Tales from the Old Kent Road: Three fat ladies and the last pub in London.

There have been up to 39 pubs on the Old Kent Road, according to the dead pubs website (itself now converted into the pub history website) though possibly not all at once. I read a piece in a book last week about immigrant cleaner workers getting a 4am night bus on the Old Kent Road for cleaning jobs in the City. It claimed that there was only one pub left.

On Saturday I walked down the Old Kent Road to Kent, on the ancient Watling Street Roman road. These days Kent officially starts in Dartford so the journey went on through New Cross, Deptford, Blackheath, Shooter's Hill, Welling, Bexleyheath and Crayford - following the steps of Charles Dickens, Geoffrey 'The Jeff' Chaucer and his pilgrims (on their way to Canterbury), and a Roman soldier or two.

I counted three pubs currently alive as I walked down the Old Kent Road - Thomas Becket, Lord Nelson and finally The Windsor, which I noticed was at No 888. I gather the first two have been closed at some points in recent years, and the latter has has a rename (back to an older name, it looks). The Old Kent Road becomes New Cross Road at the border of Southwark and Lewisham boroughs, which was once the border of London and Kent (pre 1900), on the basis of a road being named after the place it goes to until it gets there.

The Windsor, with its three fat ladies address, was the last building on the south side of the road before the border, hence was the Last Pub in London*.

Between 1900 and 1965 the the expansion of London included the then Metropoliton Borough of Woolwich (making Arsenal a London club 65 years before Tottenham), pushing the border of London and Kent to the east of Shooter's Hill. An old boundary stone at the entrance to Oxley Wood marks this border. The last pub before here is The Bull on Shooter's Hill.

In 1965 the borders of London expanded to include the borough of Bexley, moving the border out to in and around the river Cray, between Crayford and Dartford. So the Bear and the Ragged Staff in Crayford is now The Last Pub in London.

And no, I didn't go in any of them. This was not a pub crawl.

*On that road, in case someone wants to quibble that there are lots of Last Pubs in London. Of course there are.

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Originally Posted by Ash

There have been up to 39 pubs on the Old Kent Road, according to the dead pubs website (itself now converted into the pub history website) though possibly not all at once. I read a piece in a book last week about immigrant cleaner workers getting a 4am night bus on the Old Kent Road for cleaning jobs in the City. It claimed that there was only one pub left.

On Saturday I walked down the Old Kent Road to Kent, on the ancient Watling Street Roman road. These days Kent officially starts in Dartford so the journey went on through New Cross, Deptford, Blackheath, Shooter's Hill, Welling, Bexleyheath and Crayford - following the steps of Charles Dickens, Geoffrey 'The Jeff' Chaucer and his pilgrims (on their way to Canterbury), and a Roman soldier or two.

I counted three pubs currently alive as I walked down the Old Kent Road - Thomas Becket, Lord Nelson and finally The Windsor, which I noticed was at No 888. I gather the first two have been closed at some points in recent years, and the latter has has a rename (back to an older name, it looks). The Old Kent Road becomes New Cross Road at the border of Southwark and Lewisham boroughs, which was once the border of London and Kent (pre 1900), on the basis of a road being named after the place it goes to until it gets there.

The Windsor, with its three fat ladies address, was the last building on the south side of the road before the border, hence was the Last Pub in London*.

Between 1900 and 1965 the the expansion of London included the then Metropoliton Borough of Woolwich (making Arsenal a London club 65 years before Tottenham), pushing the border of London and Kent to the east of Shooter's Hill. An old boundary stone at the entrance to Oxley Wood marks this border. The last pub before here is The Bull on Shooter's Hill.

In 1965 the borders of London expanded to include the borough of Bexley, moving the border out to in and around the river Cray, between Crayford and Dartford. So the Bear and the Ragged Staff in Crayford is now The Last Pub in London.

And no, I didn't go in any of them. This was not a pub crawl.

*On that road, in case someone wants to quibble that there are lots of Last Pubs in London. Of course there are.

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Very much my stomping ground there, a.

Back in the 1980s the Thomas Beckett was one to avoid due to the regular shooting incidents between its mainly gangland clientele. The World Turned Upside Down and The Moon Under Water were marginally less terrifying. One was also known for a while as the Henry Cooper; that may have been the Thomas A Beckett.

