DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Maidstone, March, 2026.

Page Updated Maidstone:- Saturday, 07 March, 2026.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1840-

Duke of Marlborough

Open 2026+

27 (25) Union Street

Maidstone

01622 677727

https://whatpub.com/duke-of-marlborough

Above photo 1882.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo 2009 by Chris Whippet Creative Commons Licence.

Above photo 2014.

Above photo, 2026.

Above sign left, stating just the "Marlborough" September 1986. Is this a different pub though? Sign right, March 1994.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Above sign 2003.

With thanks from Roger Pester www.innsignsociety.com

Kentish Gazette, 3 June 1851.

MAIDSTONE.

The "Duke of Marlborough Inn," in Union Street, was discovered in flames on Tuesday morning last, and the house, together with the stabling, were entirely destroyed. Fortunately no lives were lost.

Kentish Gazette, 3 June 1851.

MAIDSTONE.

The "Duke of Marlborough Inn," in Union Street, was discovered in flames on Tuesday morning last, and the house, together with the stabling, were entirely destroyed. Fortunately no lives were lost.

South Eastern Gazette, 29, November 1853.

FOR SALE.

About sixty fine turkeys. For particulars inquire of Mr. Clifford, "Duke of Marlborough Inn," Union Street, Maidstone.

South Eastern Gazette, 01 January 1856.

Thomas Clifford, landlord of the "Duke of Marlborough," Union Street, was charged with having refused to admit the police on tha 23rd ult.

Mr. Goodwin appeared for defendant.

Police-constable Beale stated that having reason to suppose that there were persons in defendants house during divine service, he went there about 11 o'clock in the morning and demanded admission at the front door. Defendant came to the door and refused to admit him. About 10 minutes to 12 witness returned, with Sergeant Hills, who went to the front door while witness went to the back, and found defendant in the yard with a butcher named Pattenden. Witness asked defendant why he refused to open the door, and the latter replied that he should not open it to any one.

In defence Mr. Goodwin stated that his client had directed the police to go round the house and enter by a side door. This was denied by the constable.

Sergeant Hills deposed that in consequence of the information he received from the former witness, he went to the "Duke of Marlborough at ten minutes to 12, and demanded admittance. Witness heard some one inside but could not make out exactly who it was.

By Mr Goodwin:— I would not enter by the beck door; I have often been abused for so doing. I prefer getting in by the front door, and not sneaking in by the back.

Mr. Goodwin said that defendant invariably preserved good order in the management of his business, and called Robert Pattenden, butcher, ot King-Street, in order to prove that no obstacle had been offered by defendant to the entry of the police. Witness stated that he had gone to defendant's house for the purpose of hiring a horse and gig, and that he was in the yard when police-constable Beale came there. Had heard defendant request the constable to enter the house by a side door. No obstacle whatever was offered.

In reply to a question from the Bench, Sergeant Hills stated that persons on a former occasion had been found in defendant's house, but that the offence had been passed over.

Fined 10., costs 10s., the Mayor observing that whenever the police demanded admittance to any public house they were not to be obstructed.

From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, Saturday 18 February 1860. Price 1d.

THOMAS CLIFFORD

Of the “Duke of Marlborough Inn,” Union Street, Maidstone.

Begs to inform the Farmers and Gentry in Kent and Sussex that in consequence of the Death of Mr. John Fairhead (whose business has been given up) T.C. embraces the opportunity of offering some First Class Cart Horses of all description. Van Horse, Nags, Good Cobs, Carriage and brougham Horses always on view.
Livery and Bait Stables. Horses Lent on Hire.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Secret Drinker, 5 February 2026.

Secret Drinker reviews the Duke of Marlborough pub in Maidstone.

There really aren’t enough of these true gems left in the world today. There was a time when characters like Jan, forces of nature almost, ran pubs like this right across the land.

With a twinkle in her eye, the landlady of the Duke of Marlborough in Maidstone informs me she’s only been here 25 years, so she’s starting to get to know the place.

This might be tongue-in-cheek, but it’s immediately clear that every drinker stepping through the door at this down-to-earth town centre boozer on Union Street, benefits from the lifetime’s experience this proper pub lady has amassed.

