Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

This inn was first mentioned in the Licensing List for 1692, where it was known as the Sign of London. It was closed in 1912.

Monument Types

• INN (Post Medieval to Modern - 1692 AD to 1912 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

The Canterbury UAD states that little has been found out about this ancient inn which was located on the south corner of Hawks Lane at the junction of Stour Street. It is first mentioned in the Licensing List for 1692 where it is listed as the 'Sign of London'. The Billeting List gave the inn 4 soldiers. It is listed as City of London Inn, Stour Street in Pigots Directory of 1828-29.

Later it was recorded as No. 45 Stour Street until at least 1862, but since then the street seems to have been re-numbered? It is listed in Bedwell's directory of 1888-89 as the City of London, Stour Street.

It was closed in 1912.

Innkeepers listed in various directories are: 1792 John Culver; 1797 William Barber; 1799 William Hubbard; 1801 Thomas Fowler; 1817 John White; 1831 William Lepine; 1838 Gibbon Ladd; 1846 George Kilner; 1855 G. Boyle; 1862 Henry easton; 1865 G. Harrison; 1867 James Miles; 1882 Frederick Nicholls; 1888 J. Whitcombe; 1889 Henry Best.

Pigot & Co., 1828, Pigot & Co's. London and Provincial Directory (Article in serial). SKE29961.

Bedwells, 1889, Bedwells Directory of Canterbury (Article in serial). SKE29988.

Enderby, H. M., 1950, The Inns of Canterbury Parts I & II, Lecture to the Canterbury Archaeological Society (Unpublished document). SKE29964.

Wilmot, E., 1992, Eighty Lost Inns of Canterbury (Monograph). SKE29747.

Sources and further reading