|
Hareplain Road
Biddenden
01580 291472
http://www.thethreechimneys.co.uk/
https://whatpub.com/three-chimneys
Above picture taken from their web site, showing the building in the
1950s. |
Above photo circa 1953. Showing licensee Alan Quick, kindly sent by
his daughter Estelle Quick. |
Above photo, circa 1992. |
Above photo kindly sent by Chris Excell, 4 October, 2012. |
Above photo 2015. |
Above photo, 2018. |
 
Above sign left, March 1986. Sign right, 2013.
With thanks from Brian Curtis
www.innsignsociety.com.
The pub sign depicts an 18th century French prisoner of war observing
the parole boundary notice attached to the road sign at the junction of
three lanes (or 'trois chemins'). |
Above matchbox, circa 1980s, kindly sent by Debi Birkin. |
 
Above card issued March 1953. Sign series 4 number 42. |
 
Above pictures showing the back and front of a business card, kindly
sent by Estelle Quick. |
The census of 1841 mentions a "Three Chimneys Gates" although no mention
is made that the occupier, a Joseph Richardson was the licensee, they give
his details as 75 years of age and an agricultural labourer.
|
Passage below taken from their web site. 2014.
During the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) it is said that up to 3,000 French
prisoners were kept at nearby Sissinghurst Castle. The French seamen
were placed on parole in the surrounding area and were allowed out as
far as the pub building. At the time locals referred to this as the
'Three Wents' (or three ways) but the prisoners called it "Les Trois
Chemins." The unique name of the Three Chimneys therefore derives from
the French term for the junction of three roads.
The building itself is much older than the actual name of the pub. It
dates from circa 1420 and is a half-timbered construction that remained like
this for over 500 years. During this period it was a simple country alehouse
virtually untouched by time. The "Three Chimneys" has almost doubled in size
since then but it has never lost its essential character as a fine country
pub. The recent extension has been designed within this traditional theme in
mind and means that you can enjoy our fabulous food & drink whilst
overlooking our extensive gardens.
|
|
From an email sent 22 September 2017.
I don't remember hearing much about "This Ancient Boro" but my father had
wonderful stories about the "Three Chimneys." They only had a licence for
beer, which was served straight from the cask from a taproom at the
back. They were fairly hard up so did various other things to add to
their income. I believe my father delivered the post for a while and one
Christmas they bought a load of geese to pluck and sell in London - my
father's father had a fish and game shop in north London and although he
must have been retired by then there were presumably contacts in the
trade. My mother's fingers got very sore and the kitchen was full of feathers. There were stories of the hop pickers coming down and camping
round about the pub, they sold a lot of beer then! Gipsies came for the
hop picking as well and weren't always very friendly. Apparently the
roof came down very low at the back and the dog in the photo used to be
able to jump up there and run about on it.
"This Ancient Boro" was the end of my father's pub career. I think my
mother probably nagged him to get a more lucrative job as the family
grew and he joined Batchelors Foods in Ashford as a management trainee.
Regards,
Estelle Quick.
|
|
From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Chris Price, 8 September 2016.
The Three Chimneys in Biddenden named top dining pub in Kent.
A 500-year-old country alehouse has been named the top dining pub in
Kent for the sixth time in eight years.
The Three Chimneys in Biddenden has been given the honour by the Good
Pub Guide 2017.
The 15th century oak-beamed boozer takes its name from the Seven Years’
War, when up to 3,000 French prisoners were kept at nearby Sissinghurst
Castle.
The French seamen were placed on parole in the area and allowed as far
as the pub building, which they recognised by the junction of three
roads, which they called Les Trois Chemins, which became the Three
Chimneys.
The cask ale pub, which is also listed in the Michelin guide, has won
the Good Pub Guide dining award in 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010 and 2009.
Its landlord Craig Smith has run it since 1999.
In its 35th edition, the independent Good Pub Guide 2017 was published
today.
|
|
From the
https://www.kentlive.news By Lauren MacDougall, 6 November 2019.
Kent’s cosiest pubs with gorgeous log fires that will shield you from the cold.
These stunning pubs come with crackling fires, beautiful interiors and tasty food.
Is there anything better than curling up next a toasty log fire, pint in hand?
With the winter months drawing in and November predicted to be one of
the coldest ever, knowing your local cosy pub with a gorgeous log fire
is more important than ever.
Whether you're looking for a tipple after a brisk walk or just after
a warm afternoon out, there's plenty of choice.
These stunning pubs come with crackling fires, beautiful interiors
and tasty food.
Some of them even have more than one wood burner, so you won't be
fighting for the coveted space in front of the flickering flames.
If you're looking for some inspiration, check out our list below.
The Three Chimneys.
The Three Chimneys.
Where : Hareplain Rd, Biddenden, Ashford TN27 8LW.
What : The Three Chimneys is surrounded by beautiful scenery, with the
