Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1700 to 1830. 30 Northgate

Monument Types

• HOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1700 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TR 15 NE 202:
No 30 Northgate [TR 15305837 sited from OS 1/1250 1971]. Grade II. A timber-framed building refaced in the 18th century. (1) No 30 Northgate. 15th century timber-framed house with large 17th century to rear. (2)

The Canterbury UAD mentions that this inn, the Princess Alexandra was where the Penny Theatre currently is, the building being fortunate to survive the air raids of the second world war, when all around were being demolished. The license for this building in 1846 and 1848 was under the name of Royal George, the innkeeper was Joseph Harrison and the number was No 25 Northgate. In 1849 the Licence was trandferred from Mr Harrion to William Lidbetter - he was still there in 1855.

In 1863 a new application for a licence was granted and in 1865 the Deeds refer to THE CANNON inn, with cottage at rear. Two years later George Beer (brewer) purchased " the inn lately called Cannon" and from then the inn was called Princess Alexandra.

There is mention in the Enderby papers that the 1867 directory mentioned an American Bowling saloon on the site, and in 1883 the Deeds mentioned the "Alexandra Music Hall". The directory in 1882 names Robin Collings as innkeeper, inn 1900 it was George Cheeseman.

The Princess Alexandra was extinct in 1903. The building was used for some years before the Second World War by Bennett's shop, dealing with secondhand furniture.

In 1992 there is still a bar in part of the building, the Penny Theatre is still there and plays are being performed. (3)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 944 NORTHGATE (North West Side)
No 30 TR 1558 SW 3/254 3.5.67.
II GV
2. A timber-framed building refaced in the C18. 2 storeys and attics colourwashed. Tiled roof with 2 hipped dormers, Parapet. 2 sashes with verticals only. Later shop front. Behind the shop, in the back room of the house is a miniature Regency theatre with a very narrow gallery on 3 sides of the room built on very slender columns, now boxed in.
Nos 28 to 37 (consec) form a group.
Listing NGR: TR1529258370 (4)

<1> DOE (HHR) City of Canterbury Kent Sept 1973 150 (OS Card Reference). SKE40004.

<2> Hist Builds Survey Cant City Council/RCHME 57031 3 of 9 (OS Card Reference). SKE43862.

<3> Wilmot, E., 1992, Eighty Lost Inns of Canterbury (Monograph). SKE29747.

<4> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading