DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Sandwich, April, 2026.

Page Updated:- Saturday, 11 April, 2026.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1765

Crispin Inn

Open 2026+

6 High Street

Strand Street

Sandwich

01304 621943

http://www.sandwichpubs.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com

https://whatpub.com/crispin-inn

Picture above kindly supplied by Sue Solley.

Above photo, circa 1900.

Above postcard, circa 1901, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. The Crispin was one of 63 pubs within the tied estate of Hills' Deal Brewery, which was purchased at auction by Thompson & Sons Walmer Brewery in early August 1901 for £93,000 (c.£15m in 2023)

Above photo, circa 1902, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, date unknown. Also show the "Admiral Owen."

Above postcard, 1904, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, date unknown.

Above photo, date unknown. Also showing the "Admiral Owen."

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo, circa 1906, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe and Graham Butterworth..

Above postcard, date 1909, kindly sent by Mark Jennings.

Above postcard, circa 1909, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, circa 1910, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard circa 1913. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, 1913, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. Possibly showing licensees John Fielder and his wife at the door.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above postcard, circa 1916, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, date unknown.

Above photo, circa 1924, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above postcard, date unknown.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo, Old English Fayre 1930.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo, 1949.

Above photo, 1951.

Above postcard, 1955 just after the Thompson's livery had been painted over with/by Charrington's. Kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, date unknown. Kindly sent by Garth Wyver.

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo showing the scouts parade 1965.

Above postcard circa 1968, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above postcard, date unknown.

Above photo, 1977, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above photo, 16 October 1989, by Jim Ashby.

Above photo by Paul Skelton January 2012.

Above photo shows the Crispin Inn in Sandwich. Photo taken from http://www.roundsandsounds.co.uk

Photo taken 5 January 2013 from http://www.flickr.com by Jelltex.

Above photo, 2016. Also showing the "Admiral Owen".

Crispin sign June 1975.

Above signs August 1991 with thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com

Above sign 1983.

With thanks from Roger Pester www.innsignsociety.com

Above showing their sign January 2012.

Above matchbox kindly sent by John Gladish.

Although it is recorded as a public house only since 1823 , it is known to have been in existence since medieval times and in business since 1491. Inns of this description were used as the official meeting places of shoemakers and workers in leather. (St. Crispin is their patron saint).

It appears to have been tied to a brewery owned by the prominent Sandwich family, the Wyborns to 1822. In 1764 William Wyborn, brewer, died and his business was left to his daughter Mary, who had married John Bradley. Their son, William Wyborn Bradley was born in 1752 William being described as "common brewer of Sandwich." William was elected Mayor Sandwich in 1785 and died in 1788. The Sandwich brewery and its tied estate of 27 pubs was eventually put up for "sale by private contract" by William's son (also called William Wyborn Bradley, born 1779) as advertised in the Kentish Gazette on 10th May 1822.

The 1891 Census gave the address as in bridge Street.

THE CRISPIN

Within the ancient town and Cinque Port of Sandwich, situated and lying at the High Street, can be found the Inn known by name and sign of the "Crispin."

It was built in the 6th year of Henry VII in 1491. When first erected it was a dwelling house, smaller in structure than the present day building, with one door leading into Strand Street. It was owned then, and formed part of the estate of one Julian Ketchull Esq. of the parish of Ash next Sandwich who possessed of it until his death in 1519, after which it passed by right of descendancy to his son Nysall of Wingham, in whose hands it remained for the entirety of the reign of Henry VIII. In 1565, the executors of the estate of Nysall Ketchull, disposed of the property by sale to one Richard Husband Eqs. of the parish of Postling, in whose possession it remained until his death in 1597. After which it passed to his children Charlotte and Robert. Charlotte Husband died in 1633, and this property and others in Sandwich, Postling and Yalding were transferred to the estate of Robert Husband, who in 1654 was declared an insane person, and in consequence of lunacy was granted. A trustee was appointed in the guise of on William Wychell M.D. of London, who sought permission to sell off parts of the estate to cover the debts incumbered by Robert Husband.

