Ten Oldest Pubs in Sussex
The Travel Pages picks ten of the oldest pubs in Sussex, including inns in Rye, Alfriston, Hastings, Crawley and Ashurst.
Here’s a look at some of Sussex’s most historic pubs — timber‑framed, centuries‑old, and brimming with character. Wherever you are in Sussex, you’re not far from at least one of these historic inns.
Ten Oldest Pubs in Sussex
The Mermaid Inn, Rye
Built: Originally 1156 (rebuilt 1420)
This legendary inn in Rye exudes history—burnt and rebuilt in the early 15th century, with centuries of gossip woven into its stone and timber walls. Smuggling was a way of life here, with secret tunnels and safe rooms used by the Hawkhurst Gang, and marks left by fleeing Catholic priests during the Reformation still etched in its structure. A stay or a drink here is like stepping into a medieval thriller.
Address: Mermaid Street, Rye
Phone: (01797) 223065
Website: mermaidinn.com
The Olde Bell (Ye Olde Bell Inn), Rye
Built: 1390
A Grade II‑listed gem, The Olde Bell retains original oak beams, a charming terrace, and even a whisper of history via the wisteria planted roughly 80 years ago. Once connected to the Mermaid Inn by a smuggler’s tunnel, it became another haven for the infamous Hawkhurst Gang.
Address: 33 The Mint, Rye
Phone: (01797) 223323
Website: oldbellrye.co.uk
The George and Dragon, Houghton (near Arundel)
Built: 1276
One of Sussex’s oldest surviving inns, its origins stretch back to the 13th century. The pub claims that King Charles II paused here in 1651 while fleeing after the Battle of Worcester. Positioned magnificently overlooking the South Downs, it offers both breath‑taking views and a rich, rustic charm.
Address: Houghton, Arundel
Phone: (01798 ) 831559
Website: thegeorgeanddragonhoughton.co.uk
Hangleton Manor, Hove
Built: 16th century
The oldest secular building in Hove, Hangleton Manor is a Tudor treasure. Inside, the Ten Commandments are etched into the walls, and a historic dovecote graces the garden. Its stone walls and oak beams offer a tranquil retreat steeped in heritage.
Address: Hangleton Valley Drive, Hove
Phone: (01273) 413266
Website: thehangletonmanor.co.uk
The Cricketers, Brighton
Established: 1547
Brighton’s oldest pub, The Cricketers, is known for its connection to Jack the Ripper suspect Robert Donston Stephenson. The Greene Room upstairs is said to have hosted his sinister plans. Today, it’s a lively spot with Victorian charm and a Ripper-themed display.
Address: Black Lion Street, Brighton
Phone: (01273) 329472
Website: cricketersbrighton.co.uk
Ye Olde Smugglers Inne, Alfriston
Built: 1358
This historic village pub retains a labyrinth of character — inglenook fireplaces, oak beams, vaulted brick floors, and rumours of six staircases and hidden rooms. Smuggling gangs allegedly used it as a meeting place. Today, it’s a Grade II-listed favourite, a peaceful walled garden.
Address: Waterloo Square, Alfriston
Phone: (01323) 870241
Website: smugglers-alfriston.co.uk
The Stag Inn, Hastings
Built: 16th century (refronted 18th century)
Claimed as Hastings’ oldest surviving pub, this Grade II‑listed timber‑framed building is full of unusual atmosphere — including the mummified cats displayed as a supposedly protective measure against witchcraft. Its centuries‑old façade and Flemish charm are as intriguing as the legends it holds.
Address: 14 All Saints Street, Old Town, Hastings
Phone: (01424) 236747
Website: staghastings.co.uk
The Red Lion Inn, Shoreham‑by‑Sea
Built: 16th century or earlier
Housed in a former monastery cottage, this Grade II‑listed building is steeped in antiquity. It’s associated with a Victorian-era drinking tradition known as “The Bushel” on New Year’s Day. The building preserves architectural simplicity dating back centuries, embedding it firmly in Shoreham’s local heritage
Address: Old Shoreham Road, Old Shoreham, Shoreham‑by‑Sea
Phone: (01273) 454417
Website: facebook.com/RedLionShoreham
The Fountain Inn, Ashurst
Built: 16th century; Georgian alterations later
Once a farmhouse, this Grade II‑listed building became an inn in the Georgian era. It features an 18th‑century façade, sash windows, a Georgian porch, and a cosy interior with an inglenook fireplace. The inn also earned brief fame by featuring in Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” video shoot. (The singer used to live nearby).
Address: Off Horsham Road, Ashurst
Phone: (01403) 710219|
Website: fountainashurst.com
The Old Punch Bowl, Crawley
Built: Early 15th century
This medieval timber‑framed Wealden hall‑house on Crawley’s High Street is one of the town’s oldest buildings. Now operating as a pub, it retains impressive medieval architecture, with hall‑house design and exposed timbers. It fell into other uses over centuries—first a tearoom, then a bank, before returning to life as a pub in 1994.
Address: 101 High Street, Crawley
Phone: (01293) 529085
Website: greeneking.co.uk
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