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Birchwood
Swanley Village
01322 586035
https://whatpub.com/red-lion
Above photo, circa 1920. Kindly sent by Michael Norman. |
Above postcard, date unknown. |
Above postcard circa 1929, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe, showing a
temporary Style & Winch "Farmer's Ales" sign hanging. |
Above photo, circa 1950. |
Above photo 2009 by David Anstiss
Creative Commons Licence. |
Above photo, 2018. |
The first "Red Lion" building can be traced back to 1721, that was
originally a farm dwelling built by Isaac Staples, but unfortunately
demolished in the 1860s.
The building shown in the pictures shows the date 1899 on it, but I am
informed that it was originally built for the sum of £3,000 in the 1860
around the same time the first one was demolished. Perhaps the date 1899
shows an extension or renovation.
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Kent Times, 5 July 1862.
An inquest was held on Thursday, at the "Red Lion Inn," Swanley,
before C. J. Carttar, Esq., coroner, on the body of a man named
James Cavell, aged 52. It appeared that the deceased was in the
habit of going about the country with a donkey and cart, collecting
bones and rags, and on Tuesday he was found dead in his cart. A post
mortem examination was made by Mr. Ashurst, of Farningham, and in
accordance with his testimony a verdict of "Died from natural
causes" was returned. |
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Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Tuesday
17 March 1891.
Question of Right of Way.
George Head, William Conekman, and Frederick Dutnall, was summoned
for committing damage, by walking
across a strawberry field, the property of Thomas Wood, at Eynsford,
on the 19th Inst., the damages being
assessed at 4s.
Mr. George Weller prosecuted.
Mr. Herbert Wood, a son of the prosecutor, P.C.'s Cordery and
Sidders proved having seen the defendants go
across the field, and the former deposed to the damage which was
done being of more than 4s.
They as well as P.S. Barnes, and a man named Hawley, stated they had
known the place for periods of from 8
to 16 years, and they had never known any footpath there, except for
persons who were employed on the farm.
The contention of the defendants was that the part of the field
where they crossed had been a public footpath
for a period of at least 25 years.
William Howard said he was 77 years of age, and was born at Eynsford,
and had lived there all his life. There
had been a path commencing at the Old Toll Bar, at the bottom of
Crockenhill, through Mr. May's field, out by
the "Red Lion" at Swanley, and onto Puddledock. There was a defined
path up to the field of Mr. Wood's, and
again at the other side of the field, the defined path commenced
again. He recollected when Mr. May planted
potatoes in the field, and he draw a line right across, so that this
portion of the field, where the path was,
should not be played or planted. He had used the path hundreds of
times, and had gone over it within the past
3 weeks. The stile at the commencement of Mr. Wood's field had been
pulled up a few years ago.
John Parks, an old man, 74 years of age, who said he had lived at
Swanley all his life, and who had known the
place when it was in possession of Mr. Reeves, Mr. May, and Mr.
Wood, said he had used the pub after 60-years,
and till within the past 12-months.
The Chairman said the Bench dismissed the summons, on the ground
that the defendants had reasonable belief
that they had a right to use the path, and their jurisdiction was
therefore ousted.
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From the
https://www.newsshopper.co.uk 19th May 2026, By Charlotte Anderson.
The Red Lion pub Swanley shuts - Stonegate want new operator.
A pub in Swanley has shut less than a year after it was taken over
by new management.
The Red Lion, in Swanley Village, has closed as of yesterday (May
18), with pub company Stonegate already searching for new operators.
It comes around a year after the boozer shut previously and just six
months after the latest landlord took over in November 2025.
The pub announced the closure with a "heavy heart", writing on
Facebook that the team has "done everything we possibly can".
The Red Lion's entrance is already boarded up.
The post said: "Unfortunately, Stonegate have made their decision
and given me a week’s notice to close up and leave.
"I want to thank you all for the amazing support you’ve shown at our
events and for truly being part of the Red Lion family.
"The memories made here will never be forgotten."
The Red Lion hosted a farewell party on Saturday (May 16), complete
with a DJ and hot dog stand, followed by a drinks sale on Sunday.
On Monday, one of the entrances was already boarded up and a
Stonegate Group sign fixed to the side of the building.
The pub has been listed on the Stonegate website as looking for new
operators under a fixed term tenancy agreement, with a guide rent of
£461 per week.
The ideal operator would be an "experienced and dynamic individual"
with the expertise to "create a welcoming, family-friendly
atmosphere", the pub company said.
The regional manager said: "I’m looking for a passionate and driven
individual with the enthusiasm to take this pub to the next level.
"Strong catering skills would be a valuable asset, helping to
develop a menu that appeals to both locals and visitors,
transforming the pub into a go-to destination.
"If you’re ready to bring fresh ideas and energy to this venture,
this could be the perfect challenge for you."
Swanley Village resident Paul Rees said he thinks the pub needs
"massive investment" from Stonegate to succeed, adding: "We've been
here so many times before."
A Stonegate Pub Partners spokesperson said: "The Red Lion is
undergoing a planned change of publican following the conclusion of
the current agreement.
"As this relates to a private commercial matter, we’re unable to
comment further.
"We remain committed to the pub’s continued future and look forward
to welcoming guests under new management." |
LICENSEE LIST
GLOVER William George 1851-58+ (age 39 in 1851 )
SHARP Charles 1861-62+ (also bricklayer age 44 in 1861)
WHITBREAD Thomas 1871-81+ (age 42 in 1881)
WHITEBREAD Maria 1891-99+ (widow age 58 in 1891)
HISEMAN Alfred R 1901+ (age 34 in 1901)
BOWLAND George William 1903+
HOLLAND James R 1913+
GILES Alice Mrs 1918+
LARNER Thomas H 1922+
TEER Richard William 1930+
MORRIS John 1934+
SAPSED Thomas 1938+
FRY Verdun 1950s
CHARTONIUK James Nov/2025-18/May/26
https://pubwiki.co.uk/RedLion.shtml
Census
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
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