CROWN Pubs of Finglesham

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Wednesday, 13 December, 2023.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest 1674

Crown

Open 2023+

The Street

Finglesham

01304 612555

www.thecrownatfinglesham.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com

https://whatpub.com/crown-inn

Above photo, pre 1929, also showing the sign of the "White Horse", kindly sent by Tony Wells.

The picture seen on the wall of the pub in the photo above is actually the Tomson & Wotton logo for their Allbright bitter.

Above photo taken in 1960 and kindly sent by Terry Wheeler of the Ramsgate Historical Society.

Photo date unknown from http://www.flickr.com by John Law.

Aerial shot of Crown at Finglesham, date unknown.

Above photo of the Crown at Finglesham. Photo by Tony Wells 2007.

Above photo, 2020, showing the barn. Kindly sent by Tone Wells.

Above photo, 2020, showing the outhouses. Kindly sent by Tony Wells.

Above photo, 2020, showing the restaurant. Kindly sent by Tony Wells.

Above photo, 2020. Kindly sent by Tony Wells.

Above two photographs by Paul Skelton May 2008.

Above Whitbread card, 1973 and series unknown.

The Crown is housed in a 16th Century building of which was originally two farm dwellings. The east facing building being built in 1208, and was part of the Cotmanton Court estate (later Cottington). The other property was built in 1340 as a shepherds cottage and it is this building that became the Crown.

The earliest known occupant was a Josia Critch, yeoman and shepherd of the Northbourne parish around 1357, and with his wife Eleanor, had 9 children, all born in this house.

In 1523, the property was in the hands of William Spatchhurst.

In 1580 it was purchased by Jacob Swyfte a yeoman of the parish, who owned the premises till 1628 when he sold it including 15 acres of adjoining land of which three acres were planted with hops.

In 1674, the property was bought by Nicolas Wane, a hop grower and common beer seller of the parish of Ash, next to Sandwich and on October 4th 1675, gained the licence to sell ales and ciders that he brewed himself. At this time the house bore no title as it does today.

In 1720, the house was granted a full licence and was registered under its present name of the Crown and refers to the reformation of the Crown in 1660. This was done in order to allow the rector of the parish to hold tithe suppers in the buildings.

In 1780, the Crown became the posting house for the parish and remained so until the first post office in the village was opened.

1785 saw William Pittock as licensee and he held this post for 52 years till his death in 1837 when his widow Elizabeth took over before eventually selling to William Harris, who kept the inn as a market gardener as well as inn.

Subsequent licensees, William Ford, James Taylor and Arthur Ongley, were all market gardeners.

The Crown now trades as both a restaurant and Free House public house, is in a certified Caravan Club location and is one of the few pubs outside of Canterbury to play Bat and Trap.

South Eastern Gazette, 12 June, 1860.

DEATH.

On the 2nd inst., at Finglesham, after a long protracted illness, Mr. William Harris, landlord of the "Crown Inn," aged 49 years, much respected.

From the Kentish Chronicle, 30 July, 1864.

MANSLAUGHTER AT NORTHBOURNE.

Stephen Jordan was indicted for the manslaughter of George Church, at Northbourne, on the 22nd March. Also for maliciously wounding John Bushell, and Stepen Amos, at the same time and place.

John Bushell, a farm servant living at Northbourne, said that on Friday evening, the 25th March, he was at the “Crown Inn,” Northbourne, with George Church, the deceased and three or four other persona. They all left at 11 o'clock, and went as for as Marley-lane, and while they were standing talking there, the prisoner came along, and Church, who was the worst for liquor, said to him “How do you do, parson?” Jordan then pulled off his coat and hat, saying, “If you are any man come out of it. I will fight the best man here.” Church said “I don’t want to fight, as I am a good support to the pointing-post (a sign post against which he was standing) William Kemp picked the prisoner’s clothes up, and told him to put them on again, as they did not want him fighting there. Jordan talked with one of the number about ten minutes, and then went away towards the “Crown.” Witness, Stephen Amos, and George Church, followed the prisoner, and when they came up to him he again pulled off his coat, and said he would fight all three, and went up to Amos. Witness pulled his jacket off to assist, when prisoner stabbed Amos. He went to his assistance, and prisoner stabbed him in the arm, and also Church, whom he struck in the side. He saw a knife in prisoner's hands.

