Earl of Clarendon

Pub Heritage Group have recently carried out a regrading of Real Heritage Pubs - click here for full details

Kent - Sandgate

Two star - A pub interior of outstanding national historic interest

Listed Status: Not listed

Brewers Hill
Sandgate
CT20 3DH

Tel: (01303) 248684

Email: clarendon@easy.com

Website https://the-earl-of-clarendon.business.site/

Real Ale: Yes

Lunchtime Meals: Yes

Evening Meals: Yes

Nearby Station: Folkestone West

Station Distance: 1850m

Public Transport: Near Railway Station (Folkestone West) and Bus Stop

Bus: Yes

View on: Whatpub

Built 1862 and later remodelled but still with two separate rooms. The fine bar-back (date uncertain) spans both rooms and has mirrored panels and slender columns between each shelf. There is a doorway to private quarters in the middle and a clock bearing the name of the pub. The bar counter is quite plain and may date from the 1930s: it has similar detailing on both sides of the pub. In the 1890s a landslip affected the area and hence there is the disconcerting slope in the right-hand bar and a wedge-shaped infill to the bar-back to correct the wrong. Bar billiards can be played here.
Built 1862 and still with two separate rooms it was put up for sale by Shepherd Neame and destined to be a private house until rescued by a local man. The splendid Edwardian mahogany bar back covers both rooms with a doorway to private quarters in the middle and 'Clarendon Inn' clock by D-Bryrn. It has four vertical mirrored panels each side with cut glass patterns including star bursts, good carved brackets in lower part, and slender columns between each wooden shelf.

On the left the bare wood bar is now accessed by a doorway between the two rooms and the original door is disused. The bar counter is old, possibly 1930s and has three inch strips attached by brackets running all along it at the top of counter height. The fireplace is tiled with wood surround recently painted cream but not that old, nor is the corner seating. possibly 1960s? It has been knocked through to the rear room in recent times which has a display cabinet but no fireplace and is home to a bar billiard table.

The right bar has a similar counter with a set of four old handpumps, more 60s looking fixed seating, brick fireplace looks modern and this room has been extended back in recent times. In the 1890s there was a landslip in this area and the pub moved - note the wedge shaped top to the bar back, the floor in the right hand bar slopes and it is most noticeable by looking at the exterior window here. Etched window "The Clarendon Inn" on the disused left hand door, the "Shepherd Neame Faversham Brewery" etched window on main (right hand) door is a modern addition as the pub was originally a Mackeson house.
Full Description