Guildhall Wine & Spirit Vaults, 2 Bench Street, Dover

Dover pub history index

From "The Dover Express".
The first oil bomb to fall on Dover landed right in the middle of Bench Street during the early hours of October 6th, 1943. The deadly fuel it contained set fire to the historic Guildhall Vaults and adjoining tobacconist's shop and a shoe shop opposite. All three premises were completely gutted and German communiqués mentioned large fires in the Dover area.
The Guildhall Vaults was one of the oldest public houses in Dover, being founded in 1690. It is reputed to have stood upon the site of the Dover Guildhall, where the Assizes were held. A secret passage from the Guildhall Vaults to the Western Heights is said to be used for moving prisoners.
The Vaults was a popular rendezvous for seafaring men. Trinity House pilots in particular. It was known all over the world. Older readers will no doubt recall the famous grapevine in the back garden. This survived enemy action but unfortunately it succumbed to the demolition men.
The "Dover Tavern" was built on the site and opened on 4th July 1957. It became known locally as "The NAAFI"!
It is now named "The Flotilla" ***

Directory of Pubs in the UK historical public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in Dover, Kent .

the Guildhall in WW2 after significant bomb damage

the Guildhall in WW2 after significant bomb damage

Burlington Inn newspaper cutting

Daughter of the late John Matson, well known local farmer and contractor,  Mrs Julia Searles, of Farthingloe Road, came across an interesting document among family papers the other day. Probably over 60 years old it gives the names of some interesting old inns and public houses many of which have now disappeared.

There were the Paris, Victoria, Mail Packet, Pier, Half Moon, Sportsman's, Gun, Comet, Star, Robin Hood, Milestone, Marquis of Anglesea, Grand Sultan, Lord Roberts, Two Brewers and a number of others.

The document printed by Giraud, at London Road, probably came into the family's possession because Mrs Searles' grandfather, Mr John Hills, a retired huntsman, was a publican. He was landlord of the Duke of York, Old Endeavour and Guildhall Vaults in Bench Street. ***

The Flotilla on the site of the Guildhall Vaults in 2008

The Flotilla on the site of the Guildhall Vaults in 2008

All Kindly provided by Roger Hurst

Residents at this address

1847/Geo Foord/../../../Bagshaws Directory **

1862/T Y Wall/../../../Post Office Directory

1867/Thomas Young Wall/../../../Post Office Directory

1874/George Herbert Bird/../../../Post Office Directory

1881/George H Bird/Wine & Spirit Merchant/47/Trowbridge, Wiltshire/Census
1881/Elizabeth M Bird/Wife/44/Lewisham, Kent/Census
1881/Letitia Bird/Daughter/19/New Cross, Kent/Census
1881/George H Bird/Son/15/New Cross, Kent/Census
1881/Sidney Jas Bird/Son/12/New Cross, Kent/Census
1881/Rose Trenholm/Servant/24/Stoke Newington, Middlesex/Census

1882/George Herbert Bird/../../../Post Office Directory

It was after running this pub in 1891 that John Hills went back to being a Huntsman and joined the East Kent Hunt at Waldershare Park. He then went to the West Kent Hunt living at the kennels in Elham. He was also for a while with the Thanet Harriers at Monkton kennels. 1901 census shows John as a Groom at Redcliffe Stable, Westgate-on-Sea (aged 64) and with his birthplace as Abingdon, Berkshire.
He then retired to become licensee at "The Old Endeavour", possibly "The Guildhall Vaults" again and then the "Duke of York", all of which are in Dover. John died aged 86 and is buried with his wife at Waldershare Park.  Lucy was the mother of Julia who is referred to in the newspaper article,  my grandmother Julia Hills (later Matson).  I hope this is of interest. I have attached photos of both John Hills and his wife Julia. ***

John Hills, circa 1916, aged about 79 years         Julia Hills, wife of John Hills

John Hills, circa 1916, aged about 79 years & wife Julia

Kindly provided by Roger Hurst

1890/J Hill/../../../Pikes Directory **

1891/John Hills/Licensed Victualler/54/Sandford, Berks/Census ***
1891/Julia Hills/Wife/42/Castor, Northamptonshire/Census
1891/George Hills/Son/19/Longthorpe, Northamptonshire/Census
1891/Lucy Hills/Daughter/20/Castor, Northamptonshire/Census

1895/F Poffley/Late Sergeant Major, Royal Artillery/../../Pikes Directory **

1903/James Ward/../../../Post Office Directory

1910/J Ward/../../../Dover Standard Directory **

1913/Walter Whiting/../../../Post Office Directory

1922/John Robert Townsend/../../../Post Office Directory

1930/John Robert Townsend/../../../Post Office Directory

1938/Neville Moorcroft/../../../Post Office Directory


** Provided By Paul Skelton

*** Provided By Roger Hurst

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    And Last updated on: Friday, 09-Feb-2024 13:15:22 GMT