DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Gravesend, March, 2026.

Page Updated:- Thursday, 19 March, 2026.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1622

Old Falcon Hotel

Latest 1939

3 (87 in 1861) East Street

Milton

Gravesend

Above painting by Charles Edward Holloway (1838-1897). Probably showing an older building than the ones shown in the 1900s. Further research from Jeffrey East says the following:- The two pubs were both near each other one in East Street and the other West Street. There is no longer an East Street for some reason. Redevelopment? The painting could therefore be the Old Falcon.

Above drawing circa 1850s.

Above engraving, date unknown, by Llwyd Roberts.

Above painting date unknown.

Above photo date 1910, kindly sent by John Hopperton.

Above photo 1915.

Above photo showing the "Three Daws," "Falcon Hotel," "King of Prussia," and "Old Amsterdam." 4 in a row.

Above photo, date unknown, kindly sent by John Hopperton. The "Old Falcon Hotel" is to the left of the picture and next door to the "King of the Belgians," which shows the Trumans sign.

Above photo, date unknown.

Often referred to as just the "Falcon." The pub was demolished in the 1960s.

Pigot's Directory of 1832 refers this as the "Falcon Tavern and Baths."

Milton next Gravesend Burials from the register of St Peter & St Paul.

15 May 1622. George Sandwich, a Sayler that died at the Faulcon.

4 Apr 1651. A stranger that died at the Folkenn.

Newcastle Courant, Saturday 1 December 1733.

The Rev. Mr. Hales, Francis Barrel, Esq; and Mr. Long, all of the City of Rochester, are those worthy Persons, who, for the Service of their Country, made Affidavit before the Mayor of Gravesend, that they, being at the "Faulcon" in Milton, next Gravesend, on the 7th of November, heard the Words, God bless the Pretender, and all his Adherents, spoken in a very solemn Manner by the reverend Mr. ------, formerly a Presbyterian Teacher, then a Tidewaiter, and now Vicar of this City, and Rector of a Parish in Kent; and Warrants are out for the apprehending him. — Every Body is at a loss to think, How this Person can excuse himself for thus insulting his God and his King; the former by sach a Piece of Mockery, and the latter by such a monstrous Instance of treasonable impudence. But the Gentlemen near Rochesterr are determin'd to bring this Tool to Punishment.

From "Memoirs of William Hickey", 7th edition, vol. 1 p. 122, described event taking place in November of 1768.

At three in the afternoon we landed, and set down in half an hour afterwards to as good a dinner as the cook of the "Falcon Inn" could furnish. We luckily found the champagne very passable, and gave our guests as much as he chose of it. He stayed with us still passed midnight, when he returned.

"Memoirs of William Hickey", 7th edition, vol. 1 p. 132.

Before four and five we arrived at Gravesend, and drove to the "Falcon," which, being crowded with guests, they crammed us into a miserable little hole of a room so enveloped in smoke we could scarce see the candles they placed upon a table. In a couple of hours they brought an abominable ill dressed dinner. In short every thing was so disgustingly bad that I proposed to Bourchier going back to Dartford to sleep, which a waiter hearing, who had recognised me from having been there twice before, he very civilly said the house had been unusually full all day, but that a party would in a few minutes leave one of the best rooms which, although already promised, he would secure for us. He kept his word, soon showing us into the room Fannie and I had occupied, where, putting wax candles upon the table, and bringing a Magnum bonum of a very palatable claret which I ordered, we became reconciled to the house. Having finished our wine, we went to the public billiard table, where we found a motley collection of people. After looking at the players for an hour, returned to our Inn, ate a few oysters, and went to bed.

From the Maidstone Journal, 2 June 1789.

Post Horse Duty.

Whereas I, William Woodford, of Gravesend, in the county of Kent, innkeeper, have lately unintentionally committed drivers Offences against an Act of Parliament, made in the 28th year of his present Majesty, called the Post Horse Act, by omitting to insert in my Stamp office Weekly accounts, several Post-Horse Tickets, which had been issued by me, to the great Prejudice of the Farmer of the Post Horse-duty, for which Offences the said Farmer hath justly commenced a Prosecution against me in His Majesty's Court of King's Bench, but hath consented to stop the Proceedings upon my paying the Expenses, and a small Fine, with Leave of the Court. I therefore thus publicly confess myself obliged to the said Farmer for the Lenity and promise to be more conformable to the said Act in future.

W. Woodford. Gravesend, May 18, 1789.

From the Maidstone Journal, 11 July 1797.

On Sunday morning died, at Gravesend, Mr. Robert Lake, of the "Falcon Tavern."

He received a bite from a mad dog about five weeks since, for which he has had several times bathed in the sea, and was thought perfectly cured; on Sunday morning, being seized with a kind of rheumatic pain, he rode out for an airing, and on his return the pain so considerably increased as to render it necessary for his immediate going to bed, where strong symptoms of the hydrophobia appeared, and in a few hours he died in the greatest agonist. What renders this account more melancholy he was to have been married in a few days, which must leave an impression on the minds of all persons that the Lady, who was the object of his regard, must feel on so distressing an occasion.

From the Maidstone Journal, 13 August 1799.

Kent. To Brewers and the Public in general.

By John Leith, on Wednesday, August 21st, 1799, at the "Falcon Tavern," Gravesend, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon by order of the executors of the late William Cleverly deceased, subject to such conditions as will be then and there produced, the following freehold Estates, in two lots.

