"The Bells"
Past & present
The Six Bells is a charming pub located in the heart of the picturesque village of Woodchurch in Kent. Its name is derived from its location opposite the All Saints church, which dates back to the 13th century.
"The Bells" has a rich history dating back to the 17th century. However, the building today we drink in was constructed in the early 1800's on the grounds of the original house. Like many old public houses, "The Bells " has undergone several transformations over the years, but it remains a beloved establishment with a unique character and charm.
The pub is said to feature in many colourful stories of smuggling up until the early 19th century. In the early 1820's a group of the Ransley gang members lived in Woodchurch. In 1826, a battle broke out between the smugglers and revenue officers on Woodchurch village green, resulting in the smugglers' defeat, capture, and death sentences.
Originally two very small bars (public and saloon) separated by a hall way with a hatch at the end for take outs. The back of the pub was a living area and what is the public bar today was a Farriers or workshop.
In around the 1940's to the 1970's The Six Bells Inn doubled as a car repair business and petrol station but today is back to being a traditional freehouse.
We are proud to maintain the pub's original character while creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for customers.
A big thank you to the Woodchurch Village Life Museum for the history and photographs of "The Bells" in the past.
