The Dirty Habit pub in Hollingbourne will reopen in May.

The inn has been closed since October 2022 when it was badly damaged by fire.

Drinks and food should be available from Tuesday 5 May before the all day ‘grand re-opening party’ on Saturday 9 May which is open to all.

The Pilgrims’ Way runs along the north side of the building which is claimed as ‘having developed from an 11th-century monks ‘ ale and cider house’. The now mainly early Georgian building has ’13th- century country pub’ written above the front windows.

As an inn It was long called Ye Olde Pilgrim’s Rest until 1727 when the name was changed to the King’s Head. The original name was restored as The Pilgrim’s Rest in 1975 but this century it been called The Dirty Habit.

Today’s name refers to the monks habits being stained as they harvested grapes in the surrounding vineyards and produced wine.

The Manor of Hollingbourne belonged to the monastic community of Canterbury Cathedral. In Domesday book the village is recorded as ‘the land of the monks of the archbishop’.

This ownership was confirmed by Henry II who granted a charter to the Prior and monks of Canterbury.

There are plans for The Dirty Habit to offer accommodation later in the year.