From the outside, The Duke looks imposing enough but on a very damp Thursday lunchtime, I was expecting the interior to be a little dark and maybe even a bit dreary. Far from it, this place really opens up and light pours in through the back windows, which lead onto an incredible outside space. Jan explains a major extension was added four years ago but they’ve also been freshening and brightening up the pub for a couple of years.

Timothy Taylor’s was the only ale on draught but you could immediately tell it’s well looked after, so that suited me just fine. The fact that Jan thanked me with a heartfelt ‘cheers, my darling’ could only add to the enjoyment of my first pint.

The pub had a sizable extension built four years ago and has made good use of the extra space with a pool table and a pair of dartboards.

There were already several stalwarts in for lunchtime, not that there’s food here, oh no, this is strictly wet-led, but you can immediately tell each of them is a part of The Duke’s, and Jan’s, adopted family.

Not that the pub is stuck in time or declining, far from it, there needs to be two dartboards because this place runs four teams regularly and a fifth in the summer, a blackboard proudly proclaims the names of bands who regularly perform to packed crowds on the stage in the aforementioned outside space and everywhere looks in good nick.

I was still hobbling a little, and when one friendly local kindly enquired after my health, it sparked the inevitable medical-related conversation now so unavoidable among folk of a certain age. It seems he’s currently waiting for the knee replacement I’ve just had but once again, it just went to further prove Jan’s indomitability as she’s still going strong after two new knees and three hips.

You won't find many more traditional town centre pubs than The Duke so it seems fitting the carpet looks traditional too.

Taken through the glass doors at the back of the pub, the outdoor area isn't in full use during winter months but I'm assured it is packed out for live music events.

The fixtures and fittings are exactly what you’d expect - half a dozen TV screens for sport, three large fruit machines and a pool table but there are several other touches which specifically tie The Duke to its position and history – Maidstone FC shirts show where allegiance lies and there’s plenty of historic photos dotted about, although Jan reckons a fair few got boxed when the latest renovation took place.

We’d been joined by another local, Gary, who’d sneaked in while his other half was busy shopping. He took a seat on a high stool at the bar and explained it was easier following his recent hip replacement – seriously, there was hardly an original joint in the joint by now!

The background music was provided randomly by the jukebox but, like all things here, it was strictly under Jan’s control and whenever anything she didn’t like came on it was skipped, whatever the opinion of the locals. Mind you, we agreed on the subject of rap music, two of the worst examples were switched out immediately for David Bowie and Alanis Morissette.

I’ll give the live acts a shout-out, the board listed Top Guns, MoFos and All Day Falling, but Jan says she’ll wait for the brighter weather before making any more bookings.

The outside area, complete with a good-sized stage, is worthy of special mention as it’s clearly been well thought out with a good deal of work going into its creation.

Like several pubs I’ve visited in recent weeks, the door to the gents was held open on a hook, not that it’s an issue here as no-one can see in from the bar, but I’m not sure why pubs opt for this open-door policy. The toilets themselves may be a bit scruffy in parts but they’re definitely clean and fresh, as demonstrated by a mixed whiff of air freshener and bleach.

So in summary, what we have is a proper town centre pub, offering decent service at a decent price, where visitors are as welcome as regulars and where everything is held together and marshalled expertly by exactly the type of landlady everyone wants to meet.

The large outdoor area is divided into separate wooden seating area.

Décor: It does what it says on the tin. The exterior is impressive and well-maintained, whilst inside it’s comfortable and tidy enough. Special mention must go to the outside area that’s been created with live music in mind. ***

Drink: I wouldn’t claim there’s a wealth of choice, but there doesn’t need to be. What you have is an excellent pint of draught beer at the right price and an equally impressive Guinness – other drinks are available! ****

Price: Great to find a town centre pub still serving a decent bitter under a fiver, Timothy Taylor’s is £4.70, with Guinness just a smidgeon more than a deep sea diver at £5.30. If you want Moretti, then this indulgence will cost you £6. ****

Staff: What can I say, absolute salt of the earth in a sadly declining genre. Jan’s the quintessential no-nonsense, battling and benevolent barmaid (landlady) I’d always want to meet. *****

Not currently in use, the impressively-decorated outdoor area is currently being worked on ready for more live events just as soon as the weather improves.

The dartboards are top notch at The Duke and, judging by the trophies on display, the resident darts teams take full advantage of having decent boards.

The dartboards are top notch at The Duke and, judging by the trophies on display, the resident darts teams take full advantage of having decent boards.