Uncover the fascinating histories behind the names of Chislehurst’s best pubs
Chislehurst: Have you ever thought about what your favorite local pub name really means? It’s pretty interesting! Some names are straightforward, like The Old Jail in Bromley, which used to be a stop for prisoners heading to London.
But then there are those names that leave you scratching your head. Sometimes, a pub’s name has changed over the years, and that can make things a bit confusing.
We’re kicking off a new series exploring the stories behind the names of pubs in southeast London, starting with Chislehurst in Bromley. This area is famous for its historic caves from the 13th century and has 11 pubs to check out.
The Cockpit
This award-winning pub, The Cockpit, is a favorite spot with its cozy seating and lovely flowers. It’s located on Chislehurst Common and got its name from a bomb crater left over from World War I. But some say it’s actually named after an ancient cockpit used for cockfighting, which is now illegal.
The Bull’s Head
Next up is The Bull’s Head on Royal Parade. This Grade II listed pub dates back to the 1750s and was named after the Neville family, who were the Lords of the Manor of Chislehurst. Their family crest featured a bull’s head, which is pretty cool!
The Crown
Then there’s The Crown, a classic pub name. This one’s been around for about 150 years and replaced an old coaching inn that used to be on Crown Road. The original inn was there from 1832 until the current pub took over in 1874.
The Bickley Arms
The Bickley Arms was originally called the Station Masters Hotel before it got its current name in 1891. It was a popular spot because it was so close to Chislehurst Caves.
The Gordon Arms
Finally, we have The Gordon Arms, named after General Charles Gordon, who was a hero in the Crimean War. The current building is from the 1930s and has a mock Tudor style. It replaced an earlier beer house that was also named after General Gordon.
