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At least from 1901 until his death in 1905, the innkeeper was Henry Brooks Bates. It is not known when he first became innkeeper but from the censuses available it was between 1891 and 1901. In 1913 Charles Alfred
Rayfield took over the inn. Rayfield was the father of Charles 'Gunner' Rayfield, the
427:) and Dora Gasking (who were mother and daughter) took over the inn. Building a notorious reputation they were frequently armed with a shotgun, inspecting their clientele and requiring unwanted guests to leave. They are also said to have thrown concrete blocks from the windows and required a
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Hepplewhite operated a small cooperage from the site until his death in 1609, following which his wife and eldest son took over the house and cooperage business. Oliver
Hepplewhite, under the direction of his mother, introduced the production and sale of ale to the property around 1615.
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August 2019 saw the
Ringlestone Inn open its doors once again after an 18-month closure and refurbishment, and is now a free house and restaurant as it once was. New owners Dalton Hopper and Paolo Rigolli have undertaken extensive work whilst retaining all original brickwork.
385:, John Roberts provided the alibi that he was visiting his family at "Ringleton" at the time the murders took place. In the face of this evidence both men were acquitted. The owner of the Ringlestone Inn at the time is recorded as "Avery Roberts".
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The name
Rongoston has evolved since the time the Inn was built. This is believed to be due to mispronunciation over the course of time. In 1822 the house became known as the
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During the next 150 years, the inn grew in popularity and travellers stopped there for refreshment en route to and from London to the settlements of Kent.
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431:-style series of secret knocks to gain entry to the pub. Their behaviour is believed to stem from an occasion when the inn was inundated by around 300
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and a sign hung announcing it. The Inn continued to be known as such until 1867 when it was changed, for the final time, to the present-day
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dwellings have been uncovered on the site. Around 1539, the monks are believed to have left (likely imprisoned or executed), following the
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From the late 20th century to 2018, the inn has largely operated as a public house and restaurant and was purchased by Kent brewers,
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of 1086. Confusingly for research into the locality's history, "Ringleton" also cited in the
Domesday Book (and appearing in the
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The history of the
Ringlestone Inn has been researched by a number of previous owners and is broadly thought to be as follows:
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On Friday 1 March 1788, two smugglers, named John
Roberts and Francis Whorlow who were both wanted for the murder of two
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during this period) would fund small drinking establishments to promote their products, such establishments, requiring a
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beams. The interior is unchanged since around 1732 and includes tables crafted from the timbers of an 18th-century
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The inn's long-history has resulted in a number of reports of supposed paranormal or supernatural activity:
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588:(which is some distance closer to Whitstable) and that the "Roberts" connection may simply be coincidence.
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as it is inscribed with the names John Tufton, Earl of Thanet and
Margaret Sackville (his wife) of Knole.
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It is not clear, however, that the "Ringleton" cited in the smuggler's defence is the present-day
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at
Whitstable, were arrested at "Ringleton" and taken to Faversham gaol. In his defence at the
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England & Wales, National
Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858–1966
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in 2005. As of May 2018 the inn was closed and the building being prepared for auction.
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567:, it is unclear whether documentary references uncovered by previous owners are to the
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Interior images of the inn were used as locations in the filming of an episode of
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In common with the times, local breweries (three are listed in the parish of
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Chocks away: Richard Johnson downs a few incoming pints of Spitfire in Kent
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Accordingly, the property was auctioned off to a Septimus Hepplewhite, a
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broadcast in the United Kingdom over the Easter 2007 holiday season.
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Given Penenden Heath's proximity to the present-day Maidstone
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was constructed in 1533 and retains its original brick and
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dated 1588, when a Julius Papworth Quiller directed that
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Ringlestone Road showing Ringlestone Inn in the distance
208:(meaning "ring of stones") dates back to before the
707:Reportedly haunted locations in South East England
182:A Ryghte Joyouse and welcome greetynge too ye all
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156:in Kent, England. Dating back to the reign of
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571:hamlet or the area of greater-Maidstone.
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405:soldier who may have fired the first
251:The present-day inn was originally a
131:Brick and flint walls with oak beams
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363:and the smuggling of five-thousand
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220:of 1274 as "Ringlestone"), was a
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265:Dissolution of the Monasteries
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702:Grade II listed pubs in Kent
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631:Kent Messenger Group online
553:Kent Archaeological Society
400:20th century to present day
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160:(1509–1547) the current
681:Janet, Cameron (2005).
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91:51.270239°N 0.692911°E
643:Eastenders visit Kent
565:suburb of Ringlestone
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685:. Tempus Publishing.
152:near the village of
107:Construction started
712:Restaurants in Kent
459:Paranormal activity
311:Ale Houses Act 1551
290:from the Parish of
96:51.270239; 0.692911
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44:Architectural style
39:General information
549:Kent Hundred Rolls
423:In 1958 Florence (
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218:Kent Hundred Rolls
55:Ringlestone hamlet
538:National Archives
313:, were known as '
226:Ringlemere barrow
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352:and hanged at
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597:1901 census
582:Ringlestone
569:Ringlestone
390:Renglestone
326:miniaturist
303:Harrietsham
284:wheelwright
238:Ringlestone
147:Ringlestone
94: /
69:Coordinates
696:Categories
483:References
448:EastEnders
383:Old Bailey
356:in 1765).
346:Canterbury
330:highwayman
315:ale-houses
309:under the
206:Rongostone
168:walls and
158:Henry VIII
115:Demolished
79:51°16′13″N
429:speakeasy
407:artillery
342:Faversham
234:Maidstone
224:near the
178:sideboard
154:Wormshill
82:0°41′34″E
647:Archived
519:Archived
361:dragoons
340:between
261:medieval
118:Existing
551:by the
536:at the
416:in the
414:Germans
370:genever
365:gallons
350:Charing
338:coaches
307:licence
253:hospice
192:History
63:England
60:Country
433:bikers
288:cooper
150:hamlet
653:from
375:Dutch
257:monks
222:manor
186:Knole
166:flint
47:Tudor
410:shot
373:(or
344:and
286:and
272:will
137:The
110:1533
668:at
379:gin
367:of
317:'.
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170:oak
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