Railway Hotel, Greenhithe

The Railway Hotel traded from 1851 until 1998, as, successively, part of the tied estate of the Dartford Brewery Co, Style & Winch, Barclay Perkins and finally Courage. Among its attractions was a good sized garden that was home to a variety of caged animals in the 1970s and 80s.

Much to the annoyance of the local community it was sacrificed to allow the builders - and subsequently the customers - of a nearby shopping precinct to fill their bellies with food and drink of questionable nutritional value, being converted to a fast food outlet on closure.

It may have been a direct replacement for a pub that is known to have stood opposite the site from 1707, being known variously as The Wyvern Head (1707-50); The Three Horseshoes (1750-1814); and The Plough & Harrow (1814-51). This was converted to a private house (Ivy Cottage) on closure.

Thanks to www.dover-kent.com for permission to reproduce the archive images.