Here is just a little info to let you get to know us better...
Here is a little potted history of our pub and the local area... if you have a spare minute or two and maybe a cup of tea (or is that a G&T), we think it's well worth a read.
The White Hart on Tonbridge Road in Sevenoaks was built high on the Greensand Ridge in the late 16th / early 17th century near to the site of an ancient inn called The Cock.
A 'hart' is a male deer or stag, but the white hart took on a mythical quality through its association with Herne the Hunter (pronounced 'Ern the 'unter ).
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Herne worked for Richard II in Windsor forest, but was fatally injured while defending the king against a cornered white stag. A local wizard restored him to health but, in return, Herne was forced to give up his hunting skills and eventually through frustration and disappointment hanged himself from an oak tree near the castle. Richard II subsequently adopted the White Hart as his crest. Here is a detail from a portrait of Richard 11 painted around 1306, The Wilton Diptych, showing him wearing a brooch with a white hart emblem.
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King Richard's White Hart had golden antlers and a golden crown around its neck with a gold chain hanging from the crown. Heraldically, the Hart symbolises peace and harmony, the White denoting purity.
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In 1389 Richard passed an Act making it compulsory for pubs and inns to have a sign outside in order to identify them to the official Ale Taster, "otherwise he shall forfeit his ale." Consequently, a great many pubs were named "The White Hart", after Richard II's own heraldic emblem.
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The first turnpike road in Kent from Sevenoaks to Woodsgate (1709) ran past the White Hart. Passing coaches were required to pay a toll to the turnpike trustees. This included those in charge of the four-horse stage coach, which called at the White Hart three times a week on its long journey from the Nag's Head in Southwark to Rye in Sussex.
In 1456 the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Bourchier, purchased the 100 acre estate of Knole and built the great house which lies to the eastern side of the town. This was later appropriated by Henry VII and then passed on to Queen Elizabeth I who gave it to her cousin Thomas Sackville.
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The name "Sevenoaks" originated from the Saxon word 'Seouenaca', a name given in about 800 A.D. to a small chapel near seven oaks in Knole Park. Sevenoaks was historically part of the Great Manor of Otford. In 1200, a market was started in the town and due to its economic success, it made Sevenoaks a manor it its own right.
The town's motto is "Floreant Septum Quercus" - " May the Seven Oaks Flourish "
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In 1728, seven oak trees were planted on land next to the White Hart, close to the turnpike road, as part of a tradition to perpetuate the name of the town. The trees grew tall and strong but, sadly, were felled in 1955 as they were considered a danger to passing traffic. The novelist Vita Sackville-West and the chairman of Sevenoaks Urban Council, Mrs Eliane Viner jointly planted seven oak saplings in their place, which stand today.
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There is another group of seven oak trees, to the northern side of the Vine Cricket Ground (so named as the land was once used as the vineyard for the Archbishops of Canterbury). The average life of an oak tree is approximately 250 years and so the oaks have been replaced several times. The seven oaks were planted on The Vine in 1902 to commemorate the Coronation of King Edward VII, but during the hurricane of 1987 six of these were blown down and Sevenoaks became "Oneoaks".
Surprisingly, seven new oaks were subsequently planted, which means there are now eight oaks.
In 1840, Samuel Palmer, one of England's greatest 19th century landscape artists, stayed at the White Hart Hotel which, he said, cost him 26 shillings a week. Dinner was two shillings per head and breakfast, with eggs or meat, was 1/6d. Whilst there is no evidence of Charles Dickens staying at the White Hart he did make several trips to the area and once rented an apartment in the town of Sevenoaks. It is possible he stood at the bar and enjoyed an ale or two, as his daughter Kate and her husband did whilst staying at The White Hart after Charles' death in 1870.
Whilst on the subject of artists, Dante Gabriel Rossetti painted this wonderful picture in 1850, and used the countryside around Sevenoaks as the background.
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Sevenoaks, while being a prosperous and peaceful community, has not been without its share of tragedy. In 1927, a passenger train ran out of control down the bank from the north, and 13 people were killed. Here is a photograph of an earlier train accident which occurred in 1884:
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In 1967, The Beatles filmed parts of The Magical Mystery Tour in Sevenoaks, at Knowle Park. Scenes included The Beatles walking down a giant staircase in one of the hangers with 160 dancers at the bottom of it, a tug of war involving 12 children and a number of blindfolded vicars and the famous 'I am The Walrus' scene.
