The Artillery Arms in Ramsgate is Grade II Listed (8 October 1972), originally known as The Ash Arms. It stands on Artillery Row at 36 West Cliff Road, and was formerly listed as 36 Royal Road (East Side). A CAMRA Guide entry for many years, this local is worth seeking out and enjoys a considerable reputation as a real ale destination. It normally features five local beers and others from independent brewers elsewhere, such as Oakham and Thornbridge. Wednesday evenings are Gourmet Night.

This small early Victorian pub dated 1840 is laid out on three levels. It has a jukebox, is decorated throughout with militaria and boasts a striking set of old well-preserved and attractively painted and stained-glass windows depicting 19th century cavalry charges and battle scenes. It is believed that the windows were designed and made by French prisoners of war brought to Ramsgate following the Battle of Waterloo.⁽¹⁾

The Grade II listing states:-

“GV II Public house. Circa 1840. Painted brick with slate roof. Three storeys and basement with parapet to hipped roof and stacks to left and to rear. Two storey bow with glazing bar sashes on first and second floors. Ground floor pub front wrapped around front and returned to side elevations, with panelled aprons to frosted and stained glass windows with pilaster piers to fascia and cornice, with pediments containing relief of cannons over panelled and glazed doors on left and right corners. Left return (to West Cliff Road) with sash above panelled front, glazing bar sash over half-glazed door with semi-circular fanlight, and glazing bar sashes on each floor to left and also in two storey end wing.“⁽²⁾

On Saturday 20 July 1889 a notice of sale of the pub appeared in the Thanet Advertiser newspaper and was earmarked for auction in one lot on Wednesday 7 August 1889:-

To Brewers, Innkeeper’s, Trustees & Others.

Compact and Safe Investment, important Freehold Property, the “Artillery Arms,” occupying a splendid position on the Westcliff, at the corner of the Royal Road, Ramsgate, and on the main thoroughfare from the town to Pegwell Bay, &c., with dwelling house, workshops, builders yard, and premises adjoining.

Mr. Woods has been favoured with instructions from the owner, to sell by auction, at the “Bull and George Hotel” Ramsgate, on Wednesday, August 7th, 1889, at 3 for 4 o’clock, in one lot.

That well-known and deservedly popular old established fully licensed freehold public house, well situated at the junction of the four important roads, and enjoying the patronage of the residents as well as the visitors of this favourite seaside resort.

The “Artillery Arms” is substantially built, of good elevation, conveniently arranged, has a pretty bar with three entrances, and good cellarage. It is at present leased to Messrs. Tomson and Wotton, the eminent Ramsgate Brewers, at the nominal rental of £50 per annum. The lease expires and about 2 years, when it will doubtless readily realise at the least £100 a year.

Also the valuable Freehold Workshops and Yard adjoining, let to Mr. Coleman at rental of £9 per annum; and the compact Dwelling House adjoining at side, No. 34, West Cliff Road, rental £14 a year.

May be viewed by permission of the various tenants, and Particulars with Conditions obtained one week prior to the sale of the premises, at the “Bull and George Hotel,” Ramsgate; of W. G. Esq., Solicitor, 33, Guilford Street, Russell Square, London; and of Mr. Woods, Auctioneer and Land Agent, Hounslow.⁽³⁾

The Artillery Arms is said to be haunted by two apparitions. A resident gentleman appears, dressed in early Victorian-style military uniform (for example, a ghostly reminder of the Crimean War in 1854?) and leans against an external wall watching people go by. From the ground floor is a short flight of haunted steps and manifestations include a female ghost who sits on the top step, wearing a long white nightdress and cotton mop cap. Here is my YouTube short:-

In 1934 the Landlord and Licensee, 24-year-old Albert Drapper, formerly of the Navy, was shot in the head in a taxi-cab in Paris, just a few minutes after arriving at the Gare du Nord. He passed away three hours later at the St Louis Hospital without regaining consciousness. The unfortunate young gentleman had hailed the taxi-cab at the Gare du Nord and instructed the driver to take him to the Gare de Lyon, which was the main station for trains to the south of France. Presumably he was on vacation, but do we know for sure? The taxi-cab was traversing the Place de la Republique when the taxi driver heard a shot ring out. He turned around and saw Mr Drapper huddled in a corner with a revolver in his hand. The question is, was someone after him or did he pull the trigger?⁽⁴⁾

On 28 February 1973 the East Kent Times and Mail⁽⁵⁾ reported that the Ramsgate Works Committee wanted to see the Artillery Arms demolished and were approaching the planning authorities to seek a Compulsory Purchase Order on the basis that the old pub, now a free house after being sold by Whitbread’s two years earlier, was a traffic hazard. However, because of its specific architectural interest with its stained glass windows, the pub was now a listed building. Thankfully the request failed and the Artillery Arms remains a vibrant part of the local community.

Catherine

Citations:-

⁽¹⁾ Artillery Arms, Ramsgate; Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA); https://camra.org.uk/pubs/artillery-arms-ramsgate-130354

⁽²⁾ Kent County Council Historic Environment Record; Listed Building: THE ARTILLERY ARMS (1336327); date assigned: 8 October 1972; Listing NGR: TR3778664644

⁽³⁾ Dover Kent Archives: Artillery Arms, 36 West Cliff Road, Ramsgate, 01843 853202; https://dover-kent.com/Artillery-Arms-Ramsgate.html

⁽⁴⁾ Dover Express, Friday 10 August 1934

⁽⁵⁾ They want to see the old pub demolished, East Kent Times and Mail, 28 February 1973