Horns Lodge | South Street, South Chailey, East Sussex | Proprietors: Linda & Mike

The Horns Lodge History.

The 'HORNS LODGE' is a traditional historic rural English public house, which has been in this location for about 200 years. The inn was one of a string of coaching inns on the London to Brighton postal service route. A horn was carried on each coach which was sounded to herald the arrival of the post. Hence the name , 'HORNS LODGE'.

The Horns Lodge, would appear to be relatively modern, being first recorded in 1713 as an Ale House adjoining two cottages. However it is thought to be about fifty years older than this date. The old map (left) dates back to 1879. The Pub can be clearly seen. From what can be deduced the “Old Road” Green Lane used to be the main road through the village. However there is a very large band of Sussex clay that runs across what was called South Common.

In 1703 a Mr Norman set up a business in South Common to manufacture bricks, the manufacture of which continued through two centuries until the mid 1900's. However as time went by it was realised that the “old road” was in the way, so the “new road” South Street was constructed. The date of the "new road" is unclear, however it is thought to be around 1745 -1800.

You can also see from the map that the Brickworks have now taken away the course of the “old road”. This is now a dead end, except for a back access to the brickworks.

The back of the Horns Lodge today was in fact the front. When the "new road" now called South Street, came into being, the front to back switch of the Horns Lodge occurred.

If you look closely at the map where the Horns Lodge is indicated, you find the original boundary to the property.

The Horns Lodge was constructed as two cottages and an ale house, all served by a water well in between the ale house and the middle cottage. There were stables and out buildings, which encircled an old orchard, and continued onto the access to the “old road.”

At a time not really established, a postal route by stage coach was set up from London to Brighton. The ale house became a "POST" horse changing stop, using the outbuildings as stabling to rest and change the horses. Due to this, the public house became known as the Horns Lodge, with reference to the Post Horn that the coaches used.

There was another pub on Green Lane but not a lot is known of this. However it did not have the facility to change horses. As time went by the stage coach system was phased out and the steam railways took over the links from London to Brighton.

At a time unknown, The Horns Lodge became the property of Page & Overton’s Brewery from Croydon. The brewery went out of business in 1954. The public house was then taken over by Charringtons (Kemptown Brewery) of Brighton, selling Toby Ales. Later to become Bass Charrington. The brand Toby Ales also re produced the now famous Toby Jug as an advertising gimmick, though it was around long before the brewery used the name.

The public house part of the building as it is viewed in the picture left, was only half the building. The other half split into two cottages (the two doors to the right). These were let by the publican who in turn leased the total estate. In addition to the two cottages there was a detached cottage set back to the left of the pub. This too was rented out to tenants.

Our opening hours are :
Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat 11.30 - 2.30 and 6.00 - 11.00
Sunday 12.00 - 3.00 and 6.00 - 10.30, Closed Tuesday

Conveniently positioned on the A275, the Horns Lodge is close to the towns of Lewes, Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath, see our contact page for directions

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