Sussex tells its tales in the warm glow of pub firelight. Step into an old inn here and you’re stepping into centuries of lives lived... the footsteps of smugglers, merchants, monks, fishermen, travellers and villagers who shaped this coast‑and‑countryside county.
These pubs are more than places to pause. They’re chapters of Sussex’s story and they invite you in.
Here are some of the most atmospheric, story-rich pubs to explore in Sussex.
Historic Sussex Pubs to Discover
The Mermaid Inn, Rye
One of England’s most extraordinary historic inns.
The Mermaid Inn stands on 12th‑century cellars and was rebuilt in 1420 but its real draw is the layers of mystery within its walls. Secret priest holes, concealed staircases and uneven floors hint at its notorious connection to the Hawkhurst Gang, the powerful smugglers who once ruled Rye.
Today, its dimly lit bar, creaking floorboards and centuries‑old rooms feel like stepping straight into a medieval tale.
The Swan Inn, Fittleworth
A 14th‑century coaching inn that once served travellers crossing the woodlands and waterways around Petworth.
Horses were watered at The Swan, deals were made here, and generations of artists stayed to capture the landscapes nearby. Its beams are genuinely ancient, the fireplaces deep and welcoming, and the surrounding countryside, particularly the River Rother and Hesworth Common, adds a sense of timelessness. A classic slow‑Sussex pub stop - look out for the sign above the road.
The Red Lion, Hooe
Built in 1495, this seemingly quiet village pub has a rebellious past.
A hidden attic tobacco mill reveals its role in Sussex’s smuggling trade and it’s easy to picture candlelit meetings and midnight comings‑and‑goings long before the excise men arrived at The Red Lion.
Today it’s a cosy escape with rural charm, but if you sit quietly long enough, the stories feel close at hand.
The George at Burpham
A pub at the heart of Downland village life, The George is now community‑owned and full of character.
Seventeenth‑century timbers, chalk‑stone hills and long views across the Arun Valley give it an unmistakable sense of place. It’s the kind of inn where walkers stop without intending to, lured in by warm windows and the promise of a proper Sussex welcome.
The Crown, Hastings
Set in Hastings’ historic Old Town, The Crown (pictured) sits at the heart of a centuries‑old fishing community. Its setting, near to the famous black net huts ties it closely to the town’s maritime past. Inside, rustic textures and local artwork echo the character of this long‑standing working coastline. A lively modern pub rooted firmly in Hastings’ seafaring history.
The George Inn, Rye
Handsome, elegant and steeped in Rye’s past as a port and trading centre.
This 16th‑century coaching inn once welcomed merchants, travellers and sailors arriving from the harbour. Its thoughtful restoration has kept the history intact: fireplaces, polished wood, and the rhythm of an inn that has served Rye for centuries. The George Inn is the perfect pairing with the castle and cobbled lanes.
The Star, Alfriston
A 15th‑century inn on one of the South Downs’ most historic village streets.
Pilgrims once stayed at The Star while walking the old routes across the Downs and the sense of arrival remains. Large fireplaces, carved beams and a generous bar create an inviting pause for anyone exploring the Cuckmere Valley, the riverbanks or the chalk hills beyond.
The Castle Inn, Bramber
Set close to the ruins of Bramber Castle, the centuries‑old Castle Inn is woven into one of Sussex’s most important medieval villages.
Bramber was once a bustling river port, and the inn welcomed travellers, traders and pilgrims bound for the castle’s chapel. Inside, the timbered interior, winding layout and local artefacts tell the story of a village shaped by nobility, trade and the rise and fall of its fortress.
A brilliant stop after exploring the castle earthworks and the Adur valley.
The Gun Inn, Findon
A 17th‑century village pub with the ancient Cissbury Ring as its backdrop, and not far from the South Downs Way.
Generations of shepherds, traders and travellers have used Findon as a route across the Downs, and The Gun has long been a place of rest. Low beams, firelit nooks and a courtyard garden make it a welcome return point after exploring the prehistoric hillfort or the wooded tracks nearby.
The Jolly Sportsman, East Chiltington
A refined but deeply traditional Downland inn.
The Jolly Sportsman blends centuries of village‑pub atmosphere with a strong commitment to local produce, Sussex growers, brewers and farms. Tucked into rural lanes beneath the Downs, it offers quiet corners, flagstone floors and the rhythm of a proper countryside pub that hasn’t lost its identity.
The White Horse Inn, Sutton
A rustic, slow‑paced inn set in one of the oldest parishes in the South Downs.
The White Horse has that rare quality of feeling unchanged; timber beams, simple charm, and stories held in its walls from generations of village life. A rewarding stop after walking the lanes and hills that roll gently around Sutton.
