Bourne Society Pub & Brewery History Group

Visit to the George & Dragon, Ightham on April 3, 2004

Address: The Street, Ightham, Kent Tel: 01732-883209

One of Shepherd Neame's group of Mulberry Inns –“ quality food-led houses delivering a combination of the traditional pub with a contemporary twist”. Mulberry Inns fill the gap between local pubs and restaurants by “providing value-for-money, restaurant-quality food in a stylish setting”.

Located on the A227 Borough Green to Tonbridge road, the George & Dragon dates from circa 1515 and is a very beautiful old English country pub complete with many fine beams and inglenook fireplaces. It is said to have been the home of the Earl of Stafford and to have been visited by Queen Elizabeth I. The Gunpowder Plot was hatched next door in the town house and it is reputed that the Duke of Northumberland was imprisoned in the old restaurant. Several comfortable bars and an excellent restaurant serving fine food. A selection of Shepherd Neame's fine ales and lagers. A beer garden and ample car parking space.

Nearby Ightham Mote, Riverhill House Gardens and the tranquillity of Great Comp Gardens at Platt with its 17th century house and seven landscaped acres.

Several comfortable bars and an excellent restaurant serving fine food. A selection of Shepherd Neame's fine ales and lagers. A beer garden and ample car parking space. Nearby is Ightham mote, Riverhill house Gardens and Great Comp Gardens.

George & Dragon, Ightham

From research by Jean Tooke, we learn of ’ Life in Ightham in the 1800s’ with reference to the George and Dragon, a book by Wilma Picton and Jean Stark (Directwish, 1989 ISBN 0951501305). The last Court baron took place at the pub in 1930 under the stewardship of John Knocker, ending a 700 year tradition. Gordon Stanley, blacksmith, operated at the nearby forge. He died in 1906, his headstone commemorating his trade. An earlier blacksmith was James Usherwood, in the 1841 tithe schedule. In that schedule, the occupier of the George and Dragon was William Smith, with John Brenchley and Stacy Courtney as owners.

From the 1881 census, we find the MIST family in residence:

Dwelling: George & Dragon

Census Place: Ightham, Kent, England

Source: FHL Film 1341215 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 0904 Folio 59 Page 13

Marr Age Sex Birthplace

William MIST M 38 M Amport, Hampshire, England

Rel: Head

Occ: Licensed Victualler

Emma MIST M 42 F Somerford, Wiltshire, England

Rel: Wife

Emma Louise MIST 3 F Ightham, Kent, England

Rel: Daur

Ronald M. MIST 1 M Ightham, Kent, England

Rel: Son

Sarah HENDLEY U 73 F Wallop, Hampshire, England

Rel: Serv

Occ: Domestic Serv

Rose CRIPPS 18 F Little Peckham, Kent, England

Rel: Serv

Occ: Domestic Serv

Other interesting local characters were also picked up on the 1881 Census, including one sad character Henry Briggs, 57, of the Tonbridge Road whose occupation was entered as “ Innkeeper out of business” . His sons Herbert and William were also listed, as Butcher Unemployed and Barman Unemployed respectively. At Ightham Moat we can imaging wild parties being held by Lewis Amherst Selby BIGGS, 20, Head & Son, with occupation ‘Student’ and his friend Bertram Henry LATTER, 22, undergraduate student!