Image Credits
The image used top right is painted by local artist Christopher Jarvis.
The image shown in the top left (Alan Haynes sign) is taken from a painting by John Grundy.
The image used top right is painted by local artist Christopher Jarvis.
The image shown in the top left (Alan Haynes sign) is taken from a painting by John Grundy.
Contact: Mark & Jo
The Cock Inn, Shoreham Lane, Halstead TN14 7DD
Tel: 01959 533171
Hello from all of our team at The Cock Inn. We offer a friendly welcome, efficient service, real ale, a good selection of lager and wine and fabulous traditional homemade food (or so we've been told)!!!
Our chef prepares all meals here in the kitchen using local produce where possible. All our meat is supplied by Williamson's Butchers (our beef is locally reared on Ide Hill) and we have fresh fish delivered daily. If you're looking for hearty homemade pub food then come and try us out. On Sunday's we offer a selection roasts as well - all our meat and potatoes are cooked on the day and you should try our gravy - just like your Nan used to make!!!
As well as our great food, we offer everything you would expect from a local village country pub and more - log fires, separate cosy restaurant area, tranquil outside patio, air-conditioned bar and restaurant, large car park, great atmosphere, men and ladies darts teams and a place to catch up on all the local news. We also hold a light hearted monthly quiz evening where you can try some cheeses supplied by Williamsons butchers. All proceeds are donated to good causes.
So don't just take our word for it, come and see us and become a regular! The gossip you'll hear at the bar will be better than any episode of Eastenders.
The inn known as The Cock was built during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603) in the year. The origin of the sign of the Cock dates back to the reign of Richard I (1189-1199) and refers to the days of chivalry when knights made their vows at a tournament banquet, before a peacock served up in all its magnificent plumage.
The inn, when first built was a farm dwelling part of a considerable estate. The earliest recorded occupant is one Francis Jessel, a farmer of the parish of Knockholt, who purchased the property in 1639. Sale documents show that four acres of arable land were included as well as several outbuildings and a stable. Jessel lived here with his wife Naomi, four sons and three daughters. In 1653, the property was again sold. At this date only two and a half acres of land are included in the inventory.
In 1702, the property was purchased by one Thomas Hatherall who is described as a beer retailer and farmer of the parish of Chelsfield. In August of the same year Hatherall was granted a licence to sell ales and ciders only. The property thus became a "registered ale house" which entitled its keeper, under the authority of two justices, to administer ale between divine service. The punishment for doing so was a fine, a day in the stocks and in some cases a flogging. In a licensed transfer of 1718, the house was registered under the title of the "Cock".
In 1734, the "Cock" was closed for a period of six weeks while justices sat in debate on the conduct of one Thomas White, innkeeper of Bromley, who had applied for a licence at the "Cock" in July of that year. White was refused a licence on the grounds of having previously kept a disorderly house and the inn was resold to a grocer of Orpington, one James Smeed.
The "Cock" is mentioned in the last will and testament of one Cedric Roper drawn up in 1758 when he decreed that "My hospicum situate and being at Halstede known by nayme and sine of the "Cocke" with its lande thereto belonginge upon my passinge, shale the dedes and tytle be deliverede up toe my wife Anne and lete nothinge contrarie to the trewe meaninge of this my will and testament".
In 1782, a private coach heading for the "Cock" was hailed by a highwayman. His plans to rob the passengers however were thwarted by the quick thinking of the coachman, a man named Greaves, who it is said "drove the team at such a furious speed in the direction of the "Cock" tavern that it allowed the ruffian no time to collect himself. Coachman Greaves was rewarded with a guinea for his bravery.
In 1811, the "Cock" was purchased by one Francis Young, former town-crier of Bromley. The inn remained in the possession of the young family for over forty years. During the great drought of the 1880s all water needed at the "Cock" had to be carried in buckets from the big well at Halstead Place. When contractors demolished the old church, the pulpit stood for many years in the yard of the "Cock".
The "Cock" has seen and undergone many changes since it was first built. In 1985 it underwent an ambitious refurbishment but the historic atmosphere remains unchanged. So stay, enjoy the fayre and reflect on those bygone days.
