The Prince of Wales pub was originally built around 1880 before it burnt down in 1909. The pub was then rebuilt in its current form around 1912.
We are always keen to learn more about the history of our establishment so if you or someone you know has any further historical information about the Prince of Wales in Hoath, we would love to hear from you.
The Prince of Wales is currently run by Tom and Julie, who took the reins in 2022.
Past licensees include:
With thanks to Paul Skelton and dover-kent.com
“My step-grandfather, Daniel Payne, was the licensee from, I believe, some time in the 1930s, until 1956, when he died. My grandmother, Annie, went to the Prince sometime in the 1930s as housekeeper. She married Dan Payne in 1940. My father took on the tenancy after Dan died until 1959.
As a small boy I was sent to live with my grandmother at the Prince, from 1939 to 1942, to escape the bombing in London. In 1944 my parents, with me, moved to Herne Bay, so the Prince featured prominently in my life for 20 years.
The main bar was in the centre of the front – just visible inset under the Shepherd Name sign. It was very small. To the left, with the bay window, was the Tap Room – much bigger than the main bar, and where darts and dominoes were played. Drinks served through a hatch. The door under the covered porch led into the separate Tea Room. This provided direct access in the afternoons to tea, when the pub was otherwise closed. During opening hours when it effectively became the Ladies room, it allowed access for the ladies without having to go through the main bar. The door and window to the right of the picture served the small general store that my grandmother ran.
Upstairs were just bedrooms. No bathroom, and outside toilets.
I stayed at the Prince on the eve of my marriage to a Beltinge girl at Herne church in 1958.
Yours sincerely,
John Briggs.”
“This drawing shows the Prince in 1940, when I was living there, aged 4.”
“Me, on the left, with my cousin outside the Tea Room door, 1947. Scruffy, but always with a tie!”
