Built in a time when Henry VI
wore the crown.
Sat quietly on The Bayle since around 1463 — older than the printing press in England, older than Shakespeare, older than most of the streets around us.
c.1463
opened
560+
years
4.5
Tripadvisor
Our Story
Nestled in the heart of Folkestone’s historic core, The British Lion at 8–10 The Bayle stands as a testament to time, its roots entwined with the very fabric of the town since the 15th century. This charming pub, located just a stone’s throw from the parish church, offers a delightful village-like atmosphere, a serene escape from the bustling main shopping streets.
The tale of The British Lion begins in the mid-15th century, when it first opened its doors as the Priory Arms, named after a nearby medieval priory that met its end under the reign of Henry VIII in 1535. Though whispers of an inn on this site date back even further, it wasn’t until 1782 that the pub was first recorded under a lion-themed name, with John Ladd at the helm. The winds of change swept through during the First World War, and for patriotic reasons, the pub was rechristened the British Lion, a name it proudly bears to this day.
The British Lion’s fame is further enriched by its connection to the literary giant Charles Dickens. During his stay at Albion Villas in 1855–56, while penning the pages of “Little Dorrit,” Dickens made this pub his local haunt. A quaint interior room, where he is said to have sat, is affectionately known as the “Dickens Room,” a nod to the pub’s storied past.
Architecturally, The British Lion is a delightful blend of old and new. Its bow-windowed Queen Anne front conceals a much older, cosy 15th-century interior. In 1995, local historian Eamonn Rooney uncovered a fascinating piece of history: part of an existing wall once belonged to a late medieval priory, adding another layer to the pub’s rich tapestry.
Over the centuries, The British Lion has changed hands and operators many times, with records of it being auctioned as “the British Lion” in the 1840s and later tied to breweries such as Whitbread Fremlins. Yet, through it all, it has remained a steadfast fixture in Folkestone, serving cask ales, ciders, and classic pub food in one of the town’s most historic settings. Whether you’re a history buff, a Dickens enthusiast, or simply in search of a cosy spot to enjoy a pint, The British Lion invites you to step back in time and become part of its enduring story.