Stephen Amos, farm servant, said that on Good Friday, 25th March, he was at the “Crown Inn,” with Bushell. He then corroborated the facts as to the assault.

Michael Frend also gave confirmatory testimony.

Superintendent William Stokes, stationed at Sandwich, said that when prisoner was brought to the station on this charge he admitted that he had stabbed the deceased, but said, “I did it in my own defence because they said they would murder or rob me.” He was quite sober. He found a clasp knife on him, stained with blood.

Thomas Hayward, parish constable, and who was relative to the deceased, stated that Church was brought to his house, and, in consequence of what the deceased said, he went after prisoner and apprehended him.

Mr. Mason, surgeon, said he examined Church, and found a wound between the fourth and fifth ribs. He dressed the wound and saw the deceased two or three times a day until be died. Death was caused by pleura pneumonia produced by the wound in his side. Such a wound might have been caused by the knife produced.

The dying declaration of the deceased having been read, and was to the same effect as the evidence of the above witnesses.

Mr. Addison addressed the Court, urging that prisoner had, only acted in self-defence, and that he had no intention to inflict serious injury.

Guilty:— Eight months’ hard labour.

From the Deal Walmer and Sandwich Mercury' 5 September 1868.

Information taken from following web address:- http://freespace.virgin.net/andrew.parkinson4/

Finglesham Property Sale - 1868

FINGLESHAM, KENT

CARPENTER'S AND WHEELWRIGHT'S

PREMISES, and COTTAGE PROPERTY,

WHICH WILL BE

SOLD BY AUCTION,

BY Mr. LANGLEY

AT THE CROWN INN, FINGLESHAM,

On Thursday, the 8th day of OCTOBER, 1868,

At Two for Three o'clock in the Afternoon

IN TWO LOTS.

Lot 1. AN eligible and desirable FREEHOLD PROPERTY in Finglesham Street, in the Parish of Northbourne, comprising a convenient Dwelling - house, Carpenter's Shop, Out - houses, Lodges, Timber - yard, and Garden; and also TWO PIECES of LAND adjoining the whole, containing 2a. 0r. 10p., more or less, for many years occupied by Mr. SCARLETT, Carpenter and Wheelwright, and offering an excellent opportunity for securing good Business Premises.

Lot 2. - A very convenient FREEHOLD MESSUAGE, with good Garden and Premises, having a Frontage of 42ft. to Finglesham Street, and extending back 163ft., and now in the occupation of Mr. Edward Dewell.

Canterbury Journal, 8th April 1882.

Till Robbery by a Soldier.

Before C. J. Plumtree and K. Wilkie, Esqrs.

John O'Brien, a Royal Marine, was indicted for stealing 10s, belonging to William Ford of Northbourne.

Mr. Denman prosecuted, and the prisoner was undefended.

Sarah Kemp, housekeeper to the prosecutor, who is landlord of the "Crown Inn" Finglesham, stated that on the morning of the 9th March, O'Brien was in the tap room and bar for about 3 hours alone.
Four persons came in on business and paid 12s. 9d., the half-sovereign paid being wrapped in a piece of the London Journal and placed in the till with the other money. Immediately after the man was gone the half sovereign was missed.

Elizabeth Tomlin, barmaid at the "Jolly Gardener Inn," situated about 2 miles from Finglesham, stated that between 10 and 11 on the day in question the prisoner came into the public house where she was employed. He purchased some refreshments and paid half a sovereign for them.

P.C. Fowler, stationed at Great Mongeham, said he apprehended the prisoner on the 10th March at Eastry. The man at first said he had only a few half pence, but witness found in his pockets four florins and 5 pence halfpenny. Also a piece of paper on which the London Journal was printed. Witness compare the paper with a London Journal from which the piece had been torn and found that it corresponded. Prisoner made a long statement in defence. He denied having taken the money, and said the piece of paper he had in his pocket was part of a strip he used to light his pipe. An officer belonging to the Regiment in which the prisoner belong said the man had been 6-months a soldier and his character was fair.

The jury returned a verdict of guilty. The chairman, in passing sentence said it was a sad sight to see a man in Her Majesty's uniform convicted of felony; but he thought the jury had come to a perfectly right verdict. Although it did not come out in evidence, it seems that the theft was committed to a certain extent under the influence of drink - the greatest curse, no doubt, that existed in our land. He would be ordered to undergo 2 months hard labour.

