Three Chimneys Public House

The Three Chimneys Public House is a historic country pub and small guesthouse in Biddenden, in the Weald of Kent, England. Its building dates from around 1420 and began life as a simple half-timbered country alehouse; it remained largely unchanged for more than 500 years before being extended. Today it operates as a multi-award-winning pub with four unique guest rooms, a seasonal menu built on locally sourced ingredients, and a broad selection of handpicked local, national and international ales, wines and spirits. The pub sits in the heart of the Kentish countryside, close to a range of local tourist attractions, and offers both dining and overnight stays. The unusual name is tied to the site's history during the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), when French prisoners of war held at nearby Sissinghurst Castle were allowed out on parole as far as the pub. Locals knew the spot as the 'Three Wents' (three ways), but the French seamen called it Les Trois Chemins — the French term for the junction of three roads — and that phrase is said to have become the pub's enduring name, The Three Chimneys. The building itself is older than the name and lies just within the parish boundary of Biddenden, a village also famous for the legendary Chalkhurst twins and the Biddenden Dole charity. The Three Chimneys presents itself as a traditional country pub that has kept its essential character while adding modern comforts: a recent extension was designed in keeping with the historic theme and allows guests to eat and drink while overlooking extensive gardens. It is positioned as a destination for both dining and short stays, with reservations handled directly by the pub. The business is independently run; no parent company or ownership group is identified in the available sources.

The building that houses The Three Chimneys dates from circa 1420 and is a half-timbered construction. For over 500 years it served as a simple country alehouse, virtually untouched by time. The pub's distinctive name emerged during the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), when up to 3,000 French prisoners were reportedly held at nearby Sissinghurst Castle. French seamen placed on parole in the surrounding area were allowed out as far as the pub building. Locals referred to the spot as the 'Three Wents' (or three ways), but the prisoners called it Les Trois Chemins — French for the junction of three roads — and this is said to be the origin of the name The Three Chimneys. The pub lies just within the parish boundary of Biddenden, a village known for the legendary Siamese twins Elisa and Mary Chalkhurst and the Biddenden Dole charity. In recent times the pub has almost doubled in size through an extension designed to match its traditional character, allowing guests to enjoy food and drink overlooking extensive gardens. It now operates as a multi-award-winning country pub with four guest rooms.

• 1763

  Seven Years' War ends; the name The Three Chimneys endures.

• 1756

  Seven Years' War begins; French prisoners at Sissinghurst Castle reportedly give the pub its name via 'Les Trois Chemins'.

• 1420

  Building constructed as a half-timbered country alehouse (circa 1420).

Multi-award-winning traditional country pub and guesthouse with 600 years of history, focused on local seasonal food and drink in the Kentish countryside.

• Seasonal menu

  Exceptional dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients.

• Ales, wines and spirits

  A vast selection of top-tier, handpicked local, national and international drinks.

• Guest rooms

  Four unique guest rooms for overnight stays.

1. 1The Three Chimneys, Biddenden Kentthethreechimneys.co.uk
2. 2History — THE THREE CHIMNEYSthethreechimneys.co.uk
3. 3Three Chimneys Public House — Wikidatawikidata.org