Description from record TR 15 NW 370:
No 1 Orange Street, Seven Stars Hotel [TR 14925794 sited from OS 1/1250 1974] Grade II. Probably a genuine timber-framed building fronted. (1) No 1 Orange Street. Timber-framed. Jettied, 16th - 17th century. Altered and extended 19th and 20th centuries. (2)

The Canterbury UAD states states that this is a Fremlins/Whitbread inn.

Under a statute of the reign of Edward VI only four innholders within the City could enjoy the privilege of selling wine in addition to the normal licence to sell beer. Each year changes were made in the selected few and between 1660 and 1685 there were only nine of the principal inns granted this privilege. The Seven Stars was one of the pubs then selected and in the City archives there is a document, complete with seals, giving a licence to Katherine Gill for this house in the parish of St. Alphege.

The Licensing Lists of 1692 onwards show the complete continuity of its trade, although many other houses had their licences suspended through disorderly conduct of their customers. In 1693 the Billeting List for soldiers listed the Seven Stars for 8 men.

In 1759 there was an advertisement in the Kentish Post, 'To be Let The Fox and Seven Stars with good stabling'. (3)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 944 ORANGE STREET (South East Side)
No 1 (Seven Stars Hotel) TR 1457 NE 4/621
II GV
2. Probably a genuine timber-framed building refronted. 2 storeys and attic gables. Ground floor stuccoed. Upper floors are imitation timber-framed and plastered. 6 sashes in all with casements in the gables. Ground floor has an early C19 pub front. No 1 and Nos 4 to 7 (consec) form a group.
Listing NGR: TR1491657937 (4)


For many years, more recently, this inn was managed by Mr D Whitcombe and following his death, by his widow for several years.

<1> DOE (HHR) City of Canterbury Kent Sept 1973 181 (OS Card Reference). SKE40020.

<2> Hist Builds Survey Cant City Council/RCHME 57032 5 of 7 (OS Card Reference). SKE43869.

<3> Wilmot, E., 1988, Inns of Canterbury (Monograph). SKE29737.

<4> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.