The sessions terminated at about 4:30.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 10 October 1885.

NORTHBOURNE. A CHILD DROWNED.

The East Kent coroner (R. M. Mercer, Esq) on Thursday held an inquest at the "Crown Inn," Northbourne, upon the body of Frederick James Bushell, the child of a labourer. John Henry Bushell, of West-Street, Finglesham, stated that the deceased, his son, was about one year and ten months. He was called home on the afternoon of the previous day and was told that the child had been drowned in the dyke at the back of the cottages where he lived. Mr. John Nethersole, of Ham, Sandwich, was his landlord, but they had never had any conversation about any fencing along the stream. Emma Down deposed that when the child was missed she and the mother went in search for it. Witness found the deceased lying face downwards in the water, and quite dead. There were no other children playing near. The jury returned a verdict of "Found drowned," and added a rider to the effect that the landlord should cause the stream to be protected and a fence put up.

From the Deal Walmer and Sandwich Mercury 3 February 1894.

Information taken from following web address:- http://freespace.virgin.net/andrew.parkinson4/

SALES BY AUCTION

[By order of the Trustees].

NORTHBOURNE, NEAR DEAL.

VALUABLE FREEHOLD COTTAGE

PROPERTY

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY

BY Mr. T. LANGLEY

At the "CROWN" INN, FINGLESHAM,

On TUESDAY, 6th FEBRUARY, 1894, at 3 o'clock in the Afternoon (by order of the surviving Trustee of Mr. ABRAHAM CLARINGBOWL, deceased), in the undermentioned lots:

Lot 1. A FREEHOLD COTTAGE and GARDEN containing about 15 perches of Land, situate in the street, at Finglesham, in the Parish of Northbourne, in the occupation of Mr. GEORGE GIFFORD.

Lot 2. - TWO other FREEHOLD COTTAGES and GARDENS, adjoining the above, comprising about 21 perches of Land, tenanted by Messrs. THOMAS KEMP and EDWARD WOOD.

[Announcement the following week states they were not sold, as they did not reach the reserve price]

From the Whitstable Times, 6 March, 1897.

CANTERBURY BANKRUPTCY COURT.

A sitting of this Court was held at the Guildhall on Monday before his Honour Judge W. L. Selfe.

Re Leonard Wraight, late of the “Crown Inn” Finglesham, near Deal, and now the late of Delph Street, Sandwich, Dealer.

Under this failure a statement of affairs has been issued showing debts amounting to £146 13s. 4d., and a deficiency of £129 3s. 4d. The causes of failure are stated to be “loss of stock and agricultural depression.” The receiving order was made on a creditor’s petition, the act of bankruptcy being the non-compliance with the requirements of a bankruptcy notice. The Official Receiver reports as follows;— The debtor commenced business as a publican and farmer in 1882, at “Swing Gate Inn,” Deal road, near Dover, with a capital of £200, of which £100 was borrowed. In 1885 the debtor took Tickenhurst Farm (115 acres), the valuation amounting to £385, of which £285 was allowed to stand over. The farm was carried on for 10 years, and was relinquished in 1895, the valuation amounting to £340, of this £150 was due to the landlord, and the debtor received the balance. At Michaelmas, 1895, the debtor took Ringleton Farm (176 acres). No valuation was made. The debtor states he only remained there for about six months, during which time he alleges he spent upwards of £500 on the farm in tillages, and having disagreed with the landlord he relinquished the farm and has not received anything in respect of his expenditure thereon. On leaving Ringleton the debtor took the “Crown Inn,” Finglesham, the valuation on which amounted to £355, or which he borrowed £100. He continued to carry on this business until 3rd December last, when he received as valuation due to the outgoing tenant the sum of £325, out of which he states he repaid the £100 borrowed and £25 due to the landlord. An account will have to be furnished showing how the amount received for the valuation was disposed of. After leaving the “Crown Inn” the debtor resided for a short time at Delph Street, Sandwich, and for the past six weeks he has resided at Finglesham, where he states he is engaged as a farm bailiff. The furniture in the debtor’s residence is claimed by his wife as having been purchased by her in December last for £60 with money borrowed, and in respect of which she has given a bill of sale over the furniture. The debtor has not kept any books of account.

