DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Tuesday, 13 September, 2022.

PUB LIST PUBLIC HOUSES Paul Skelton and Jan Pedersen

Earliest 1852

Britannia Inn

Open 2020+

26 Horn Street

Seabrook

Phone 01303 238502

http://www.britanniahythe.co.uk/

https://whatpub.com/britannia-inn

Britannia 1900

Above painting titled "Tree falling and the Britannia, 1900."

Britannia

Above postcard, date unknown.

Britannia 1919

Above postcard dated 1919. Kindly sent by Graham Butterworth.

Britannia watercolour 2003

Above watercolour 2003 by Stuart Gresswell, once licensee of "Guildhall" and "Raglan" kindly sent by Jan Pedersen.

Britannia

Above photo, date unknown.

Britannia at Seabrook Britannia sign 2010Britannia sign date unknown

Britannia sign left by Paul Skelton 2010, sign right date unknown.

Above with thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com

 

Now a Shepherd Neame pub, their web site (accessed July 2011) describes the "Britannia" as follows:-

The "Britannia" is a friendly contemporary pub located only a few hundred yards from the seafront promenade. It is situated in a hamlet outside the picturesque town of Hythe, with its interesting shops and architecture, Royal Military Canal and Romney Hythe & Dymchurch steam railway. Shorncliffe itself is well known as a garrison and army training site, and the "Britannia" is often the last pub the soldiers drink in before they go off on tours of duty.

The pub is light and airy, yet with a traditional feel, with a focus on great beers and excellent traditional homemade food. Their generous steak pie is very popular, as are the Sunday roasts. A peaceful atmosphere reigns with cards and dominoes available for customers' use – and on Wednesday evenings there is a quiz with cash prize. Outside is a pretty courtyard garden with seating for summer, and two big, heated canopies - great for smokers, as well as a large car park.

 

From the Folkestone Chronicle 2 July 1859. Transcribed by Jan Pedersen.

ROBBERY BY SOLDIERS DURING THE FIRE

On Sunday night (26th June) during the time the fire was raging at Mr. Tyssen's, some soldiers entered the "Britannia ale-house" in Horn Street, during the absence from home of the landlord (who was at the fire), and compelled the landlady, who is aged, and was in the house alone to serve them with five gallons of beer, for which they refused to pay; they then robbed her of half a pound of tobacco, and all the money they could lay their hands upon from the till. Some of the soldiers were captured by a picquet, and will be dealt with by the military authorities.

 

From the Folkestone Chronicle 10 September 1859. Transcribed by Jan Pedersen.

ELHAM LICENSING DAY

At the Annual Licensing Day at Elham, on Monday last, the magistrates adjourned two cases for further consideration, to be decided at the Petty Sessions, at Hythe, on Thursday next. One was that of Mr. Offen, who keeps the "Duke of Wellington," at Sandgate, and against the renewal of whose licence a petition has been presented by some of the inhabitants of his neighbourhood; the other was that of the application for a licence by Mr. Groombridge, of the "Britannia," Horn Street, a rather thickly populated neighbourhood, where there is no licensed house within half a mile.

 

Note: This may have been a “full” licence for the Britannia, because it was already licensed as a beer house – or was it only off sales at the time? Jan Pedersen.

 

From the Folkestone Chronicle 17 September 1859. Transcribed by Jan Pedersen.

HYTHE PETTY SESSION

Thursday September 15th:- Before Rev. Mr. Biron, chairman, Major General Sandilands, Dr. Gidley, and W.F. Browell esq.

 

Licensing Day. – The Britannia, Horn Street.

This was an application for a licence made by Mr. Groombridge, of the Britannia, Horn Street, adjourned also from Elham, for further consideration. The bench refused the application, saying they did not consider a public house was required in Horn Street.

 

Note: This throws the date of c 1853 for the Britannia into doubt, or was it licensed for off sales only? Jan Pedersen

 

Kentish Gazette 27 September 1864.

County Petty Sessions.

Applications for a spirit license was made by Mr. Joseph Reeve, of the "Britannia," Horn-street, Cheriton, but refused.

 

Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, Saturday 23 April 1904.

Cheriton Cork Club Smoker.

The first Smoking Concert of the "Britannia Inn" Cork Club took place on the 13th inst., at the "Britannia Inn," Horne Street.

Councillor P. Greenstreet presiding, and a very enjoyable evening was spent.

An excellent program of songs was rendered by the following members of the Club:- Messrs. P. Greenstreet, W. Wise, T. Dad's "2), F. Smith, J. Sullivan (2), H. Baker, W. Piddock, T. Jones , A Harvey (2), W. Dansie, W. Harris (2), H. Preston, and B. Martin, assisted ably by Mr. Preston at the piano.

 

Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, Saturday 4 May 1912.

Assault on Horn Street Publican.

Frederick William Austin and Alfred Holmes was summoned for assaulting Thomas H. Jones, the licensee of the "Britannia Inn," Horn Street, on April 29th.

Both pleaded not guilty.

Mr. G. W. Haines prosecuted on behalf of the Licensed Victuallers' Protection Association.

Mr. Jones said on Monday defendants came to the "Britannia" in such a state as to cause him to refuse to serve them. Both struck him on the face. Witness tried to shut the door against them, but they were too strong for him. Holmes tried to smash in the front door once, and witness received more blows. Witness's wife also received injuries in coming to his aid.

In reply to Austin, witness admitted that he did strike defendant afterwards in self-defence.

Daniel Crowley (butcher,) of Cheriton, deposed to witnessing the assault.

Austin asked if the landlord drew a sword.

Witness replied that he saw the landlord get an old bayonet, which usually hung in the bar, and he told the defendants that he would hit them with it if they came in again. That was after the assault.

Edward King, of Cheriton, but employed at the Hythe school of Musketry, gave corroborative evidence.

Austin stated that he did not see the beginning of the scuffle, but he saw the landlord and his wife going for Holmes, so he went up to them. The landlord struck him (Austin), so he gave him one back.

Holmes said that he was pushed away, and that the landlord hit him, after which he could not remember much.

The Chairman said defendants would each be sentenced to 6 weeks hard labour. The cost of the case would be remitted.

 

LICENSEE LIST

GROOMBRIDGE William 1859-62+ (age 49 in 1861Census)

REEVE Joseph 1864+

KINGSFORD Stephen N 1874+

NETHERSOLE Alfred 1881+ (age 26 in 1881Census)

DARBY John S 1901+ (age 55 in 1901Census)

JONES Thomas H 1912-18+

MEADS George 1922+

DORMAN Mr P 2011+

https://pubwiki.co.uk/BritanniaInn.shtml

 

CensusCensus

 

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

TOP Valid CSS Valid XTHML