Pawleyne Arms, Penge

The current public house dates from 1866, with the license originally refused due to the pub not being completed. Situated on the busy crossroads in the centre of Penge, this once overlooked the tram route from Croydon to Crystal Palace Park as it turned the sharp corner (from 1906 to 1933), with the tram stop on Croydon Road called "Pawleyne Arms". This label was later used as a destination for the subsequent bus services. Once owned by Courage, this had a distinctive illuminated "Take Courage" sign at the top of the curved corner of the building. Note the pub sign showing a heraldic shield with a central band of three scallop shells (the symbol of St James) with a further three shells either side (suggesting a possible link with the Bishops of Rochester since the scallop shell was used as their heraldic shield to represent pilgrimage with a tenuous connection to St Paulinus). The police station opposite opened in 1872 in response to reports of widespread drunken behaviour.