From the Deal Walmer and Sandwich Mercury, September 26 1914.

Information taken from following web address:- http://freespace.virgin.net/andrew.parkinson4/

A Quarrel at Finglesham

At the County Police Court on Monday, before Ald. W. J. Solomon (in the chair) and Mr. C. J. Burgess, William Taylor was charged with assaulting Frederick Hawkes, at Finglesham on the 13 inst.

Defendant [William Taylor] pleaded "Guilty of striking him, but under provocation."

Prosecutor [Frederick Hawkes], a farm hand, who spoke with a very broad country accent, said he lived at Finglesham. On Sunday night week about a quarter past eight, he walked across the marshes with Taylor and went into the Crown Inn with him. Witness treated a woman to a glass of ginger beer.

"He (defendant) [William Taylor] got on to me about it, and I told him to look after his woman at Eastry." That was all. In consequence of that I suppose it got his blood up, and he got up and struck me in the face. He fair knocked me silly for about ten minutes."

The Clerk: "Don't you think it was a little indiscreet what you said?

Defendant [William Taylor]: Do you think it right to bring another woman in, knowing I was a married man with a wife and family? You insulted me with regard to this lady, didn't you?

Prosecutor [Frederick Hawkes]: And you insulted me, now come! I never said nothing more to you but what came over the table.

William Laming, living at Cottington Chalk-pit, said he saw Taylor knock his mate down, right across the legs, but he did not know what caused it.

The chairman: Do you mean to say you saw him do all that, and didn't hear what was the matter between them then? It is most difficult thing to believe, I must say.

Defendant [William Taylor] said they were sitting in the Crown enjoying themselves and a word or two passed between them. They were having a joke, and threw something in the defendant's face which happened 18 months ago, and which he was trying to forget. It was over in a minute and he was sorry for it directly and was sorry for it now.

Prosecutor [Frederick Hawkes]: I am 56 or 57 years old and you about 30.

The chairman said the Bench must certainly convict the case. They considered the case proven and defendant had pleaded guilty, although under provocation, which they certainly believed there was. There was nothing else known against him in the Court. He must not take the law into his own hands, and the provocation he received did not justify him knocking Hawkes about as he (the chairman) saw him when he applied for the summons. The costs were heavy, and they would fine him 5s and costs 4s 6d., remitting the remainder of the costs. The money was paid.

The Scotsman 04 March 1926.

WOMAN'S DEATH AT SEA. GALLANT ATTEMPTS AT RESCUE.

A verdict of accidental death was returned at an inquest at Cowes yesterday on Emma Harriet Priestley (24) of "Crown Inn," Finglesham, Kent, who was the victim of an accident on the trader ketch Harwich, of Ipswich, at Cowes on Tuesday. Deceased and her step-sister Gladys Briggs, of the same address, were living on the ketch, and in preparing the dinner Priestley, it was stated, went on deck to clean out a bowl. She appeared to slip on the wet deck, and fell over the two-feet rail into the sea.

Captain Roy Rands, of Ipswich, master of the ship, although unable to swim, jumped in to save her, and both were carried away when Frederick Walter Page, the mate, went to their assistance, and eventually succeeded in rescuing them. Later Rands went for a doctor, but Priestley, after showing signs of recovery, died before he arrived.

The Coroner said it was unfortunate the doctor was not sent for immediately, as deceased's life might have been saved.

Rands and Page had behaved heroically.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 3 September, 1926.

MINER ASSAULTS FINGLESHAM PUBLICAN.

A sitting of the Deal County Petty Sessions was held at the Town Hall, Deal, on Monday, before Mr. C. J. Burgess (in the chair), Messrs. H. J. May and E. J. Atkins, when Michael Lynch, a pit sinker, of Finglesham, was summoned for (1) assaulting Henry James Hooker, the licensee of the "Crown," Finglesham; (2) being disorderly and refusing to quit licensed premises when requested to do so; and (3) for doing damage to the value of 16s., to the personal property of Henry James Hooker.

Lynch pleaded that he was drunk and did not know he had done it until the following morning when he was told.

