BLACKSMITH'S ARMS Pub of Cudham

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 04 July, 2023.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1729

Blacksmith's Arms

Open 2022+

Cudham Lane South

Cudham

01959 572678

https://whatpub.com/blacksmiths-arms

Above photo, date unknown.

Above postcard, circa 1922, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, date unknown.

Above postcard, circa 1953, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above sign left, June 1993, sign right 2013.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Above matchbox, date unknown, kindly sent by Debi Birkin.

Above photo circa 2014.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo 2022.

The “Blacksmith’s Arms” was built during the reign of Charles I (1625–1649) in the year 1628. The property at this stage is described as a farm dwelling with stables. The earliest recorded occupant is one Nathaniel Myndecote, a farmer and blacksmith of the parish of Apuldrefield, a title by which that area of Cudham was then known. Myndecote purchased the property in 1638.

A sale inventory of 1669 describes the property thus:- One messuage, four acres of arable land, one wooded parcel of land, one forge anvil and tack, two mares one in foal and at this date was purchased by one Henry Springett Lockyer, a blacksmith of the parish of Knockholt, who on his deathbed in 1703 bequeathed the property, then described solely as a blacksmith’s forge and dwelling, to his wife Naomi, also recorded as a blacksmith.

Naomi Lockyer’s maiden name was Ward, and in 1729 the property was purchased by one Marcus Ward, a beer retailer and blacksmith of the parish. The Ward family had for many years owned a registered ale house situated near the forge, known as the Anvil and later the Blacksmith’s Arms, which was badly damaged by fire and demolished in 1721. On October the 10th 1729, an ale and cider licence was granted to a Marcus Ward, and in 1730, the sign of the “Blacksmith’s Arms” was hung on the present site.

For many years, Marcus Ward continued his trade as a blacksmith, while his wife Eleanor ran the Inn. After his death in 1781, Eleanor Ward sold the property to one Henry George Wilson, an Innkeeper of Bromley for 100 guineas. In 1829, the Inn once again was in the hands of the Ward family when it was purchased by one Jonathan Ward, grandson of Marcus Ward.

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

In 1865, the “Blacksmith’s Arms” was purchased by one Richard Relph. Relph’s wife bore him fifteen children, one of whom, born at the Inn in 1868, named Harry went on to become famous as the legendary music stall star “Little Titch” (1868-1928).

In 1878, Richard Relph sold the Inn to one Charles Watson, town crier of Bromley. Watson was for many years a crier and post-master of the village and parish of Cudham, and the “Blacksmith’s Arms” a posting house where the mail was left for Watson to distribute.

The “Blacksmith’s Arms” has seen and undergone many changes since it was first built, but its historic atmosphere and character remains unchanged. So come and enjoy the fayre and reflect on those bygone days.

South Eastern Gazette 30 August 1859.

TO INNKEEPERS AND OTHERS. TO LET.

With immediate Possession, if required.

An excellent Country Inn, doing a first-rate business, and very desirably situated in a flourishing agricultural district; together with an acre of valuable Fruit Plantation. The above has been in the possession of the advertiser for 15 years.

Apply to Mr. G. Crane, Cudham, Bromley, Kent.

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser 23 April 1937.

BIGGIN HILL. WEDDING.

Mr. Charles Wood, for many years licensee of the "Blacksmith's Arms," Cudham, and formerly of the "Black Horse," Biggin Hill, was married on Tuesday to Miss Annie Elizabeth Belsham, of Knockholt. Mr. Wood was a member of the old Cudham Parish Council and is very well known throughout the district.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Charlotte Phillips, 12 December 2022.

Sevenoaks pub The Blacksmiths Arms wins best garden award at Stars of Stonegate Pub Partner Awards.

A Kent pub has won an award for having the best pub garden.

The Blacksmiths Arms in Cudham, near Sevenoaks has transformed its outdoor space, with a patio and plants, pergola, covered function area and outside bar and kitchen next to a wildflower field.

Anthony Chipps, who runs the pub, has put a lot of time into transforming it.

It also has space for a marquee which is used by local bands who play at the pub.

The gong came at this year's The Stars of Stonegate Pub Partners Awards.

Stonegate Group is the largest pub company in the UK with a portfolio of more than 4,000 managed, leased and tenanted inns.

Anthony Chipps, who runs the pub, said: "I am delighted to have won the award for best garden and for all the hard work that went into making it what it is today to have been recognised.

"Our garden is perfect no matter the weather, with covered areas and lighting, allowing guests to look out at the beautiful surrounding scenery.

The Blacksmiths Arms has won best pub garden at The Stars of Stonegate Pub Partner Awards.

The pub garden features a patio area with plants.

"I knew the large garden space had so much potential and I am so happy to see it looking how we pictured it.

"Thank you to everyone who has helped to transform the garden, I would not have been able to do this without you."

The awards ceremony was held at Coombe Abbey and welcomed the finalists, members of their pub teams and their regional managers, along with the judges.

The "White Horse" in Dover won the award for most improved pub.

Nick Andrews, managing director of Stonegate Pub Partners, said: "Congratulations to all of our Stars of Stonegate who have won awards and those who were nominated, you should all be very proud of your achievements and efforts.

“All of our Pub Partners are committed to growing their businesses and are actively involved with their local communities, putting their pubs are the heart of them."

LICENSEE LIST

WARD John 1828-40+