History

Welcome to The Smugglers Inn

Located in the Cinque Port of Pevensey, The Smugglers Inn dates right back to 1527 while Henry VIII was still with Wife No 1.

The area is steeped in history, the Romans built a fort to keep the Saxons at bay and later William the Conquerer gave the fortifications a makeover when he stopped by in 1066. Just for good measure he added a church in 1080, so this was possibly the very first Norman Church in the country.

Both the castle and the church are within walking distance of the Smugglers Inn and we all share our space with some interesting characters from the past. We have a young lady ghost who has been known to be quite Mischievous but she only seems to favour one end of the pub and she’s not allowed in the bar or restaurant, unless we get really busy and need a hand !!!. Apparently she lived here at the pub some 200 years ago and committed suicide; we haven’t yet got to the root of what made her so unhappy. We’d rather like a name for her any good ideas?

The pub gained its current name in the 18th century when it become a focal point for the Groombridge Gang smuggling tea in through Pevensey Bay and secreting it in Ashdown Forest before transporting it to London. Tea had become subjected to ridiculous duties and gangs along the Sussex and Kent coasts made a good living for some years until the duty on tea was reduced in 1784.They continued smuggling spirits and tobacco until the coastguard took over policing the bay and a number of violent events came to a head at Pevensey Sluice in 1833.

So we may not have any live smugglers any more but the surrounding area is still well worth visiting and using the Smugglers for a food and drink break.

The pub provides a warm and friendly atmosphere in its oak beamed bar and restaurant with open fires in both, essential when there’s a nautical nip in the air.

The restaurant is available for private hire, for all occasions and we do also welcome coach parties with advance notice.

For the warmer days we have a large garden area with children’s play area where they can pretend they are smugglers, or at least wear themselves out for you.

We have a large car park and conveniently placed for local campsite and holiday parks.

We do have a darts team who play on a Friday night, we also support local bands on some Saturday nights, please see the entertainment page for more details. On Thursday evenings we have a jam session – not the strawberry making kind - but you budding musicians out there are welcome to come along.