Mr. Gerald Hardeman prosecuted on behalf of Mr. Hooker, and said that the Bench would, no doubt, find the evidence in regard to the assault quite clear, and with regard to the second summons for refusing to quit the premises, it was a rather curious fact that under the present law it was not an offence ordinarily to refuse to quit licensed premises, but only when the person who refused to do so was drunk, violent, quarrelsome or disorderly. He asked the Bench, in giving their decision, to grant costs.

Henry James Hooker, licensee of the "Crown," Finglesham, said:- Lynch came in during the evening, and during the time he was there he had four or five pints, but he was not drunk. Just before ten o'clock another miner came in and asked for a pint of ale, with which I served him. I then served Lynch with four flagons (quart bottles) to take away. At ten o’clock I called ‘‘Time.” Just then the other gentleman who had come in after Lynch asked for three flagons, but I told him it was past time. He again said he wanted them, and then Lynch said, “Give him three flagons, you b____, or I'll come over and get them." I said, “You must not do that." He argued for about five minutes, and then tried to get over the counter, but I put my hand against him and told him to stop the other side. With that he struck me. This was about seven or eight minutes after ten o'clock. After this I asked him to leave, and my wife tried to persuade him to go. He tried to get over the counter again, and I pushed him back again. He could not have been drunk, or he would have fallen then. I did not push him roughly, but simply put my hand against his chest. He called me a name, and struck at me, but he hit a glass and it flew into a thousand pieces. There were some drinking glasses also smashed, and the total damage he did I estimate at 16s. After that he went home quietly.

Lynch:- I was only drunk. I am sorry I did it.

The Chairman, in fining the defendant, said he must remember that the licensees, with all the restrictions they had placed upon them, had a very difficult business to carry on. He would be fined for the assault 10s., and costs 20s.; for refusing to quit 10s., and costs 10s.; and for damage 4s., 16s. for the damage, and 10s, costs—a total of £4.

Defendant was allowed a fortnight in which to pay, distress if not paid, and, in default of payment, seven days’ imprisonment for each offence, to run consecutively.

Above sale leaflet 1927.

Dover Express 27 November 1936.

MRS. H. J. HOOKER.

The funeral took place on Friday last, at St. Augustine's Churchyard, Northbourne, of Mrs Ann Hooker, wife of Mr. H. J. Hooker, of the "Crown Inn," Finglesham, who died on November 16th, in hospital, at the age of 67 years. Canon Thomas officiated.

Dover Express 15 March 1946.

At the Wingham Petty Sessions, at Canterbury, on Thursday, Viscount Hawarden presiding, the only business was the transfer of the "Crown Inn," Finglesham, from Mr. H. J. Hooker to Mr. E. J. Kemp, and a number of summonses for non-payment of war damage contributions.

From the East Kent Mercury, 22 January, 1987.

WELL DONE JOHN

Sir,

I would like to thank Mr John Radford, licensee of the "Crown Inn" at Finglesham who appeared in his four wheel drive vehicle and helped a minivan which was blocking; the Sandwich-Deal road during the heavy drifting last Wednesday evening.

By towing the vehicle to Sholden he enabled a long column of vehicles to proceed to Deal which may well have been trapped for hours.

I am sure that I write on behalf of many people involved in the jam who would like to thank Mr Radford for his public spirited act.

I gather he cleared the road in the Sandwich direction on his return journey.

LIEUT-COL M. J. MARTIN, Spode House, St George's Road, Deal.

From the Dover Mercury, 21 December, 1989.

INN'S COSY NOOK

Diners at the Crown, Finglesham, are intrigued by the magnificent inglenook fireplace dominating the restaurant.

It dates from around 1600 and was uncovered and restored by Les Boniface and George Petrie when they took over the Crown in 1966.

Gary and Beverley Virtue, who have been at the Crown for 18 months, tell me [Tony Arnold] they are always being asked about the fireplace by first time visitors.

The Crown is currently producing fine Christmas fare, with meals seven days a week, including a Sunday lunch with a varied choice of dishes at £6.25.

From the Dover Mercury, 7 February, 2002

THE 18th century Crown Inn at Finglesham near Deal has once again won the Best Pub competition run by the local tourist industry.

And the Dover High Street store Dover Pine and Reproduction is judged the best shop in the district.

Both competitions are run to find the best places for tourists to visit in the Dover district.

