Hare and Billet

Hare and Billet is a public house on Hare & Billet Road in Blackheath, south-east London. The venue overlooks parts of Greenwich Park and sits near Hare and Billet Pond, one of the ponds on Blackheath. Its name and identity are closely associated with the surrounding road, heathland setting, and long history as a stopping place for travellers. The establishment is reported to have been trading since the 1600s. By the eighteenth century it was operating as an isolated coaching inn on the route across Blackheath. The area formed part of the route of Watling Street, the Roman road leading toward Dover, and was historically known for difficult travel conditions and highway robbery. This setting gave the inn a practical role as a place where travellers could stop, eat, drink, and rest while crossing the heath. Today, Hare and Billet functions primarily as a local pub and hospitality venue rather than as a packaged consumer-goods brand. Its offering is centred on pub services, food, beverages, and the experience of visiting a historic London public house. The venue's location also gives it a connection to Greenwich Park, Blackheath, nearby transport links, and the area's conservation and architectural character. The pub attracted national attention in January 2014 during a parliamentary debate concerning the Intellectual Property Bill. Jim Dowd, then Member of Parliament for Lewisham West and Penge, described asking for Worcester Sauce while dining at the pub and being served Henderson's Relish instead. In a subsequent House of Commons speech, he used the product as an example of what he regarded as a parasitic copy of Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce. The remarks prompted criticism and media attention, particularly from supporters of Henderson's Relish in Sheffield and South Yorkshire. The episode became known informally as “Hendogate.” The controversy was not an allegation against the pub's operations, but it placed Hare and Billet at the centre of a wider debate about regional food identity, intellectual property, and the distinction between similar condiments. The pub later noted that the publicity led some Sheffielders living in London to visit. Hare and Billet is owned by Metropolitan Pub Company.

Hare and Billet is a historic public house in Blackheath, London. The establishment stands on Hare & Billet Road, opposite Hare and Billet Pond and close to Greenwich Park. Blackheath historically formed part of an exposed route across the heath, and Watling Street, the Roman road toward Dover, crossed the area. During the eighteenth century, the route was associated with highwaymen and difficult travel, making a roadside inn useful to travellers and coach traffic. The pub is described as having traded since the seventeenth century. In the eighteenth century it operated as a coaching inn and was characterised as an isolated stopping place on Blackheath. Its history therefore belongs to the development of Britain's coaching network and to the broader tradition of public houses serving as accommodation, refreshment, and social venues for local residents and travellers. The surrounding location contributes substantially to the venue's identity. Hare and Billet Pond lies across the road and is regarded as one of the more natural-looking ponds on Blackheath, with notable wildlife value. The pub is also near Greenwich Park and Blackheath railway station, with Lewisham DLR and the A2 within the wider area. Local accounts and folklore associate Hare & Billet Road with the ghost of an eighteenth-century woman who is said to have hanged herself from an elm after her lover failed to meet her there. This story is part of the area's tradition rather than a documented corporate history of the pub. In the modern period, Hare and Billet has continued as a public house and hospitality business. Its contemporary identity is based on serving food and drink in a historic setting, rather than on a portfolio of branded products. The pub is owned by Metropolitan Pub Company. The venue received wider media attention on 20 January 2014. During a House of Commons debate on the Intellectual Property Bill, Jim Dowd, MP for Lewisham West and Penge, referred to an experience at Hare and Billet. After asking for Worcester Sauce with a meal, he was served Henderson's Relish, a condiment strongly associated with Sheffield and South Yorkshire. Dowd subsequently presented Henderson's as an example of alleged parasitic copying of Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce. The remarks prompted a backlash because Henderson's Relish has a substantial regional following and is regarded by many supporters as a distinct Sheffield product. The response included an open-letter rebuttal associated with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour MP Paul Blomfield, who represented Sheffield Central. Media coverage informally labelled the episode “Hendogate.” Hare and Billet itself became an incidental focal point in the dispute because the meal had taken place there. The pub reported that the publicity encouraged visits from Sheffielders living in London. The episode remains the most notable nationally reported event associated with the venue.

• 2014

  Hendogate media controversy

  [1]Hare and Billeten.wikipedia.org

  The pub was mentioned during a House of Commons debate after an MP criticised being served Henderson's Relish when he had requested Worcester Sauce.

• 1700

  Operates as a coaching inn

  [1]Hare and Billeten.wikipedia.org

  During the eighteenth century, Hare and Billet operated as an isolated coaching inn on the route across Blackheath.

• 1600

  Trading tradition begins

  [1]Hare and Billeten.wikipedia.org

  The establishment is reported to have been trading since the 1600s, although a precise opening year is not established.

A traditional London public house with a long-established coaching-inn heritage, positioned around local hospitality, historic character, and its Blackheath location.

• Hospitality

  Pub food and meals

  Food served in the setting of a traditional British public house. The 2014 controversy arose from a meal at the venue, during which the customer requested Worcester Sauce and was instead provided with Henderson's Relish.

• Hospitality

  Beer, beverages, and pub refreshments

  The pub's core commercial offering consists of drinks and refreshments associated with a British pub, served to local customers, visitors, and people using the venue as a destination near Blackheath and Greenwich Park.

• 2014

  Hendogate

  Hare and Billet became associated with a public dispute after MP Jim Dowd cited an experience at the pub in which Henderson's Relish was served instead of the Worcester Sauce he had requested. His description of Henderson's as a parasitic copy led to criticism from supporters of the Sheffield condiment and generated national media coverage.

  Source

Read more

1. 1Hare and Billeten.wikipedia.org