Lot 1:- A free Porter House, called or known by the sign of the "Britannia," suitably situated at the corner of Church Street, Gravesend, now in the occupation of Mr. James Walter, tenant at will, at the net rent of £20 per annum. Together with a small shop adjoining, with good water and suitable conveniences to both, and now in the occupation of Mr. William Hayward, tenant at will, at the next low rent of £6 6s. per annum. Together £26 6s.

Lot 2:- Six Freehold blue painted dwelling houses, with appurtenances thereto belonging, situate, lying, and being in Prospect Row, opposite the Fair Field, Edge adjoining the sign of the "Admiral Duncan," Gravesend; four of which is now in the occupation of Robert Gurndley, ----- Cavinger, John Monk, and William Eversfield, at the now low rent of £3. 8s. each per annum; and the other two and the occupation of ------ Hasellcoy, and William Watters, at the now low rent of £7. 7s. Each per annum. Together £48 6s.

The above Estates might be viewed until the day of Sale, by applying to the Tenants.

From "A Yeoman of Kent” by Ralph Arnold. Pub: Constable & Co Ltd. 1949.

December 26th 1772.

Being holiday market, I have no account of corn at Dartford Market. I was last Wednesday at Gravesend Market, Wheat 58s per. qtr. bid to Mr. Loft. But few buyers seldom come to this market & they indifferent ones. Mr Thomas Hulkes, ye chief, & he rides away without dinner although so extraordinary a dinner as there was provided by Mrs. Becket, for little short of 20 farmers, at Falcon in ye East Street. Our room lay close by water side, river Thames very pleasant.

From "A Yeoman of Kent” by Ralph Arnold. Pub: Constable & Co Ltd. 1949.

July 12th 1774.

Brother, Self set off about 4 in the morning to join Mr Patterson, lawyer, Gravesend, Mr T Webb, Mr Marriott, with a young man from London, a Hatter, a flapper shooting. We found my cousin Dr Butler at Beckets (ye Falcon) called him up. Quite hearty again. Saw us embark. We found the flapper season over.

The Ipswich Journal, Saturday 22 July 1797.

Mr. R. Lake, of the "Falcon Inn," Gravesend, a young man very generally respected, and who on Tuesday last was to have been married to an amiable woman, was about 5 weeks since bitten by a mad dog; he bathed, and had recourse to antidotes usual on such occasions; the wound healed, and all apprehensions were dissipated. On Sunday se'nnight, in the morning, he felt a kind of rheumatic pain, and rode out for an airing; the pain, however, increased, and on his return he was put to bed, when strong symptoms of the hydrophobia appeared, and in a few hours he expired in the greatest agonies.

Kentish Gazette, Friday 9 February 1798.

PASTURE AND MEADOW LAND, NEAR GRAVESEND.

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,

BY MR. SMITH, At the "Falcon Inn," Gravesend, On Tuesday, the 13th of February, 1798, at twelve o’clock,

THIRTY acres of rich FREEHOLD PASTURES and MEADOW LAND, in a most delightful situation for building on the border of the road leading from Gravesend to Milton church, commanding views of great extent and beauty over the river Thames and surrounding country, divided into six Lot for the convenience of purchasers.

May be viewed and particulars had of Mess. Coore and Hubbersty, Solicitors, Winchester-street; of Mr. Asser, Greenhithe, near Dartford, at the place of sale; and of Mr. Smith, No. 62, Broad Street near the Royal Exchange, London.

From the Maidstone Journal, 15 December 1801.

Died.

Yesterday se'nnight died at Shorn, at an advanced aged, Mr. Edward Willett, late master of the "Falcon Inn," Gravesend, and one of the Common Councilmen of that corporation.

Kentish Gazette 15 December 1801.

Died on Monday last at Snorn near Rochester, Mr. Edward Willett, late of the "Falcon Tavern," Gravesend.

From the South Eastern Gazette, Tuesday 6 April, 1830.

GRAVESEND AND WROTHAM TURNPIKE ROAD.

Notice is hereby given, that the General Annual Meeting of the Trustees or Commissioners of the above Turnpike Road, will be holden at the "Falcon Tavern," in Milton next Gravesend, on Wednesday, the 28th day of April instant, at Twelve o'clock at noon.

Southgate & Rich,

Clerks to the said trustees.

Gravesend, April 5th, 1830.

Burials St Peter & St Paul, Milton next Gravesend. 1846-1864.

10 Jan 1849 Sarah Osborne, Falcon Hotel aged 17.

Kentish Gazette, 13 February 1849.

GRAVESEND. Hunt Dinner.

On Wednesday week a splendid dinner was given, at the "Falcon Inn," by L. Young. Esq., to about forty of the gentlemen who hunt with the fox-hounds of T. Colyer, Esq., of Parrock Hall, when a handsome silver cup, set in a fox's head, was presented to Mr. Colyer. The dinner, which comprised every delicacy, in and out of season, was acknowledged by all the party to be the best that had been provided in the town.

From The Sphere, 27 March, 1926. By C. FOX-SMITH.

THE TAVERNS OF THAMES-SIDE.

Some of the Famous Riverside Hostelries, Known to Seamen the World Over.

Gravesend, of course, specialises in pilots’ inns. The "Old Falcon," a house visited in its day by many celebrities, is the new "Falcon" now; a pretentious red-brick affair befitting the times when Trinity pilots drive their own cars—and not Fords either—and make, so report says, four-figure incomes.

LICENSEE LIST

BECKET Mrs 1772-74+

WOODFORD William 1789+

LAKE Robert to July/1797 dec'd

CLEVERLY William to Aug/1799 dec'd

WILLETT Edward to Dec/1801 dec'd & WOODFORD Edward 1793+

WOODFORD Edward William 1824-28+