It's the third time in ten years that Gary and Beverley Virtue's Crown Inn has won the White Cliffs Country Tourist Association award.

Gary, 43, was educated at Archers Court and at Dover Grammar School and Beverley attended Astor School.

The owners of the Best Shop are partners Susanne Crawley, John Harris and Carl Potter who moved their business to Dover's High Street from Buckland in June last year.

Teams of "mystery shoppers" from the WCCTA, pretending they were tourists, visited nominated pubs and shops in Dover; Deal and Sandwich before making their decisions.

From the Dover Mercury, 21 February, 2002

THE White Cliffs Country Tourism Association presented awards to the district's top businesses.

The Crown Inn at Finglesham and Dover Pine and Reproduction took the honours as top pub and shop - with the "New Inn" at Sandwich and the Dover Travel Shop both receiving highly commended awards.

Chairman of the association, Annette Macpherson, said: "These awards are about rewarding excellence and reinforcing the message that Dover district has a wealth of excellent businesses."

Main picture: The Crown Inn and inset. Pine and Reproduction.

Advert from Dover Express 11 January 2007.

Above advert appeared in the Dover Mercury 25 October 2007.

From the Dover Mercury, 20 March 2008. Advertiser's announcement.

Egg hunts and much more at family pub.

ENJOY Easter with the family at The Crown Inn at Finglesham.

The 16th century pub has plenty to offer children and their parents.

A giant bunny will be hiding wooden eggs in the garden so children can hunt for them and win prizes in the Easter egg adventure on Sunday and Monday between noon and 4pm.

All children will receive an egg and cuddly toy and there will be a healthy children’s menu for when they have worked up an appetite.

A new wooden play tower will also provide hours of fun and allow parents to sit back and relax.

The pub is owned by Jackie and David Cooper, Who have two young children of their own.

Jackie said: “I know how hard it can be for parents to relax at weekends.

“Our Easter aim is to keep the children entertained so the parents can enjoy the long weekend too.

“We also have complimentary jars of baby food and nappies, so even the babies are catered for.”

The pub has an excellent reputation for its home-cooked quality food and great selection of ales, which led to it being awarded the title of Deal, Dover and Sandwich Pub of the Year 2007, by CAMRA (Campaign For Real Ale.)

Next month there is a full calendar of special evenings including tapas and curry nights.

April is also the month for the Crown’s wedding fair, which will feature a range of local businesses catering for the big day.

The event on April 20 will include a marquee in the large garden and three fashion shows.

Money will also be raised on the day for Demelza House Children’s Hospice.

From the Dover Mercury, Thursday, 9 April, 2008. (Advertising)

Above picture is the garden of the pub.

From the Dover Mercury, Thursday, 8 May, 2008. (Advertising)

Chefs' talent at the Crown.

Chef John Radford and new chef Craig Edgell, whose new catchphrase at the Crown Inn, Flnglesham, is "happy days"

Picture: Chris Davey pd1411439

A YOUNG chef with new ideas has joined the staff at the award-winning Crown Inn, Finglesham.

With John Radford in charge of the kitchen, the excellent reputation of the pub and restaurant is already in good hands.

He has now been joined by Craig Edgell, who scooped the Chef of the Year title twice in succession while he was studying at Thanet College. Gary Rhodes is the only student to have met such high standards.

To celebrate Craig's arrival, he has joined forces with John to create a menu to remember for a gourmet night on Friday, May 23.

Bookings can be made now for the meal which will offer eight courses, featuring a delicious Kentish lamb dish.

Apart from the gourmet evening, The Crown has an oyster night on Thursday, May 15, when the fresh delicacies can be enjoyed with a glass of Gadds 6.1 per cent Oyster Stout.

The oysters are rock oysters from Scotland that are purified in Whitstable and will be served by Eddie Gilberts from Thanet.

David and Jackie' Cooper are in charge at the pub and restaurant and described their team of staff as fantastic.

Jackie said: "It is good to have Craig with us and we see his arrival as adding to the continual success at The Crown.

"He is full of enthusiasm and from our point of view he is the icing on the cake."

The 16th century Crown was awarded Pub of the Year by the Deal, Dover and Sandwich branch of the Campaign for Real Ale. The pub now has a wedding licence, for weddings to take place either inside or in the gazebo.

To book a table for the gourmet night ring 01304 612555.

