In the early 1500s, a group of unemployed ships' carpenters built a row of cottages looking onto the river at Gravesend. 500 years later the structure still stands under the sign of the "Three Daws".

The carpenters used whatever timber they could lay their hands on and every door, window, room and cupboard was unique in size and shape. As the cottages were joined up, the random nature of the many staircases became more apparent, adding character to the structure.

In 1565, seven years after Elizabeth I came to the throne, the inn first gained its licence which it has held now for well over 400 years.

Merchant ships and men-o-war used to await the change of the tide at Gravesend; they could then take advantage of the current to carry them upstream. Experienced pilots would board the ships to guide them through the mud flats and shallows. Eventually a pilot's house was built next to the tavern, a natural place to exchange tales of seamanship over a tankard of ale.

During the Stewart era, imported spirits were heavily taxed and smuggling was highly profitable. The Three Daws was not averse to increasing its profits from these activities even thought the Custom House was eventually built across the road. It is said to this day, that if the walls of the cellars were pulled down, tunnels would be found radiating out from the pub.

On the 21st. of January 1793, Louis XVI was executed in Paris and within a fortnight Britain was at war with revolutionary France. George III ordered press gangs to be sent out to bring experienced seamen into the Navy and to recover deserters. The Three Daws was regularly visited by the press gangs but sailors loved the warren of staircases that increased their chance of escape. In 1798, a local order was given that press gangs should only raid the tavern when two teams of the King's men were available.

The pub continued to evolve over time and eventually became a tourist venue for Victorian day-trippers who arrived by steamboat. With a history spanning 500 years and its location at the end of the high-street, facing the river, the Three Daws is still as popular today as it ever was.

The Three Daws
7 Town Pier, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0BJ
tel: 01474 566869