Home > London > SE18 > North Kent Tavern North Kent Tavern

Picture source: Nigel Cox

The North Kent Tavern was situated on Spray Street.

My parents were the tenants of The North Kent Tavern in Woolwich from 1968 until 1971. I have many fond memories of living there. Their names were Vic & Pam Barton, my dad was a musician and a well known bass player in jazz bands; we used to have jazz nights there all the time.

Lynne Warner (March 2012)

I remember the North Kent Tavern vividly as my “Uncle” Ted (Ted Doye) used to drink there and took me there several times when I was aged between 5 & 9 (1967 to 71). They had a Great Dane called Simon and were very amused that the dog Simon was much bigger than the diminutive child Simon. Kenny Ball (of Kenny Ball and his jazzmen) used to frequent there and played there, I think. I remember meeting Kenny there. They also used to hold firework parties in the back of the pub, and I went to a couple with Uncle Ted. Sad to see that it is no longer around.

Simon Philpott (July 2021)

The North Kent Tavern during the time of Vic Barton became a home from home for many of the musicians of South East London, specially those with a leaning towards jazz of all forms. Most of us were working with local bands or taking contracts for work in other parts of England, overseas, in France, Germany, etc., or involved with passenger Liner Cruises departing from London or Southampton. When back in the area we would meet regularly at Vic's place which enabled us to catch up with each other and take part in the many jazz sessions he organized. I recall the resident pianist was Dave Herridge, and former Glaswegian Bill McGhee was on drums. Other assorted instrumentalist would drop by from time to time for a jam session. I played there on drums on many occasions when Bill was not available or joined in on bongos at other times. My last visit was in 1971 shortly before it's closure and preceding my emigration to Australia.

Bob Brown (October 2021)

Do you have any anecdotes, historical information, updates or photos of this pub? Become a contributor by submitting them here. Like this site? Follow us on

Contacts

Were you a customer, publican or member of staff at this pub? Display your email contact details on this page by adding them here and let past regulars get in touch with you.

Name	Dates	Comments
Dave	1999	I visited all the pubs in Woolwich before the millennium. The North Kent Tavern stayed in my mind as the barmaid a very nice looking woman repeated,it seemed, at least 30 times over the evening ,that only two things fall out of the sky, Bird Shit and paratroopers, I had a feeling that she was/had been married/in dispute with a paratrooper. I do hope it was resolved