From the Dover Mercury, 27 August, 2009.

Four days of family fun at pub festival

Sylvia Guy, manager at the Crown Inn in Finglesham, who is preparing for a busy four-day beer festival Picture: Terry Scott

FOUR fun-filled days for all the family are in store at the Crown Inn, a gem of a pub and restaurant in Finglesham.

A beer festival, pig roast and bouncy castles will be pulling in the crowds from noon to closing time and there is also a chance to help good causes in a giant raffle.

Manager Sylvia Guy said: "It is going to be a big weekend for all the family and everyone is guaranteed a good time. We have parking available at the paddock behind the pub and the garden is fenced off, so it is easy to keep an eye on the children.

"There is the usual bouncy castle for the little ones for the four days and for the young at heart we will have bouncy castle just for adults on the Sunday."

A selection of real ales will be served by a variety of brewers, including the Nethergate Brewery and Brentwood Brewery, both in Essex, and the Dark Star Brewery in Sussex.

The Crown Inn usually has an Early Bird Special promotion, offering a £2 pint or glass of wine every Friday between 4pm and 6pm.

Top prizes in the raffle include a P&O ferry trip to France and a free meal for two at the pub and restaurant, with profits going to Kent Air Ambulance and the prostate cancer charity Dad's Quest.

The Crown Inn has an excellent reputation for its home cooked food and its standards continue to rise.

It has also become renowned as a wedding and reception venue.

From the Dover Express, Thursday, 19 January, 2012. 65p. Report by Scarlet Jones

GETTING your kit off for a charity calendar can be daunting enough even without the appearance of a top celebrity chef at the launch.

However, Finglesham's answer to the Calendar Girls were flavour of the month when Phil Vickery took time out from tantalising taste-buds on ITV's This Morning to come along to their launch and show his support.

At launch, held at the "Crown Inn" on Saturday, October 13, a gathering of the models, sponsors and other supporters turned out to officially launch the Crown Jewels of Finglesham 2013 Charity Calendar.

Mr Vickery, who is married to Fern Britton - one of this year's contestants on Strictly Come Dancing - agreed to come along to the launch as both he and his brother Mike Vickery were sponsors of the calendar.

Mr Vickery gave a speech congratulating the ladies, as well as signing copies of the calendar.

The charity calendar started after a chance conversation in the bar and has involved the ladies of the pub and village.

It was produced in support of their chosen charities, the Macmillan Cancer Support and the National Autistic Society.

Fantastic

Rachael Vicary, who managed the project, said: “Putting together the calendar has been hard work and great fun and we've had fantastic support form the locals and villagers.

“The launch event was a brilliant success and we sold over 100 calendars during the evening, which is a fantastic start.”

The photos features the ladies in their cars, with their horses and dogs, in the garden and, of course, at the bar of the pub.

The calendar's photographer, Candice Kemp, said: “The biggest problem was getting the ladies to relax during the photo sessions.

“One or two of the photos were particularly difficult and it's true what they say about not working with animals - in particular horses and chickens!”

Mrs Vicary added that in the interests of equality, they would now work on creating a Finglesham men's calendar for 2014 and were looking for volunteers.

Jeremy Pearson of Animal House Veterinary Services, said: “I'm very pleased to be able to support this worthy project as my father was looked after by Macmillan nurses.”

Calendars can be bought at the Crown Inn, Finglesham, for £10.

Sponsors behind the calendar include: The "Crown Inn" at Finglesham; Taskersun and Son; Martin Coleman; Puma Conservatories, Windows and Doors; D Gray and Son Building Contractors; P Jenner Farm Services Ltd; Mike Vickery Farrier; Foxborough Auto Centre; Kiwi Gardens; H H Toh Dental Surgeon; Animal House Veterinary Services; Phil Vickery; and JAC Decorating.

From the Dover Mercury, 1 November, 2012. 80p

CHEF HELPS LADIES MAKE A DATE

TV CHEF Phil Vickery was the celebrity guest at the launch of a Calendar Girls style charity calendar in Finglesham.

Appropriately named The Crown Jewels of Finglesham, it sees lady regulars from the "Crown Inn" and village residents strip off in front of a camera - all in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and the National Autistic Society.

Candice Kemp, who photographed the volunteers, said: “The biggest problem was getting the ladies to relax during the photo sessions.