Did you notice the water tower at the top of Shooter's Hill by Oxleas Wood? This can be seen form the middle of the Dartford Bridge on a clar day.

The River Cray runs just to the north of the northern boundary of my estate, but here, of course, the Cray Valley is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a nature reserve where many of Ken't last large mammals and big cats may be seen in the wild.

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Originally Posted by Ash

On Saturday I walked down the Old Kent Road to Kent, on the ancient Watling Street Roman road. These days Kent officially starts in Dartford so the journey went on through New Cross, Deptford, Blackheath, Shooter's Hill, Welling, Bexleyheath and Crayford -

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What sort of distance are we talking about here A?

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Originally Posted by Sir C

Very much my stomping ground there, a.

Back in the 1980s the Thomas Beckett was one to avoid due to the regular shooting incidents between its mainly gangland clientele. The World Turned Upside Down and The Moon Under Water were marginally less terrifying. One was also known for a while as the Henry Cooper; that may have been the Thomas A Beckett.

Did you notice the water tower at the top of Shooter's Hill by Oxleas Wood? This can be seen form the middle of the Dartford Bridge on a clar day.

The River Cray runs just to the north of the northern boundary of my estate, but here, of course, the Cray Valley is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a nature reserve where many of Ken't last large mammals and big cats may be seen in the wild.

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I think I remember the World Turned Upside Down from being driven along there in the 70s, on account of its unusual name. One of the ex pubs is now a mosque. William Booth would be proud of the Allans there.

Yes, the water tower is quite the landmark. Saw it in the far distance from The Old Dover Road in Blackheath, and then behind us later. Ma & Pa are from Plumstead & Abbey Wood so used to spend some time round those parts. Will be back for the Thames path from Woolwich to Erith and onto the Cray. Mother is trying to persuade me to do the Darent valley walk as well.

BTW, Next time you need a new hi-viz jacket, there's a specialist stall in Dartford Market with loads of 'em. :thumbup:

(Thanks for Lake District programme tip-off the other day. Saw the seasonal one and loved it. Planning a trip for end of March.)

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Originally Posted by SWv2

What sort of distance are we talking about here A?

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Sixteen and one half of our English miles, according to my device.

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Originally Posted by Sir C

Very much my stomping ground there, a.

Back in the 1980s the Thomas Beckett was one to avoid due to the regular shooting incidents between its mainly gangland clientele. The World Turned Upside Down and The Moon Under Water were marginally less terrifying. One was also known for a while as the Henry Cooper; that may have been the Thomas A Beckett.

Did you notice the water tower at the top of Shooter's Hill by Oxleas Wood? This can be seen form the middle of the Dartford Bridge on a clar day.

The River Cray runs just to the north of the northern boundary of my estate, but here, of course, the Cray Valley is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a nature reserve where many of Ken't last large mammals and big cats may be seen in the wild.

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You're correct re: The Henry Cooper/Thomas Beckett. Does it still have a boxing ring in it, I wonder?

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Originally Posted by Sir C

Very much my stomping ground there, a.

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Stomping ground my fat white arse. You would occasionally tippy toe into the manor you soppy middle class twonk,neck down half a lager shandy then scarper sharpish before the bad boys came out.

Did you see Daniel Day-Lewis recently re-invented himself as a Millwall hooligan :hehe:

Ohhhhhhhhh my old man's the Poet Laureate
'Ee wears the Poet Laureate's Hat
'Ee wears cor blimey britches
An' he lives in a fackin great big town 'ouse!
/

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Originally Posted by Ash

I think I remember the World Turned Upside Down from being driven along there in the 70s, on account of its unusual name. One of the ex pubs is now a mosque. William Booth would be proud of the Allans there.

Yes, the water tower is quite the landmark. Saw it in the far distance from The Old Dover Road in Blackheath, and then behind us later. Ma & Pa are from Plumstead & Abbey Wood so used to spend some time round those parts. Will be back for the Thames path from Woolwich to Erith and onto the Cray. Mother is trying to persuade me to do the Darent valley walk as well.

