Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1400 to 1799 No 28 Wincheap

Monument Types

• HOUSE (Medieval to Modern - 1400 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TR 15 NW 307:
[TR 14435729] PH (NAT). (1) No 28 Wincheap (The Maiden's Head Inn) [TR 14435729 - sited from HHR map]. Grade II. A 15thc timber-framed building refaced in the 18thc.(2) The Maiden's Head, Wincheap (full description) medieval open hall house parallel to the street. A date of c1500 is suggested for the building extending back from it. (3) No 28 Wincheap, The Maiden's Head. Timber-framed building. The frontrange consists of three bays of an early 15th century 'Wealden' type house. At the rear is a later 15th century building. Roof altered in 17th century. (4)

The Canterbury UAD states that this is a Geo. Beer/Rigden/Fremlins/Whitbread inn.

In 1984 during the refitting of the Maidens Head the Canterbury Archaeological Trust were able to study in detail the construction of the medieval building, the report and drawings appear in their Annual Report 1983/84. In the final paragrapgh the Report states: 'The building has been an inn since at least the early 17th century and it is just possible that the timber-frame at the back was re-erected there at this time as a brewhouse (a brick chimney stack was later added to the north end). Later still (perhaps in the 18th century) a malthouse was added beyond this …'

Reference was made to the Maiden and Prince's Arms in 1619 and there was a rather amusing item in a local newspaper about 15 years ago that the inn was once called Head Maidens because the chief women of the entourage stayed there on occassions of royal visits to Canterbury. It was probably one of the first inns to be built outside the city walls.

It was on the Licensing List of 1692 and the following year the Billeting List listed it for 4 soldiers.

In 1742 The Kentish Post No. 2528 wrote of: 'Sale of "The Maiden Head" Alehouse in Wincheap with a Malthouse, Stable … In the occupation of Joseph Jolly'. In 1754 the inn was purchased by Rigdens for £330 and they still owned it in 1826. In Rigdens Rent Books we read: Messrs Rigden, Delmar & Pierce.
1805 Daniel Hallebread Rent £10.10.0 p.a. Land Tax £1.12.0 p.a. (5)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 944 WINCHEAP (North West Side)
No 28 (The Maiden's Head Inn) TR 1457 SW 7/358 3.5.67.
II GV
2. A C15 timber-framed building refaced in C18. 2 storeys, the ground floor is painted brick, 1st floor is weatherboarded. Tiled roof. 3 sashes with glazing bars intact on 1st floor only, 2 C19 canted bays on ground floor main front. Side elevation is tile-hung.
Nos 22 to 28 (even) form a group.
Listing NGR: TR1443857295 (6)

<1> OS 1:1250 1981 (OS Card Reference). SKE48189.

<2> DOE (HHR) City of Canterbury Kent Sept 1973 288 (OS Card Reference). SKE40092.

<3> CAT Ann Rep 8 1983-4 38-41 illus CAT file No 27 (OS Card Reference). SKE38691.

<4> Hist Bldgs Survey Cant City Council/RCHME 57038 3 of 7 (OS Card Reference). SKE43796.

<5> Wilmot, E., 1988, Inns of Canterbury (Monograph). SKE29737.

<6> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading