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Kent Villages, Towns & Public Houses - History, Genealogy & Trade Directories
Bell, The Street, St Nicholas, Margate
From the outside you would think The Bell a fairly modern building, but if you look closely you can see the Tudor origins of this village pub. In 1622 the landlord was William Chambers, who was disliked by the Church. The Church had tried many times to close down the hostelry, as Chambers wouldn't shut the pub in the evening and during church prayer, in their minds encouraging the villagers to drink instead of performing their pieties. Later, a distinguished yeomanry family, the Bridge's, were owners of the Bell, until 1777 when they leased it to the Cobb Brewery in Margate, finally selling altogether in 1798. The Bell, which has smuggling connections, has been used for vestry meetings, auctions and often used by the Local Hoodening community, a custom dating back to Saxon times. **