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The White Hart features in several publications, including Sevenoaks Essays by Dr Gordon Ward, The Pleasant Town of Sevenoaks by Sir John Dunlop and The Broad Highway, a regency classic written by Jeffrey Farnol. By several accounts, they are not what you might call pot-boilers.
If you'd like to put a name to a face, allow us to introduce you to the crew...
Manager
Tom took over as Landlord in October 2018 and hasn't looked back since. Having enjoyed many a year running pubs in central London, Sevenoaks now suits him well. Food is a big part of Tom's life (both cooking and eating), a love for beer and good wine also high on the list! When not overseeing the goings on at The White Hart you can find Tom 'outdoors'. A keen climber and now teaching his son Louis to be the next Bear Grylls!
Deputy Manager
Tamas has worked in the industry for over a decade and his passion for good food and beer has made him an asset to the White Hart team. Tamas is a keen sportsman, and loves running. So if he is not running around motivating staff with his one liners you will find him running a marathon in Tunbridge Wells. Boom Boom!
Deputy Manager
Steph joined us in March 2022 moving from the childcare sector. Steph has recently moved house so transferred from out sister pub, the Mill House. Steph has two energetic boys at home as well as looking after the staff and customers here at the White Hart.
Supervisor
Lisa has been with the team for nearly 10 years. Bringing glamour to the pub, you will always see her either behind the bar or hosting. We our very proud of Lisa as she has managed to use an iPad as she can be a bit of a technophobe. But make sure she has her glasses near to hand otherwise she won't be able to read or see you.
Supervisor
Andrew is another long-standing member of the white hart team. Andrew is always dressed to impress with his waistcoats filled with goodies, a man always ready with a pen, lighter or bottle opener. But don't be surprised if you recognise Andrew not just from the pub but from his budding movie career as an extra. Andrew is always keen to talk football as well, certainly if it's to do with Tottenham and Plymouth Argyle.
Supervisor
Molly has been with the company on and off since 2017. She joined us at the White Hart at the end of summer and is loving it. Molly is a Formula 1 fan and can often be found arguing who is better, Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen.
Bar/Waiting
Jen has been with us for 6 years now. Jen likes to keep busy, when she is not working here she is a Yoga teacher, who recently ran her first retreat. If she has any spare time left she will be found at a beach on the water paddle boarding.
Bar/Waiting
Amelia is one of our lovely bar/waiting team who is always there ready to help. Amelia enjoys taking care of her pet horse, Mr Bond when she is not looking after customer at the White Hart.
Bar/Waiting
Hannah is super bubbly and always oozing positivity. Hannah loves to walk her dogs, listen and dance to music. She is dreaming about traveling in the future.
Bar/Waiting
Oliver is fairly new to the team and is a keen guitarist. Oliver can be found singing behind the bar and chatting to customers.
Senior Sous Chef
Paul, also known as "Chuckles", is a very happy chappy with a 'can do', positive, 'glass-half-full' attitude and an infectious laugh. He fits in very well with the all too happy and relaxed chefs at the White Hart - no stressed out Ramsay expletives or Pierre White tantrums here. Paul actually started front of house earlier in his career, but after showing a natural talent for cooking he found himself starting to dress all in white. Paul, much like Eddie, has a second love for two wheeled freedom and owns Chris's dream bike.
Head Chef
Guy has worked in pubs and hotels since he was 16 years old. He joined Brunning and Price in 2010 and has been smashing it ever since. He took a small sabbatical of 3 years travelling all around Southeast Asia. Getting involved with Thai cooking schools, scuba diving and scrambling bikes in the middle of the jungle. Having come back in one piece he joined the White Hart team as head chef in 2019. Not satisfied with running a busy kitchen, Guy has also just got married and decided to embark on fatherhood by bringing into the world a baby boy called Austin.
Chef de Partie
Kai, another new recruit to the White Hart is originally from Thailand and is a mother of three. Cooking up a storm on desserts, Kai has an infectious laugh that can be heard at the other end of the pub. She'll often be found feeding the crew with her delicious homemade curries and blowing our heads off with the heat! Watch this space, they may be coming to a menu near you!
Kitchen Porter
Mel has been part of the White Hart family for 3 years now. Working hard in the kitchen and helping make the pub look beautifully clean. Mel is a mum of 2 boys so when she isn't working has her hands full. You may see Mel on the other side of the bar with a glass of rosé. Always keeping things ship shape. Mel is also finally joining the front of house team. A triple threat!