“One or two of the photos were particularly difficult and it's true what they say about not working with animals, in particular horses and chickens!”

Mr Vickery, who gave a short speech at the launch, attended because he is brother to Mike Vickery, one of the sponsors. He also signed copies of the calendar.

The idea started out from a chance conversation in the bar of the "Crown" and it grew with the support of willing models and sponsors.

Jeremy Pearson, Animal House Veterinary Services, said: “I'm very
pleased to be able to support this worthy project as my father was looked after by Macmillan nurses.”

Rachael Vickeary, who managed the project, said “The launch event was a brilliant success and we sold over 100 calendars during the evening, which is a fantastic start.”

Calendars can be bought at the "Crown Inn," Finglesham, for £10.

The ladies pose for the calendar and, TV chef Phil Vickery at the launch at The Crown Jewels in Finqlesham.

Photo left shows some of the ladies and Phil Vickery at the "Crown Inn," Finglesham.

Above photo 2014, kindly sent by Helen Ovenden. She says the following:- A new extension to the property was completed in November 2012 which now gives the pub a lovely sunny restaurant seating approximately 50 covers. This opens up to a patio area with further seating and then into the garden. Some new pictures for your site are attached below.

From the https://www.upi.com By Ben Hooper, 20 December 2019.

British man eats world record 33 Brussels sprouts in one minute.

A participant in an eating contest at a British pub broke a Guinness World Record by downing 33 Brussels sprouts in one minute.

Wayne Sherlock, 38, was named the champion at the contest organized by Veg UK Ltd. at The Crown Inn pub in Finglesham when he ate 33 Brussels sprouts in one minute, two more than the 31 downed by current Guinness World Record holder Linus Urbanec in 2008.

"It definitely takes a technique," Sherlock told Kent Online. "I just chewed like a pig and while doing that looked around for the smaller sprouts."

Sherlock was required to use a toothpick to skewer each sprout individually in accordance with Guinness rules.

"I kept the bowl close to my mouth and tried to give myself five seconds at the end to digest them," he said. "I had some pains in my chest once I'd finished but washed them down with a pint of Fosters."

Veg UK said video and other documentation from the event is being submitted to Guinness for official recognition.

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Liane Castle, 15 June 2023.

Owners of The Crown Inn in Finglesham, near Deal plan to add holiday let caravans to pub garden.

The new owners of a village pub have submitted a bid to build holiday lets in their garden to “keep the business sustainable”.

Brother-and-sister team Paul Austin and Amy Beaney took over The Crown Inn in Finglesham near Deal last August.

A CGI showing how the caravans proposed for The Crown Inn in Finglesham, near Deal could look.

But they say they have had a “difficult time” trying to keep the pub viable with rising bills and supply costs despite working hard to build up the business.

Despite the high demand for the rooms they currently offer, they say it is heartbreaking having to turn away potential guests because of the limitations of the existing accommodation.

The site currently has 10 chalets but only one is a family room, and none accept dogs.

In a bid to change this, they have applied to add four high-end family caravans to the garden lawn at the back of the site to cater for families and those looking for a dog-friendly getaway.

Mr Austin said: “The rooms are good for overnight stays, but they're not so good for longer breaks.

“People would be able to stay in the caravans for up to a week if they want to because they've got the kitchen.

“We have only got one family room at the minute which is quite popular, but when it is fully booked we haven't got room for more families.

“It is a nightmare having to turn people away, especially at this time of year.

“People will be able to bring their dogs with them too, something we know people love doing.

“A friend of mine said to me he stayed somewhere in Devon similar to our place but he chose them because they were dog friendly.

The Crown Inn in Finglesham near Deal currently has 10 rooms to let. Picture: The Crown Inn.

“They are self-catered so we don’t expect people will eat here every day, but they might pop in for a drink.“

Each caravan would be 12ft by 40ft in size, self-catered, wheelchair accessible and feature three bedrooms.

There will also be one parking space per dwelling and a cycle storage area to attract guests hoping to cycle around the Kent countryside.

It is hoped the self-catered caravans will attract more footfall to the village throughout the year and offer a more affordable option to families who might not be able to afford to eat out each night.

If plans are approved, Mr Austin and his sister hope to have the caravans ready for bookings next summer.