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Bull Hill
Bethersden
01233 820 534
https://www.bullinnbethersden.co.uk/
https://whatpub.com/bull-inn
Above photo, circa 1900, from Bertram Kingsnorth. Possibly showing
Henry Bell by the horses. |
Above photo coloured version of above, circa 1900, from Adrian Stanton. |
Above photo, 1909, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above postcard, postmarked 1922. |
Above photo, 1945, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo, circa 1969, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo, circa 1969, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo 2010 by Oast House Archive
Creative Commons Licence. |
Above photo kindly supplied by Tricia Francis, 18 January 2015. |
 
Above sign left, April 1985. Sign right, June 1992.
With thanks from Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com.
 
Sign left, 2010, sign right, 2020, kindly taken and sent by Roger Pester. |
Bethersden, home of the famous marble, has its "Bull Inn," built on the
old Bull Green in 1645 and a frequent stopping-place for coaches after the turnpike
road from Ashford to Tenterden was constructed in the eighteenth century.
During the second world war the stable block was used as a prison and the
local Home Guard trained here as well.
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Kentish Gazette, 18 June 1844.
Bethersden Benefit Society.
The members of this society met at the "Bull Inn," Bethersden, on
Thursday, 6th June, and walked from thence in procession to church with
their village band, flags, and banners, when a very appropriate
discourse was delivered by the Rev. Richard Burnett, vicar of the
parish, from the 133rd Psalm, 1st verse; after which they returned to a
spacious booth, in a meadow opposite the "Bull Inn," where the members
and friends, their venerable vicar in the chair, partook of a splendid
dinner, got up in excellent style by the worthy host of the "Bull Inn"
(Mr. Vane). After the cloth was removed the chairman proposed the health
of the Queen, which was hailed with three times three; after which there
were several good songs sung, and the evening was passed with much
hilarity and good feeling, the band playing at intervals, and the
village bells merrily pealing, heightened the festivity of the occasion.
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Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 16 July 1870.
ALLEGED MISCHIEVOUS CONDUCT.
A singularly brutal case of assault upon a woman came under the notice
of the magistrates at the Petty Sessions on Tuesday, and the perpetrator
of it narrowly escaped a far higher charge than that brought against
him, as a very little more violence on his part might, according to the
medical testimony, have terminated his victim's life. The prisoner was
Philip Town, waggoner to Mr. Dean, of Biddenden. On Thursday he was sent
to Bethersden with a load of stone, and remained drinking at the "Bull
Inn" all day, and his mate at length went home with the waggon. The
woman, who is a hawker, named Ann Gadd, came into the "Bull" while he
was there, and he plied her with drink until she became somewhat
intoxicated. She then went out of the house, with the intention of
proceeding to Ashford. She was followed by the prisoner, who pursued her
with certain solicitations, and when she refused him he struck her a
terrible blow in the face with his fist, knocked her down, and then
kicked her violently as she lay on her head and body. There were several
cuts from the steel tips of the prisoner’s heavy boots in different
parts of her head, especially behind her ears, when she was examined by
Mr. Underhill, surgeon; but, singular to say, her skull was not
fractured. She was, however, quite unconscious when the prisoner was
made to desist from beating her by some men who were called upon by the
wives of some villagers to interfere. These women he pursued with much
fury when they came near him as he was knocking the woman about. As her
state was critical, she was taken to the Union by the Bethersden
policeman, and she was now able to attend and give evidence, although
she presented a shocking appearance.
The prisoner had no defence whatever to make, but a general good
character was given of him. He was committed for three months' hard
labour.
A letter was read from the Guardians of the West Ashford Union,
complaining of the Bethersden policeman for bringing the woman there, as
they considered she ought to have been left at the public-house where
the drink was supplied. The Magistrates exonerated the policeman from
all blame.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sam Williams, 22 February 2016.
Chimney fire at Bull Inn, Bethersden.
Staff and punters at a village pub had to evacuate the building
following a chimney fire.
Firefighters from Ashford were called to the Bull Inn, in Bethersden, at
around 7pm last night.
They say that everyone was out of the building when they arrived and
they spent 45 minutes at the scene.
The fire was contained to the chimney.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Liane Castle, 15 April 2023.
Shepherd Neame bosses confident The Bull Inn in Bethersden will reopen soon.
Brewery bosses are confident a village pub will reopen soon after the
previous licensee pulled out.
The Bull Inn in Bethersden, between Ashford and Tenterden, has been
closed since the start of March, leaving villagers concerned for its
future.
The pub in Bull Lane overlooks the A28. Picture: Shepherd Neame.
But Shepherd Neame says it is planning to reopen the site, which sits in
a prime position in Bull Lane overlooking the A28.
Director of tenanted pub operations, Greg Wallis, said: “We can confirm
we are currently recruiting a new licensee to take over The Bull at
Bethersden, which has been closed since the start of March.
“It is a characterful rural village pub with great potential and we are
confident that the business will reopen shortly.”
Elsewhere in the village, the "George" in The Street could reopen by the
summer after residents raised more than £300,000 to buy it.
Fearing the historic building could be demolished, villagers came
together to form the "George" Community, with the aim of raising enough
money to reopen the pub as a community asset.
Bosses hope to reopen The Bull Inn as soon as possible. Picture:
Shepherd Neame.
Efforts were aided by a government boon, which pledged to match any
money raised up to £250,000 – meaning the £300,000 raised would result
in £550,000 in total. |
LICENSEE LIST
VANE Stephen 1841-63 dec'd (also farmer age 53 in 1841 )
LEE Herbert 1871+ (age 33 in 1871)
DYKE John 1874-82+ (age 62 in 1881)
DYKE Caroline 1891+ (widow age 72 in 1891)
BELL Henry 1903+
PHILPOTT William 1911+ (age 49 in 1911)
NORRIS Alfred 1913-22+
NORRIS Zilah Mrs 1938+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/Bull.shtml
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
Census
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