I have had one person write in stating that he had never heard of the Cottage of Content, nor the Three Tuns, and that he had drunk in the village all his life, and that I was talking absolute bunkum. I am not surprised he had not drunk in them - perhaps he should have lived a wee bit longer, as these two beerhouses existed in the Victorian era - they both appeared in the 1892 Petty Sessional Retruns for premises purveying alcholohic beverages in the town and were gone before the First World War. Just because you had not heard of them does not mean that they did not exist!!

Red Lion. Bletchingley

I have just had another email, this time from Bob Wallace correcting the date against a postcard image shown on this blog. Bob wrote saying: 

"You have the picture dated at C.1933 in fact it was taken about 1906, as the person in the picture is my Grandfather Arthur Wallis, who owned the Inn at that time, and later took over the newsagent . The lady in the alcove is my Grandmother and the small boy is my father who was born 1904 Bletchingley.

I have now corrected my error. Many thanks for that Bob. Please write in anyone who has relevant information that can be shared with our readers...

I recently had an interesting email from a reader who asks for information as follows:

Greetings,

My Great Great Great Grandfather Henry Colgate lived in Bletchingley. In the 1871 Census he was a brewers drayman,the first line of the census form where it say's street or name of house,it has Unwins.I would love to know if there are any records of brewers employees that worked in Bletchingley. Would be very grateful for any help.

Henry was born in Tonbridge Kent in 1826.The rumour goes that he eloped and married a Charlotte Jeal on 1st March 1846 in Bletchingley.They lived in Nutfield for a time as my Gt Gt Grandmother was born there.They then moved to Bletchingley.Henry and Charlotte had 10 children.In the 1851 census Henry worked as an Agriculture Labourer.In 1861 he was a Labourer in a Brewery,and lived in Brewer Street.In 1871 he was a Brewers Drayman,and Unwins was mentioned of the street or road.

Kind Regards, Maureen

Additional information re; The Whyte Harte

WHYTE HARTE, Bletchingley.

In the front bar of the house is a Marie Antoinette fire-back dated 1613. many years ago, this belonged to the near-by Fox & Hounds, Tilburstow Hill, but one night that landlord lost it to the landlord of the Whyte harte in a game of cards. Since then, successive landlords of the Fox have asked for it back, but so far their quest has been in vain!

Another object in the enormous inglenook fireplace which was gained easily is the Sussex duck's nest grate. This was cleaned up and sold by a farmer to the landlord for two pints of beer, when beer was 4d a pint! (Surrey Pubs, Richard Keeble. Batsford press, 1965. p18.)

BLETCHINGLEY

THE BREWERIES

Chivington Farm Brewery. (NGR TQ 342512) Civenture, now Chivington, which has long ceased to be a separate Manor, mentioned in the Domesday Book, still retains its name in a farm of about 70 acres, lying south of the road between Bletchingley and Godstone. The derivation of the name is probably to be referred to the tribe of Cifings, from whom Chevington in Suffolk and Chevigne, Chevincourt, etc. in France are also supposed to be derived. The farm was once moated, and thus attests to its antiquity.

The earliest reference to a brewery is in the 1832 Piggotts Directory wherein one John Hall is listed as brewer at Chivington, Bletchingley. Successive Piggotts and Post Office directories continue to list John Hall until 1877, when his widow Mary Hall is given as continuing the trade. The concern appears to have been taken over by William Turner and John L. Lashmar of the Oxted Brewery circa 1887 and no further reference is made in directories following that date.

Brewhouse, Brewer Street. The only other reference to brewing in Bletchingley assosciates No 8, Brewer Street with the industry. Nos 6, 7, & 8 Brewer Street date from the 16th century.

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THE PUBLIC HOUSES ETC

Bletchingley had a phenomenal number of public houses in the 19th century and many of them started up probably circa 1840 because of the railway development. In the 1850’s they had such a bad reputation that they were forbidden to the Guards stationed at Caterham barracks.

Cottage of Content, High Street. Situated 200 yards from the White Hart Inn and 200 yards from the Plough. In 1892 it was described as a beerhouse owned by Philip Howard of Bletchingley but tied to the Hornchurch Brewery Co., of Hornchurch, Essex. The licensee was a James Adams and the beerhouse frequented by labouring classes. James Adams appears in both the 1891 and 1895 directories.

Originally, the beerhouse was owned by Youell & Elkins of horley, brewers, and fell into the hands of the Hornchurch brewery when the Horley brewery was taken over.

