The tenancy of the Grade II-listed Man of Kent, a 450-year-old former coaching inn in Little Mill, Kent, is now available, with pub operator Stonegate advertising the fixed-term tenancy on its Pub Partners website.
The historic pub, located beside the River Bourne on Tonbridge Road, dates back to 1588 and has been run by the same licensees for the past 18 years, who vacated in February. The property is described by Stonegate as a “charming waterside pub opportunity in Kent, full of character and history, set in a picturesque location beside the River Bourne.”
A Rare Opportunity for Experienced Operators
Stonegate highlights the pub’s strong potential for food and drink, noting that its unique setting attracts both locals and visitors. The pub features one main bar with an open fireplace and seating for casual drinkers and diners. Outside, there is a large patio area overlooking the river, described as “ideal for seasonal trade,” along with 12 parking spaces and staff accommodation.
The company states: “This is a rare opportunity to take on one of the best-known pubs in the area, available for the first time in many years.” They add: “This is a fantastic pub that needs the highest standards and quality offering. This pub is ideally suited to an experienced operator with a passion for running a food-led pub, while maintaining strong community connections.”
Financials and Location
The Man of Kent currently operates a balanced drink and food business with an estimated turnover of £817,000, advertised at a weekly rent of £1,038. The pub is located a mile from the village of East Peckham and serves as a popular stopping point for ramblers and day trippers enjoying riverside walks beside the mill stream.
Inside, the historic building features low oak-beamed ceilings in the saloon bar and classic period features. Records show it operated as a Post Office and grocery store in the 1930s, and it was Grade II listed in 1959. The listing describes it as a “house and cottage, now a public house. C17. Brick ground floor, tile-hung 1st floor. Some exposed framing on ground floor. Central half-hipped gable brought down as catslide to right. Plain tiled roof.”
Name and Historical Significance
The pub’s name refers to a historic division in Kent based on birthplace. One popular belief holds that people born on one side of the River Medway are Men of Kent, while those born on the other side are Kentish Men. Pubs named the Man of Kent were traditionally placed on one side of the geographical divide, while those called the Kentish Man are on the opposite.
The tenancy advertisement marks a significant change for the pub, which has been a community fixture for centuries. Stonegate’s search for a new operator underscores the need for an experienced landlord to maintain the pub’s food-led offering and community ties, with the fixed-term tenancy now open for applications.