In 1657, this and one other property nearby in Sandwich, were purchased by one Thomas Cobb Esq. of London, in whose descendants it continued down until at length it was disposed of by sale to one Geoffrey Tregowan in 1746.

For the duration of this time this house had been tenanted, leased and released to a number of persons of varying circumstances and occupations. For a good many years during the eighteenth century it was the home of the ferry-man who operated the ferry across the Stour before the bridge was built. In 1755, a petition was sought to build a bridge over the river. In 1757 and drawbridge and toll house with living quarters was opened. During the period of building, works were carried out to this house to enlarge it and form it as part of the bridge-house. One Caleb Wellard, was appointed bridge-man to collect toll monies.

In 1765 one Thomas Hills came to dwell here, he was described as a furniture maker and common beer seller. In 1769 he applied for and was granted a licence to sell ales from these premises. At this date the house was afforded no title, other than that of a "bere house in Strande Street. In 1790 upon the death of widow Hills, one Wellard Scones beer-seller, obtained a licence to sell ales and ciders from these premises and in 1792 he was granted a full licence to sell liquor from the same premises he now called the "Crispin," after the patron saint of shoemakers who with his brother were said to have been shipwrecked near here whilst fleeing from France.

By 1827 the "Crispin" was in the hands of Edward Niles, brewer of Ramsgate. During this period and for many years to follow the task of collecting the tollcharges fell upon the resident keeper of the "Crispin". In 1845, the address of the Inn changed from Strand Street to No. 6 High Street. In 1873, widow and keeper of the "Crispin" Sarah Kelsey, paid an annual rent of 22 pounds. In 1882, it was purchased by one Alfred Sparkes, innkeeper for 800 pounds. In the early twentieth century the "Crispin" was purchased by the forerunner of the present Bass-Charrington Brewery.

The Bass Brewery was started in 1723 by one Thomas Bass, a carrier of Burton. Upon his round he sold a home-brewed ale. The demand for his beverage grew to such an extent, that he was obliged to sell his removal business to one named Pickford and concentrate solely on brewing. Such was the commencement of the Bass brewery and Pickford removals.

Above supplied by kind permission of the "Crispin."

From the Dover Express, Thursday 6 November, 2008

Kent Herald, 21 April 1825.

Death.

Suddenly, at Sandwich, on Thursday last, Mrs. Hicks, wife of Mr. John Hicks, late landlord of the "Griper," in that town.

Where they got the name "Griper" from I will never know, that's some spelling error.

Kent Herald, 17 November 1825.

Freehold public houses, and other Estates, in Sandwich.

For sale by auction, by Messers. Pott and Denne, at the "Bell Inn," in Sandwich, on Monday, at 12th day of December, 1825, at 11 of the clock in the Forenoon precisely, the following very desirable Freehold Public Houses and Estates, situate in the town and port of Sandwich, in the county of Kent, in separate lots, Viz:-

The "Three Colts," public house.

The "Sun" public house.

The "George" public house.

The "Salutation" public house.

The "Crispin" public house.

The "Dolphin" public house.

The "Black Bear" public house.

The "Green Posts" public house.

The "King's Head" public house.

The "King's Arms" public house.

The "Ship" public house, with cottage and premises adjoining.

The "Swan" public house, with a Stables used therewith, and a cottage in Delf Street, adjoining.

The "Two Brewers," public house, with cottage adjoining.

The "Bell Inn and Tap," with Assembly Rooms, coach house, and stables, &c.

The "Three Kings Inn," with dwelling house adjoining, and extensive stabling, &c.

The "New Inn," with Assembly Room, Theatre, Stables, Yard, &c.

The Dwelling Hand School Rooms, in Delf Street, in the occupation of Miss Stuart.

A Drwlling House in Delf Street, with Malt House and Cottage adjoining.

A Malthouse near Moat's Hole.

A new built Messuage or Tenement, in the occupation of the Widow Solley.