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The Fox & Hounds, Union Lane. (NGR TQ 32755075) Situated 200 yards from the White Hart Inn, and 200 yards from the Plough.

In 1892 was a beerhouse owned by Nalder & Collyer of Croydon. The licensee was William Hilyer and the beerhouse was frequented by the labouring classes. William Hillyer was licensee from circa 1878 to 1895. Acquired by Nalder & Collyers in 1853 (SRO 337/1/86; SRO 337/1/79,83,85-87)

It stood at the southeast corner of the churchyard on the site now occupied by a car-port attached to No 4 The Mint. It was built on the line of the old High Street of Bletchingley that ran down Church walk and passed the churchyard wall and joined the present road at the Plough Inn (Uvedale Lambert letter 22.11.1972).

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The Plough, High Street (NGR TQ 330508)

Situated ¼ mile from the White hart, and ½ mile from the Red Lion. 17th century restored.

In 1892 described as a public house owned by Sir Benjamin Brodie of Reigate and tied to the Star Brewery Co., Eastbourne, for trade. The licensee was Thomas Fishlock. The accommodation could cater for 8 lodgers and had stabling for 8 horses. Frequented by labouring classes. Thomas Fishlock had been licensee since about 1882, when he replaced Thomas Sargeant (listed in 1878). G.Simmonds was there in 1859.

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The Prince Albert, High Street. (NGR TQ 328507) Situated 200 yards from the White Hart and 200 yards from the Plough Inn. 16th century restored.

In 1892 described as a beerhouse, owned and tied for trade to Young & Son, Dorking. The licensee was Christopher Wren, and the beerhouse was frequented by labouring classes.

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The Red Lion, High Street. (NGR TQ 232507) Situated ¼ mile from the William IV, and 2½ miles from the Spotted cow.

Commanding the entrance to Bletchingley village, the inn can be traced back as far as 1309 when it was known as the Maid. The princely sum of 3d was spent by the churchwardens on the occasion of a visit by Queen Catherine of Aragon to Bletchingley Place “on drynke when the Queen’s Grace came to the Maid”. Two years later, in 1521, when Henry VIII came to see his new property, The Place, forfeited to him upon the execution of the Duke of Buckingham, 2d was paid for a gallon of ale to the bell ringers, “against the kinge comynge to the Maid”.

In 1892 the licensee was John Bashford. Accommodation was provided for 4 lodgers and stabling for 2 horses. The inn was frequented by tradesmen and working classes.

Mellersh & Neale owned the inn until 1938. It was seriously damaged by fire on Wednesday 15th October 1969.

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Spotted Cow, Warwick Wood (NGR TQ 31055315) Situated 2½ miles from William IV, Bletchingley, and 2½ miles from Feathers, Merstham.

It stood on the road from Pendell Camp to White Hills at Warwick Wood. Subsequently named the Warwick Arms. Pulled down to make way for the M25 (Uvedale Lambert letter 22.11.1972).

In 1892 described as a public house owned by Howard Nalder and tied to Nalder & Co of Croydon. The licensee was William packham. Accommodation was for 2 lodgers and 2 horses. Frequented by labouring classes.

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The Three Tuns, High Street (NGR TQ 326508 (?) Situated 200 yards from the White Hart Inn and 200 yards from the Plough.

In 1892 described as a beerhouse owned by Frederick E Piper, of Horley, and tied to the Hornchurch Brewery Co, Hornchurch, Essex (formerly Youell & Elkin, brewers, Horley). The licensee was William Balcombe, and the premises described as a tramps lodging house.

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White Hart, High Street. (NGR TQ 327506) Situated in the centre of Bletchingley on the south side of the High Street about 100 yards from both the Prince Albert and the Three Tuns.

Much of the fabric dates from the 16th and 17th centuries, although a sign on the front proudly boasts the date 1388. The stables at the rear are 18th century. It is said that at the time of parliamentary elections, the inn set out barrels in the street, free to all drinkers, and “Bletchingley cobbles ran with beer”.

By 1892, the inn was owned by Pagden of Epsom, brewers, and the licensee was Thomas taylor Hodgson. Accommodation was available for up to 8 lodgers and stabling for 11 horses. It was frequented by tradesmen.

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William IV, Merstham Lane. (NGR TQ 323510) Situated ¼ mile from the Red Lion, and 2½ miles from the Spotted Cow.
In 1892 described as a public house owned by George William Bradley of Epsom and tied to Bradley & Co, brewers, Epsom. Licensee was George Zeal. The inn had accommodation for 4 lodgers and 4 horses. Frequented by the labouring classes.