building itself possessing dark oak beams, aged hops and a lovely
roaring fire.
The pub aims to deliver an informal dining experience with local
produce, offering a variety of ales, wines and spirits.
|
|
From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Rachael Woods, 31 January 2020.
Articulated lorry crash on A262 Sissinghurst Road, near Three Chimneys pub, Biddenden.
A passing motorist took this pictures of an articulated lorry after
it partially tipped over into a ditch.
Hairdresser Louisa Peachey, who lives in Tenterden, came across the
scene in Sissinghurst Road this afternoon.
The articulated lorry veered off the road near Biddenden.
The 41-year-old stopped to check on the driver and said: "He was very upset and said that he was forced to swerve off the road to avoid an
oncoming truck."
"It was quite shocking to see such a massive truck in the ditch but at
least it seems no one was hurt."
Police were called to the incident near the Three Chimneys pub in
Biddenden this afternoon and a spokesman said: "We were informed that a
lorry had left Sissinghurst Road near Biddenden at 12.40pm.
"Officers attended and assisted with the vehicle’s recovery."
|
|
From the
https://www.kentlive.news/news.
Motorcyclist dies in hospital after crash at the Three Chimneys near Biddenden.
A police investigation has been launched and anyone with dashcam footage is urged to get in touch.
The road was sealed off by police as an investigation was launched.
A motorcyclist died in hospital after a crash with a car on the A262.
It happened just before 3.20pm on Saturday, May 16 on the Sissinghurst
Road at the Three Chimneys, near Biddenden.
Police scrambled to the scene, along with the air ambulance.
The casualty was taken to a London hospital, but was sadly pronounced
dead on arrival.
His next of kin has been informed.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing and officers are appealing
to anyone who witnessed what happened or have dashcam footage of either
vehicle.
The incident involved a blue and white Suzuki motorcycle being ridden
towards Biddenden and a black VW Polo travelling in the opposite
direction.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Serious Collision
Investigation Unit appeal line on 01622 798535 quoting reference RY/DJ/042/20.
|
|
From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Dan Wright, 23 May 2020.
Family's tribute after biker Ryan Homewood killed in crash on Sissinghurst Road near Biddenden.
A grieving family has paid a heartfelt tribute to a "one-of-a-kind"
biker who was killed in a crash.
Ryan Homewood, 26, was riding on the A262 Sissinghurst Road towards
Biddenden when he collided with a black VW Polo travelling in the
opposite direction.
Ryan Homewood, 26, was killed in a crash on the A262 last Saturday.
The Greenhithe resident was rushed to a London hospital last Saturday
where he was pronounced dead.
Now his family has issued a statement remembering the biker, who was
riding a blue and white Suzuki when the crash happened in the hamlet of
Three Chimneys.
"We are struggling to come to terms with the loss of Ryan," they said.
"Ryan has a unique character and he is one of a kind who is loved by
everyone.
"We would like to thank everyone who sent their condolences, flowers and
cards.
"We would respectfully request privacy for our time to grieve."
Police have launched an investigation into the crash, which saw the road
closed off at 3.20pm last Saturday as emergency services including the
air ambulance descended on the scene.
Officers are appealing to anyone who witnessed what happened or have
dashcam footage of either vehicle.
This week, bouquets of flowers and a card were tied to a post near the
scene.
One of the notes on the card reads: "Ryan, I will always remember our
times together, it was a pleasure to have known you."
Another says: "What can I say, I'll miss you man. Gone but never
forgotten."
One final tribute says: "What a guy. You'll be missed."
|
Regarding the name of the pub as mentioned from their web site in 2014,
there are always alternative suggestions given to such unique names. David
Boulding write to tell me the following:- "The story about the “trois
chemins” is a very ingenious one and I like it. Alas, like so many legends
it’s probably not true. I explained this to the pub management a while back
– with documentation - but I suspect they don’t much care for the nicely
crafted story to be demolished.
In 1664 one “Edmund Steede of Biddenden in the Countie of Kent Gentleman
made his will” and in it he notes: “And also one other Messuage or Tenemt
comonlie called the Three Chymnnys [Chimneys] one Barne with all other the
edifices buildings Lands and Tenemts thereunto beelonging conteyning by
estimacon tenn acres whether more or less Scituate lying and beeinge in
Cranebrooke [Cranbrook] and Biddenden or one of them in the sayd Countie of
Kent.”
1664 was well before Sissinghurst castle was used as a prison for French
prisoners – which was in the Seven Years War, between 1756–63 - and yet the
property was already known as the "Three Chimneys" as early as 1664.
Possibly for known as the "Three Chimneys" the prosaic reason that it had,
er, three chimneys.
LICENSEE LIST
LEVETT Ham 1858+
CURTIS Susan 1871+ (widow also farmer and grocer, age 57 in 1871 )
MUNDAY Richard 1900+
SIVYER George 1901-22 (also farmer age 63 in 1911)
GRAINGER Thomas 1930-38+
QUICK Alan to 1951-53
SMITH Craig 1999-2016+
https://pubwiki.co.uk/ThreeChimneys.shtml
Census
|
