White Horse, DOVER, Kent

Sitting in the shadow of Dover Castle and beside the ruins of a bombed Norman Church, you will find the historic White Horse Inn.

A majestic old building & unsurprisingly haunted, the White Horse boasts a stunning terrace garden to the rear with the unusual backdrop of the bombed Church.

The Grade 2 listed White Horse dates back to 1365 and was originally the home to the Verger to St James Church.

In 1574, it is said to have taken its first recorded steps as an "Ale tasting house" before being known as "The White Horse Inn" from 1818.

Historic records show that the cellar was used as a morgue and inquests on bodies recovered from the sea are said to have been heard here in the rear dining rooms.

With a history like that, there is little wonder that both landlords can spin a yarn to delighted visitors about their own experiences of unexplainable happenings.

The Horse - as it is known locally - went on to survive both wars unscathed whilst its neighbour, St James Church, was struck during both.

In 2002, channel swimming brothers Albert & Peter Bardoel started the unusual tradition of signing the main bar following on from a successful solo channel swim.

This tradition ran until 2018 when the walls became full but the quirky décor lives on creating a quizzical topic of conversation.

A sensitive refurbishment during lockdown saw decades of lead paint being removed to show a more traditional wood finish in the rear dining rooms.

These days, the White Horse Inn is a hive of activity with an eclectic mix of tourists & locals alike mingling with thespians, artists or even channel swimmers, enjoying traditional, home cooked food and sampling premium drinks in Cosy, traditional surroundings.