A Messuage or Tennament, in Strand Street, adjoining the "Crispin," in the occupation of Richard Ewell.

A Messuage or Tenement, in two dwellings, in Locksboat Street, in the occupation of Henry Farmer, and George Jeffrey Edmunds.

A Stable, with Lofts over the same, and large Garden, Summer House, and Premises, on the Great Quay, near Quay Gate, in the occupation of Thomas Mead.

The Premises may be viewed on application to the respective tenants, and printed particulars had, seven days prior to the sale, of the Auctioneers, and at the office of Mr. Noakes, Solicitor, Sandwich.

Kent Herald, 15 December 1825.

An extensive sale of estates, consisting of various freehold public houses and other property, took place in the town and port of Sandwich, on Monday last. It may not be uninteresting to give the amount for which each house sold.

The "Three Colts" £780.

"Sun" £550.

"George" £405.

"Salutation" £540.

"Crispin" £750.

"Dolphin" £335.

"Green Posts" £365.

"King's Head" £455.

"King's Arms" "£900.

"Ship" £510.

"Swan" £860.

"Three Kings" £710.

The "Bell, with Tap," &c. and Assembly Rooms, since sold for £2,000.

The "New Inn," "Two Brewers," and "Black Bear," did not sell.

Mr. Noakes was the Solicitor and Messers. Pott and Denne, of sandwich, were the auctioneers.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday, 26 December, 1846. Price 5d.

DEATH

Dec. 22, at Sandwich, Mr. John Brooks, landlord of the "Crispin Inn," aged 62.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 22 April 1882.

On Wednesday afternoon Mr. John Costell, a gentleman from London, was driving a lady and Mr. H. Miles, landlord of the "Anchor Inn," from Ramsgate, when about a mile from Sandwich he ran foul of a stone cart, overthrowing their conveyance and precipitating them into the road, Mr. Costell receiving a severe wound on the head and the wheel passing over his body. He was conveyed to the "Crispin Inn," and attended to by Dr. Scott, who pronounced him in a very precarious state. The other occupants of the vehicle were very much shaken.

From an email received 24 December 2011.

I was a recent visitor to the Crispin Inn - a lovely old building in a beautiful place. I was particularly interested in the list of licensee in the bar, and thought that you may be interested to know that in the 1881 Census, my great-great-grandfather Albert Dilnot is shown as the innkeeper there, with his daughter Julia working as a barmaid. If at any time you update the list, you may like to add his name.

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year,

Regards,

Elizabeth Long.

Above photo showing a shot of the bar area, June 2013.

In May 2018 the owners changed from Punch Taverns to Star (Heineken Ltd.)

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By the Secret Drinker, 27 March 2026.

Secret Drinker reviews the historic Crispin Inn on Sandwich High Street.

How long has it been since you visited a pub mid-week and the bar was so busy you had to ask people to excuse you just to move about?

I must have driven past this one dozens of times without actually making it in – in fact, given the traffic lights before the Toll Bridge, I’ve had to stop outside and gaze longingly through the large sash windows on many occasions.

The Crispin Inn on Sandwich High Street has one of those doors where you step down into the pub from the pavement and immediately know you’re entering a building which boasts considerable age, the low ceilings and beams just confirm the fact.

When you have to step down through the front door, you know you're entering a building with a considerable history - the Crispin can trace its roots right back to the 15th Century.

Dan the friendly barman, was out front chatting to locals but swiftly took up position when I approached the bar and it wasn’t more than a minute before I had a pint of Harvey’s Sussex Best in my hand. I could have opted for a Timothy Taylor Landlord at the same £5.20 price or even saved myself 50p on another draught IPA, Ghost Ship. Not a bad selection at all.

I was mightily impressed by how busy the pub was at 8.30pm on a Thursday but when I questioned Dan he said it is always like this. There were lots of individual groups and one trio of old boys amused themselves most of the evening talking about transformers and generators. Then, a load of people left and I thought it had quietened down but there was another massive influx at 9pm and the packed hubbub was happily restored.

