Our Story
Below are some pictures of what the pub looked like before Irene & Eamonn took over, since then there have been so many positive changes. Remember to explore our gallery of what the pub looks like now - an incredible difference.
2020 - The BEGINNING
Irene & Eamonn took over Ye Olde Crown in July 2020, each having a vision for the pub to make it a welcoming, cosy and delightful place. As in the midst of the Coronavirus, it made it very difficult to progress through to open as soon as possible but with their determination and goals, they achieved this by the end of the month. New menus and a cocktail bar helped the pub move from strength to strength. It was a new second home to the locals of Edenbridge and brought in some new faces to the area. As you can see from the pictures, Irene & Eamonn have taken the time to really make the pub feel like home with its homely décor and warming atmosphere. It is now a hot spot in the area for unique cocktails, wonderful food and a great atmosphere amongst friends. We look forward to welcoming you!
Our History
1900
1905
1935
1952
The village grew up as the crossing point of the river, with the high street being paved by the Romans about 100AD. This provided a route for the wood and iron found in the Ashdown Forest to be taken to London.
The name appears to be from the bridge over the Eden, but after the Romans left, a Saxon, named Eadhelm became leader of the local people. Eadhelm built a bridge over the river which was unnamed at the time. The village was named EadhelmBridge which was shortened to Edenbridge, subsequently the river was named River Eden.
An old legend is that the first stone bridge across the river was built because two old ladies were unable to cross the river in a time of flooding, and a trust was set up to maintain the bridge.
The 1500s brought wealth to the town with the iron industry. The raw materials came from the surrounding areas. The small town built up, but suffered badly with the relocation of the iron industry to the midlands in the early 1800s.
The latest bridge was built in 1834 and provides a picturesque crossing of the river.
However, in the mid 1800s, the town started to regain its wealth when it became the crossing point for the north-south and the east-west railway lines, which made it a loading point for the locally produced farm goods, and the first commuters.
Ye Olde Crown is a remarkably preserved inn that has been serving wayfarers and visitors since the reign of Edward III (1327 -1377). The inn, a distinctive landmark in Edenbridge, is unmissable because of its unique Kentish bridging sign which spans the High street. It has a known secret passage running from the pub to the church, which was used in the late 17th century by the Ransley Gang for smuggling. The first documented publican was a Mr Robert Fuller (1593), when the pub was known as Fullers House.
When the pub was renovated in 1993, the builders unearthed an old pair of shoes, which are now housed in the museum next to Ye Olde Crown. The legend goes that many of the older buildings had shoes in the walls, as the people of past times believed that a pair of shoes in the wall warded off evil.