In 1890, workmen carrying out repair work to the original building found a stone dated 1694 which suggests a build date for the house. In past centuries, Queen Street was called Five Bells Lane, named after the pub and brewery that stood on the site of the present pub.
The Poor Rate book of 1776 states, “Thomas Oakley, and garden, Five Bells Brew House, water works, brew house, new malt house and brew house”. There was yet another brew house opposite the pub (now Kwik-Fit) and several others in Deal, in what was a very busy, thriving area.
In 1804, William Ladd was landlord of The Five Bells until at least 1824. By 1828, Brockman Beal was licensee and, around this time, records show a name change to The Swan.
Charles Dickens was a famous guest of the hotel in the summer of 1847 for the opening of the Deal to Minster railway, and was said to have written part of one of his novels at the hotel. John Pockett was landlord at the time. Dickens joined in the celebrations and is even rumoured to have ridden on the first train.
In 1838, The Swan could house 20 horses and 6 wagons. Later records show stabling for 35 horses but, for an agricultural show in nearby Victoria Park, 101 horses were tethered there.
In September 1881 when Mrs Garner was landlady and the owners were Hills & Sons, brewers, a fire broke out at the rear of the hotel and a horse worth 200 guineas belonging to Sanger’s Circus had to be destroyed.
In 1908, a Mr Rothwell began a long stay at the house until 1937 when Thompson’s Brewery reluctantly agreed to re-build in order for the Council to widen Queen Street. On re-building, it was set back a few feet from the original site. The re-opening took place in June 1937 with new landlords, Mr and Mrs Green, being installed and serving throughout the 1940s.
During the 50s and 60s, C.W. Foster was in charge. Several landlords followed and the pub changed its name to Swans on 1 May 1985. The pub changed its name yet again to The Hole in the Roof on 10 September 1997 and had a £160,000 refit in 1999 and is now in the capable hands of Paul and Kathleen Lynch.
Copyright: Steve Glover and Michael Rogers - 2007
The Poor Rate book of 1776 states, “Thomas Oakley, and garden, Five Bells Brew House, water works, brew house, new malt house and brew house”. There was yet another brew house opposite the pub (now Kwik-Fit) and several others in Deal, in what was a very busy, thriving area.
In 1804, William Ladd was landlord of The Five Bells until at least 1824. By 1828, Brockman Beal was licensee and, around this time, records show a name change to The Swan.
Charles Dickens was a famous guest of the hotel in the summer of 1847 for the opening of the Deal to Minster railway, and was said to have written part of one of his novels at the hotel. John Pockett was landlord at the time. Dickens joined in the celebrations and is even rumoured to have ridden on the first train.
In 1838, The Swan could house 20 horses and 6 wagons. Later records show stabling for 35 horses but, for an agricultural show in nearby Victoria Park, 101 horses were tethered there.
In September 1881 when Mrs Garner was landlady and the owners were Hills & Sons, brewers, a fire broke out at the rear of the hotel and a horse worth 200 guineas belonging to Sanger’s Circus had to be destroyed.
In 1908, a Mr Rothwell began a long stay at the house until 1937 when Thompson’s Brewery reluctantly agreed to re-build in order for the Council to widen Queen Street. On re-building, it was set back a few feet from the original site. The re-opening took place in June 1937 with new landlords, Mr and Mrs Green, being installed and serving throughout the 1940s.
During the 50s and 60s, C.W. Foster was in charge. Several landlords followed and the pub changed its name to Swans on 1 May 1985. The pub changed its name yet again to The Hole in the Roof on 10 September 1997 and had a £160,000 refit in 1999 and is now in the capable hands of Paul and Kathleen Lynch.
Copyright: Steve Glover and Michael Rogers - 2007
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HOLE IN THE ROOF
(formerly Swans, The Swan Hotel and The Five Bells)
42-44 Queen Street, Deal
(formerly Swans, The Swan Hotel and The Five Bells)
42-44 Queen Street, Deal