Duke Without a Head, Wateringbury, Nr. Maidstone.
© Whitbreads

This is one of those rather lovely stories that should go with a pub name. Originally, this pub in Wateringbury had the fairly common name of "The Duke's Head". However, at one point in its life an application was made to move the licence to other premises in the area. The necessary document was return with the following notation, "Permission is given to remove The Duke's Head". Obviously, there must of been someone at the brewery with a sense of humour at the time and that it exactly what they did! Hence the name thereafter.

Unfortunately, I have it on good authority from someone who used to live in the area that not only was this pub closed in recent years but the premises were also pulled down. Therefore, the poor old Duke now lacks a body as well as his head which is why no picture of the premises is included at present.