Bromley pub once used as overnight stop for prisoners now up for sale

A historic pub once used as an overnight stop for prisoners has been put on the market for nearly half a million pounds. The Old Jail pub and restaurant in Biggin Hill, Bromley, is a Grade II-listed building dating back to the 18th century.

The venue was used to hold French prisoners of war overnight during Napoleonic times, as they were being transported to Maidstone, according to The Bromley Borough Local History Society and Biggin Hill History Group. And, up until it closed in February 2023, it was very well liked by punters.

It had earned a 4.2 star rating - out of five - in Google reviews. One customer wrote a year ago: "The Old Jail in Biggin Hill is a genuinely old English pub with excellent food and a good selection of drinks.

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"It has seating for eating and drinking inside and out, the garden is quite large and also accommodates some play equipment. It also has a reasonably-sized car park but poor mobile reception for some networks, so a walk up the road may be needed to get a signal.

"The bar welcomes you with an open fire on a cold night." Another wrote: "Love this pub! Used to be my 'local' many moons ago, so it was lovely to have a pint here after so long. Hasn't changed much, which is nice."

Leisure property specialists Fleurets have now been apointed sole agents to sell the pub. Set in an "extraordinarily large site" on the outskirts of Biggin hill, the agents said the building requires complete refurbishment but "offers fantastic potential", including the possibility for change of use, subject to any necessary consents being obtained.

The property is now being offered with a guide price of £495,000, plus VAT, for the freehold interest. Simon Bland, senior associate at Fleurets, said: “Unsurprisingly, we have already received a terrific response, clearly indicating that, even in these challenging times, at the right price buyers are still keen for opportunities to do something completely unique.

"It will be fascinating to see how the next chapter in The Old Jail’s story unfolds.” For further information or to arrange a viewing contact Fleurets on 020 7280 4700 or send an email to: london@fleurets.com.

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