WATERMAN'S ARMS Pub of Milton Regis

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Milton Regis, February, 2026.

Page Updated:- Saturday, 07 February, 2026.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1828-

Waterman's Arms

Demolished ????

Flushing Street / Mill Street

Milton Regis

Above photo, 1942 just showing the corner of the pub, right. Also showing the "Crown and Anchor."

Above photo, circa 1960.

In the 1860s, the Waterman’s Arms was a six day house tied to Messrs Budden and Biggs Ltd. The annual value was £50 and the rateable value £26.

Ind Coope & Co Ltd purchased the pub from Budden & Biggs Brewery Ltd by conveyance and assignment dated 23 March 1931. The pub held a 6 day full license. At the same time they also purchased land at Flushing Street which did not hold a license.

The customers of the house were brickfield labourers, bargemen and a few tradesmen. The Crown and Anchor was immediately opposite. It is said this was a house of considerable extent. There were 2 front entrances, 2 side entrances and a back entrance from the yard. The bar was about 34ft long while the bedrooms were about 7ft in pitch. There were 4 bedrooms and 3 rooms in the roof were not very good. The floor level was rather awkward, there being steps in dark passages. The house was only 9 yards from the "Crown and Anchor" and 75 yards from the "Jolly Sailor."

I am informed that the building has been demolished, but as yet do not know when.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herold, Saturday 5 January 1878.

Sittingbourne Sunday Closing.

Mr. J. Lemmey, of the "Waterman's Arms," Milton, announces in future his house will be entirely closed on Sundays. The "Watermans Arms" belongs to Ressrs. Fremlin, Maidstone, who, we understand, in intend closing all their houses on the Sabbath day.

South Kent Gazette, Friday 15 July 1955.

Licence Transfers.

A protection order in respect of the "Waterman's Arms," Milton, from Lesley Thomas Mudd, a representative of the brewers, to John Maxwell Roberts, was granted at Sheerness Magistrates Court on Monday. The Bench also agreed to the transfer of the "Greyhound," Sheerness from George Thomas Ralph to Lesley Thomas Mudd.

East Kent Gazette, Friday 17th February 1956.

Full Licence for "Railway Arch."

The removal of a full licence of the "Waterman's Arms," Milton, to the "Railway Arch," Sittingbourne - formally holding only a beer and wine licence - was agreed at the annual licensing sessions at Sittingbourne Magistrates Court on Monday.

Mr. D. A. I. Ardizzone, who appeared for Mr. William George Luckhurst, said that if the removal was granted it was intended to close the "Waterman's Arms."

The "Railway Arch" was licensed for the sale of beer and wines only. The trade of the "Waterman's Arms" had decreased because of a considerable amount of demolition in the area. There was no question of increasing the number of licensed premises in the area. Certain alterations to the "Railway Arch" were approved in July last year and these would make it a really first class house.

LICENSEE LIST

KNOWLES John 1828+