Now, a change of use application has been submitted to Sevenoaks council to turn the former pub into a residential building only.

The Chequers in Farningham High Street shut in July after 25 years of trading. (25 years? Paul Skelton) Picture: Google Maps.

The two-storey site already has a residential unit on its first floor and second floors, with the plans seeking to transform the ground floor also.

If approved, an open plan living lounge and dining room area would be created.

The existing kitchen at the site would be kept, and the existing toilet area would be turned into a bathroom and shower.

No exterior or internal structural alterations would be made, apart from the removal of the bar.

Existing signage locations on the building would be kept, and access to the building from the corner of the High Street and Dartford Road would not be altered.

The design and access statement says: “The proposed development will preserve the external character and appearance of the building and thus, the contribution it makes to this part of the Farningham conservation area.

“There will be no adverse impact on residential amenity as a result of the development.”

The property is currently listed as an Asset of Community Value on Sevenoaks district council’s register, having been added to the list in 2020 and re-added in 2025.

The plans have received a mixed response, with the majority of villagers supporting the application.

One said: “It has failed as a pub, due to inadequate support, both from the village residents and passers-by.

“It has no dedicated parking, and Farningham High Street is very rarely empty of parked cars, mostly the property of local residents.

“Any attempt to continue as a pub is likely to run into the same problems that have caused its closure”.

Another woman, who has lived in the village for the past seven years, added: “It saddens me deeply to have to recognise that the Chequers is no longer viable as a pub.

“Over recent years, I have seen the number of patrons visiting the Chequers dwindle to an unsustainable level.

“Despite the owner's persistent creative attempts to improve sales and traffic, such as quiz nights, music nights, and community events. People are not coming.

“Unless the council is able to provide tangible, practical, and immediate support to the Chequers as a public house, it would be an unjust action to prevent the owner from repurposing the building for residential use.

“The owner should not be compelled to maintain a failed business at the expense of their ability to use their home.”

However, several people have objected to the plans, with some raising fears over the impact the loss could have on the local community.

One said: “The property is a historical community resource, and I think it's a shame to convert another pub into a house.”

Another added: “This has been the locals' pub for as long as I can remember and is a true asset to the village and its community.

“Farningham High Street is slowly disappearing and needs to be protected. The loss of this pub would be another nail in the coffin for the High Street.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you at the Public Notice Portal.

Farningham Parish Council has also objected to the proposals as it “does not believe the submitted marketing evidence fully demonstrates that it is no longer viable as a business”.

It added that during a meeting on September 24, the applicant stated that the rear garden would be used to provide parking for two to three vehicles – however, this was not mentioned in the submitted plans.

It means there are now two pubs left in the village.

LICENSEE LIST

BEVINS Abraham 1828-Dec/42 dec'd (age 65 in 1841)