There was music playing at a sensible level in the background and, had Mrs SD been here, she’d have been very impressed by Olivia Rodrigo’s Vampire and Nightingale Lane from Raye.

The bar looked incredibly busy to me but the barman assured me this was usual for a Thursday evening - everyone was so keen to be close to the bar it made passing manoeuvres tricky.

There’s no dartboard, pool table, jukebox, fruit machines or even TV screens and the wonderful atmosphere strongly suggests they’d be surplus to requirements anyway.

The front bar was packing them in, and I was positioned towards the bottleneck, although the removal of a table and two chairs could easily open up this congested passing point. I decided to take my drink through to the smaller back bar. This is much less rustic than the front with more softly padded chairs, a carpet and dark wooden tables with salt and pepper and small glass vases containing some very plastic flowers. There is also a sign on the door which reads: ‘Sorry, this is our only dog-free area’.

There were already two groups in situ, a gang of trendy silver surfers on one side and a flock of young lads in caps (mainly worn backwards) on the other side, and they were interacting really well.

The whole pub is painted green inside but the back room is a classier, darker hue, although it has the same large sash windows and another open fireplace. I particularly liked the old-fashioned wooden doors with stained glass spelling out ‘private bar’.

The back room, the only area of the pub to be declared a dog-free zone, is painted a darker shade of green and features an impressive fireplace.

The front bar is far more down-to-earth than the upmarket back room, as shown here by the plainer brick fireplace and uncarpeted wooden floorboards.

The smiley, pleasant barmaid was checking the whereabouts of cheese and onion crisps with Dan and I got the impression she may be new to the job, not least because she still has to master the subtle art of manoeuvring around a co-worker in a small space.

I wasn’t in to eat, but there is a sizeable dining area to the right-hand-side of the pub and there were a few diners finishing their meals, but this is predominantly a pub for friends to meet up, chat and sink a few pints.

Sure, there are plenty of trendy lightbulbs, some of them even arranged in trios to look like propellers, which light up the impressive beams. But, it’s pleasantly surprising to find a pub which doesn’t feel the need to festoon them either with green hops or fairy lights.

This is a pub which knows what it wants to be and how to achieve it – people are left free to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

I didn't check to see if the kegs were empty or full but either way they make an interesting decorative feature in the dining room to the right-hand-side of the pub.

The area set aside for dining, extends out quite a good distance.

There’s plenty of history available, and you can read all about it on a poster on the wall, right back to 1491. The pub has even got its own logo, with crossed hammers and a shoe, but I’ll leave you to discover its full story for yourselves.

Sadly, I was getting picked up at 10pm but even as I was departing, I’m delighted to report there were still several large groups of folks coming in to take full advantage of a popular bar on a mid-week evening.

After several experiences of visiting pubs in recent weeks which have chosen to close early due to a lack of interested customers it really is refreshing to discover a traditional inn, on a town high street, which is so well supported it has no choice but to go on serving until it finally has to call ‘time gentlemen please’ at the correct hour – long may the success of the Crispin Inn continue.

CRISPIN INN, 4 HIGH STREET, SANDWICH CT13 9EA.

Décor: More shades of green than I’ve ever seen, a great packed front bar with floorboards and beams. A more sophisticated, dog-free and comfortable back bar. I also liked the kegs decorating the dining area. ****

Drink: A good choice on draught with two very different IPAs and the ever-impressive Sussex Best. Guinness and all the other usual lagers are also available. ****

Price: A pint of Harvey’s Sussex Best was priced at £5.20 and Timothy Taylor Landlord (IPA) was exactly the same. An Adnams’ Ghost Ship (IPA) was cheaper at £4.70 and a Cruzcampo lager was £6.10. ***

Staff: Dan might be busy but he still finds time for a friendly word with everyone, as well as investing time in training his new barmaid, who also seemed keen to learn and impress. *****

The gents’ toilets, which like the rest of the pub are painted green, were in excellent condition and very well maintained - though it looks as if someone has scratched one wall.