BTW, Next time you need a new hi-viz jacket, there's a specialist stall in Dartford Market with loads of 'em. :thumbup:

(Thanks for Lake District programme tip-off the other day. Saw the seasonal one and loved it. Planning a trip for end of March.)

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We've just booked for the end of April. Bck to Little Langdale for early morning tea at Slaters Bridge :cloud9:

https://www.cumbrian-cottages.co.uk/...-view-cc122102

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Originally Posted by Burney

You're correct re: The Henry Cooper/Thomas Beckett. Does it still have a boxing ring in it, I wonder?

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I wouldn't care to go in and find out, I'm afraid.

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Originally Posted by Ash

Sixteen and one half of our English miles, according to my device.

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That is mighty impressive.

I did 9 of our wonderful European kilometres yesterday around Glendalough. It was very pleasant apart from the many bastárd tourists.

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Originally Posted by Herbette Chapman - aged 15

Stomping ground my fat white arse. You would occasionally tippy toe into the manor you soppy middle class twonk,neck down half a lager shandy then scarper sharpish before the bad boys came out.

Did you see Daniel Day-Lewis recently re-invented himself as a Millwall hooligan :hehe:

Ohhhhhhhhh my old man's the Poet Laureate
'Ee wears the Poet Laureate's Hat
'Ee wears cor blimey britches
An' he lives in a fackin great big town 'ouse!
/

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Nothing went down in Bermondsey without my say so, h. Girls, bank jobs, skag, I got a taste from every deal otherwise there was trouble. You get me?

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Originally Posted by Sir C

Nothing went down in Bermondsey without my say so, h. Girls, bank jobs, skag, I got a taste from every deal otherwise there was trouble. You get me?

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I feel ya big man. I think I remember you now. Didn't people just call you "Dutch"?

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Originally Posted by Herbette Chapman - aged 15

I feel ya big man. I think I remember you now. Didn't people just call you "Dutch"?

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Nah - Dutch was the landlady of the pub we used to drink in in Wapping and several more besides (including the Flying Scotsman in King's Cross). She was said to be well-connected and, come to think go it, there may well have been a resemblance to Sir C there

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Originally Posted by SWv2

That is mighty impressive.

I did 9 of our wonderful European kilometres yesterday around Glendalough. It was very pleasant apart from the many bastárd tourists.

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I have walked Glendalough. Famous for its pointy *wizards' towers, no?

I did nine Ks yesterday too, around Kentish Town, once it was clear that Spurs were going to win. One must embrace the tourists, though. Not literally, of course, but in a metaphorical sense, for they are good for business.

* Not actual wizards.

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Originally Posted by Ash

And no, I didn't go in any of them. This was not a pub crawl.

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Don't think this escaped without notice btw

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Originally Posted by Ash

I have walked Glendalough. Famous for its pointy *wizards' towers, no?

I did nine Ks yesterday too, around Kentish Town, once it was clear that Spurs were going to win. One must embrace the tourists, though. Not literally, of course, but in a metaphorical sense, for they are good for business.

* Not actual wizards.

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There was Monastic towers or sorts, two I recall. And frogs, lots of frogs.

The tourists annoy me A. Noisy, Spanish I think, rude in how they refuse to move out of your way all with their silly backpacks. Very loud. I realise there is a need for them, I myself have been a tourist on many an occasion.

I came home to find Spurs had won having stopped on the way for a cup of tea and a scone. How fúcking Irish is that!

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Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

come to think go it, there may well have been a resemblance to Sir C there

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bóllócks ugly - gravelly voice?

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Originally Posted by Herbette Chapman - aged 15

bóllócks ugly - gravelly voice?

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That's the one

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Originally Posted by Herbette Chapman - aged 15

I feel ya big man. I think I remember you now. Didn't people just call you "Dutch"?

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Shh. You ain't seen me, right?

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Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

Don't think this escaped without notice btw

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It's a fair cop, guv.

tbh we'd never get anywhere if we kept going in pubs on the way, let alone the need to keep weeing all the time. The exception is in the hot summer months, where one can work up quite the thirst.

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Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

Nah - Dutch was the landlady of the pub we used to drink in in Wapping and several more besides (including the Flying Scotsman in King's Cross). She was said to be well-connected and, come to think go it, there may well have been a resemblance to Sir C there

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I don't believe it! Big Sally?!