DOVER CASTLE HOTEL Pubs of Dover

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest 1805

Dover Castle Hotel

Latest 1910

6 Clarence Place

Quay or North Pier

Fronting the harbour near the north pier head

Union Street

Quay

Steam Packet Quay

The Dover Castle Hotel can just be seen to the left of the "Royal Hotel." Photo kindly sent by Terry Wheeler of the Ramsgate Historical Society.

The original stood at the seaward end of Union Street, (Buildings over the Wall), in 1805. Mr. Ford.

It was removed in 1844 when the tidal harbour was enlarged. There is evidence of the furniture and fittings being auctioned in November 1839. It was sometimes described as being near the North pier head. The name associated with it from 1830 to 1838 was Tom Divers. His wife Elizabeth continued, latterly here and then at its successor in Clarence Place up to 1875.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 16 November, 1833. Price 7d.

On Thursday night a female servant belonging to the "Dover Castle Inn," was attacked by a rough looking fellow, near the corner of Ordnance Buildings, who endeavoured to take away a bundle she was carrying; but being resisted, he made a snatch at her ear-rings, when the screams of the girl brought persons to her assistance, and the fellow escaped.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 28 February, 1835. Price 7d.

DOVER LOYAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL ASSOCIATION

A Conservative meeting was held at Divers' "Castle Hotel," on Tuesday, which was well attended by members of each class of society. The object of the meeting was the preliminary arrangements for the establishment of the above association, which were fully entered into, and a provisional Committee formed to prepare the requisite Regulations; after which the assembly spent the evening in social conviviality, honouring the usual loyal and patriotic toasts with true Conservative spirit and goodwill. - The names of several members were enrolled in the room, wince when there has been a powerful addition to the number.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 23 April, 1836. Price 7d.

An inquest was held on Monday, at the "Dover Castle Inn," before the Worshipful the Mayor, on the body of Richard Braham, who was found drowned in the inner harbour that morning. It appeared in papers found in his pockets, that the deceased was a porcelain engraver, who had been employed in France, and was on his return to Staffordshire. He arrived from Calais on Sunday afternoon, and on landing was noticed to act in an incoherent manner; but afterwards went to the "Swan" where he dined. In the evening he went out and was not again seen until discovered in the water, at daylight next morning. About three o'clock, cries of distress were heard by a policeman on duty; but on proceeding to the spot from where they seemed to come, he could not find any person. Twenty-two five-franc pieces, a thirty-sous piece, with a pocket-book and other articles, were found on the body. The Jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict of Found drowned.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 18 July, 1846. Price 5d.

DOVER PETTY SESSIONS

MONDAY - Henry Crosoer, commissioner at the "Dover Castle Hotel," was fined £1 1s., including costs, for obstructing passengers on arrival at the terminus of the railway.

Fine paid.

From the Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser, Saturday 11 November, 1848. Price 5d.

PETTY SESSIONS

John Hodson and Thomas Tyreman, gunners in the Royal Artillery, were brought up on a charge of obstructing persons on the foot-path.

Charles Goodban, commissioner at the "Dover Castle Hotel," stated that he and other parties were returning from the railway terminus last evening, when they were met by the defendants, who were intoxicated, and one of them (Hodson,) without any provocation, knocked down a porter names Sparkes. On Goodban's remonstrating on such uncalled-for violence, Tyreman stepped forward, and struck him on the ear.

John Parks, porter at the "Clarence Hotel," corroborated the foregoing statement.

Tyreman admitted that he himself struck both men, but that they commenced the assault; and Hodson denied striking any one.

The Mayor, A. F. Payn, Esq., (who for the first time since his election presided at the Justice Board,) expressed his regret that men belonging to the Royal Artillery, a corps whose conduct was generally so excellent, should appear on a charge of the nature before them.

Fined 10s. each, including costs; and in default were committed for seven days.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 6 November, 1858.

OBJECTIONABLE NUISANCE IN CLARENCE PLACE

The foul state of a passage near to the "Dover Castle Hotel," Clarence Place, caused by the continuance of a most objectionable practise which has been repeatedly brought before the Local Board, was again brought under the notice of the Committee by Mr. Robinson, who complained that the nuisance was now worse than ever, and that the residence of the houses adjoining were put to frightful inconvenience in consequence.

A conversation as to the best means of putting an end to the evil ensued, in the course of which Mr. Duke suggested that the passage should be stopped up altogether, and appealed to the Town Clerk as to whether that course could be legally adopted?

The Town Clerk said that it could, and that the Local Board, if they pleased, might sell the soil.

A gentleman thought that from the nature of the ground it might be advantageously devoted to agricultural purposes. (Laughter.)

It was also suggested that it might be adapted to purposes of public convenience, and ultimately it was decided that the Surveyor should inspect and report at the next meeting of the Committee, the members of which would then be in a better position to come to a determination on the subject.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 17 May, 1872. Price 1d.

James Landall, summoned for removing ashes from an ash pit at the back of the "Dover Castle Hotel" at illegal hours, was ordered to pay the costs, 5s. 6d.

It was sold in 1875 after Mrs. Divers died to Charles Poland for £6,250 which suggests it was no mean structure. Even so, he proceeded to enlarge it by incorporating two cottages at a cost of £1,500.

Perhaps business fell away. John Balcombe of London acquired the hotel in 1906 but by 1910 he seems to regret the venture and he departed in despair.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 17 December, 1909.

A MORTGAGED HOTEL

John Balcombe, of the "Dover Castle Hotel" was summoned for non payment of £6 17s. 6d. Water Rate, and District Rate amounting to £42. He said he had just paid £33 Poor Rate and £42 for electric light. He is waiting for a cheque from the mortgagees who are selling the place on Thursday next.

The Assistant Clerk: Supposing they do not sell?

Mr. Balcombe said he thought the mortgagees would still be liable.

The Assistant Clerk: Have they foreclosed the mortgage?

Mr. Balcombe said they had not, but as they held a bill of sale on his furniture for £1,000 and were trying to sell the property he would like the Magistrates to restrain before the sale on Thursday in order that the Corporation might be protected.

An order was made for payment forthwith.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 18 February, 1910.

THE DOVER CASTLE HOTEL

APPLICATION TO THE MAGISTRATES TODAY

At the Dover Police Court this morning, before the Mayor (W. Emden, Esq.) F. W. Prescott, and J. L. Bradley, Esqrs,.

Mr. B. Turner, of Messrs. Worsfold and Hayward, applied for a transfer of the licence of the "Dover Castle Hotel," from Mr. Balcome to his name.

Mr. Turner said Mr. Balcome wanted to leave the town for London. They were hoping to get a tenant, and to keep the licence alive, and he asked for it to be transferred to his name. He was not going to carry it on, and the house would be shut up to-day. They were hoping to dispose of it, but they had no definite name to put it into yet.

The transfer was allowed.

There is no evidence of the property being occupied again before 1924, when it was converted into flats. They were struck by enemy gunfire on 28 August 1940 and if not completely destroyed then, they would certainly have been taken down by 1950.