Listed Building record TR 05 NE 72 - LITTLE CHEF

Summary

Grade II listed building. A former coaching inn, now a Little Chef, built in the 18th century with early 19th century additions. The building is of painted brick and mathematical tiles with plain tiled roofs. The inn consists of two parallel ranges and is of two storeys, with a single storey extension to the right. The arrested followers of Sir William Courtenay were held here after the Courtenay riots and the Battle of Bossenden Wood in 1838.

Location

Grid reference TR 0898 5874 (point)
Map sheet TR05NE
County KENT
District SWALE, KENT
Civil Parish DUNKIRK, SWALE, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
TR 05 NE DUNKIRK CANTERBURY ROAD (South side) 5/93 Little Chef 31.7.79 (formerly listed as The Gate Inn)
II
Coaching Inn, now roadside diner. C18 and early C19. Painted brick and mathematical tiles with plain tiled roof. Two parallel ranges. Two storeys, the upper with mathematical tiles, and overhanging eaves with stacks project- ing to left and to right. Three glazing bar sashes on first floor, and canted bay window to left on ground floor with two 2 light transomed windows to right. Central half-glazed door with flat head. Single storey hipped extension to right. Hipped rear wing. Arrested followers of Sir William Courtenay held here after Courtenay riots and Battle of Bossenden Wood (1838).
Listing NGR: TR0898058744 (1)

Archaeological monitoring at the site in 2023 identified a dump deposit associated with the 18th-19th century inn. The deposit contained brick, tile and mortar, and the handle from a rum jar dated to the later 19th-20th century, alongsie a galvanised steel bucket handle. (2)

Historic England archive material: BF107679 LITTLE CHEF (C), GATE INN (F), CANTERBURY ROAD, DUNKIRK


<1> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<2> Allen Archaeology, 2023, Archaeological Monitoring Report, Sheila’s Kitchen, Gate Service Station, London Road, Dunkirk, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE57407.

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <1> Map: English Heritage. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Allen Archaeology. 2023. Archaeological Monitoring Report, Sheila’s Kitchen, Gate Service Station, London Road, Dunkirk, Kent.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: Investigation by RCHME/EH Architectural Survey (EKE19937)
  • Intrusive Event: Archaeological monitoring at Sheila’s Kitchen, Gate Service Station, London Road, Dunkirk, 2023 (Ref: AAL Site Code: DULR23) (EKE25020)

Record last edited

Nov 18 2025 6:04PM