The Old Jail Public House

The Old Jail Public House, commonly known as The Old Jail, is a country pub on Jail Lane in Biggin Hill, in the London Borough of Bromley, England. The building dates from the 18th century and is Grade II listed. It operated as a pub for over a century, serving the local community through numerous licensees and changes of ownership. The pub's name is thought to derive from its historical use as an overnight lock-up for prisoners being transported from London to Maidstone Prison, though the exact origin remains uncertain. According to local history groups, it is also associated with French prisoners of war from the Napoleonic era. The Old Jail was one of the properties of the Fox & Sons Oak Brewery of Green Street Green, which closed in 1908; the pub was subsequently auctioned to Truman, Hanbury and Buxton on 15 June 1909. Over the decades it traded under several breweries, including Ind Coope and Allied Breweries. The pub had closed permanently by February 2023, with its future use unknown. Its official website now displays a closure notice, and the building remains a protected heritage asset in the area.

The Old Jail Public House, also known as The Old Jail or Old Jail Inn, was a historic pub situated on Jail Lane in Biggin Hill, Westerham, in the London Borough of Bromley. The building dates back to the 18th century and is a Grade II listed structure. Its name is believed to originate from a time when prisoners being transported from London to Maidstone Jail were accommodated there overnight, though the exact origin is uncertain. Local history groups, including the Bromley Borough Local History Society and Biggin Hill History Group, also assert that it was used to hold French prisoners of war overnight during Napoleonic times. The pub was originally a pair of cottages, as evidenced by a photograph from around 1900 showing two front doors. It was one of the properties of the Fox & Sons Oak Brewery at Green Street Green, which closed in 1908. On 15 June 1909, The Old Jail was sold by auction to Truman, Hanbury and Buxton. Over the years, it passed through numerous licensees. Records from Kelly's Directory and census returns list individuals such as Edmund Prince (1851), William Lewis (1855–61, described as a beer retailer and shopkeeper), Thomas Lewis (1881–82), Richard Cowlard (1891–1913, also a baker), Leon Dupere (1936), Leonard Alfred Dupere (1939–1961), and Cedric (Bill) Motley (1960–1970), who managed it for Ind Coope, Allied Breweries, and Octavius Coope. A court case in 1860, Cook v. Lewis, involved the pub when it was known as the 'Old Gaol' beer-house in Cudham. In 1892, a newspaper announcement advertised the sale by auction of the 'Old Jail Inn' by order of the mortgagee. The pub continued to operate throughout the 20th century and into the 21st, serving as a country pub with a focus on cask conditioned beer and traditional food. The official website featured a non-return valve for cask beer and hosted community events. However, as of February 2023, The Old Jail is permanently closed, and its future use is unknown. The website now displays a closure notice, and the building remains a Grade II listed heritage asset.

• 2023

  The Old Jail is permanently closed as of February.

• 1909

  The Old Jail is sold by auction to Truman, Hanbury and Buxton on 15 June.

• 1908

  Fox & Sons Oak Brewery at Green Street Green closes; The Old Jail is one of its properties.

• 1892

  Newspaper announcement of auction sale of the 'Old Jail Inn' by order of the mortgagee.

• 1860

  Court case Cook v. Lewis mentions the pub as the 'Old Gaol' beer-house, Cudham.

A historic country pub with character and heritage appeal, offering traditional food and drink in a Grade II listed building.

• Cask conditioned beer

• Pub food

• Sandwiches

• Jacket potatoes

• Christmas menu

1. 1The Old Jail | A lovely Country Pubtheoldjail.co.uk
2. 2History | The Old Jailtheoldjail.co.uk
3. 3The Old Jail Public House - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Old Jail, Biggin Hill - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org