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Book review - The Inns
of Lewes
Did you know that there used to be a pub called The Stag on
North Street which was destroyed by bombs and fire during
a German air-raid in 1943? Did you know that the entrance
to Albion Street used to be a pub known as The Turk’s
Head, which was pulled down to allow for the development of
the new street? Are you aware that Stuart-era commuters to
London had to start their journey at the White Hart? There
were two stagecoaches a day, leaving a 6am, and returning
from Charing Cross a day later. The Friends of Lewes’
new booklet ‘The Inns of Lewes past and present’
has just come out, and is on sale in the Tourist Office. It’s
a fascinating read, originally published in 1977 by LS Davey
and revised by local CAMRA man Andrew Whitnall.
There have, according to the book, been over 90 pubs, inns
and hostelries in town, of which 21 are currently trading.
Along the years we’ve lost The Cleopatra, The Manxman,
the Welcome Stranger, The Crimean Tavern, The Spread Eagle,
The Fruiterers, The Morning Star (once in the premises of
Bow Street Bookshop) and The Jolly Friars, to name but a few
of the more colourfully named. The author of the book has
searched the archives for references to pubs, and it’s
the historical attention to detail which makes the book so
interesting. The Lewes Arms, for example, was once known as
The Brack Mount and was famous for the riotous behaviour of
its customers. AL |
