New Inn, Hadlow Down

Following years of uncertainty with the land behind the pub being sold for development there is now a positive situation for the future of the public bar and the tiny snug for which the pub is included here. In March 2012 Wealden Council granted planning permission to extend and refurbish the New Inn. However, these plans were not carried out except that the left/hotel side of the property, which had been disused for many years, has been refurbished and is now used for functions, wakes, christenings, meetings etc. The pub continues to trade as a drinkers pub.

This red-brick hotel-cum-pub built in 1885 for the South Down & East Grinstead Brewery retains its plan-form and fittings virtually intact. The central entrance has 'Hotel Entrance' etched glass in the doors. On the right under a projecting brick canopy which rises to a crow-stepped gable with central pinnacle are a pair of doors leading to the public bar with one remaining 'Public Bar' etched panel. The locals are interested in replacing the other panel which was accidentally broken in recent years.

On the inside of the door note the ceramic button with the figure '1' above the inside of the front doors - a requirement of licensing magistrates. The pub part is small with a long public bar fronting the main street (there was probably a screen dividing it originally) and an elliptical arch rests on fluted console brackets halfway down the length of the room. There is also a small room behind. Recently both have been tidied and repainted but no other changes made.

The spartan public bar fittings are much as they were in Victorian times with a wood-block floor, a long Victorian panelled counter with the front painted cream, original bar back fitting with three large cash drawers (note two slots for notes) and four ceramic spirit barrels (note ‘I Whisky’ from the days before the fad of inserting an ‘e’ to distinguish the Irish from the Scottish variety). The bar back fitting has been thoroughly rubbed down. There are two sections of wall bench seating attached to matchboard dado panelling and a small early 20th century tiled fireplace with decoration on the wood surround and with a log fire. There is a piano which is still played occasionally.

At the rear right is the snug, a small room which now has a carpet, the matchboard dado panels have been painted white and service is via the original split doors with a hatch/shelf to the back of the bar. The fireplace has been removed from the room but it will be re-instated. The jukebox is no longer in use – this is a pub with no modern features such as TV, radio, pool etc. and the only food is local good value pork pies, pickled eggs, crisps etc. – good conversation and good beer is the attraction here! This is a pub that still puts bites on the bar on a Sunday lunchtime – roast potatoes and roast parsnips cooked on the premises!

On the front left side of the building are twin currently out of use doors with ‘Hotel Entrance’ etched panels which lead into a corridor and off to the left is the former dining room with further matchboard panelling and an ornate cast-iron fireplace. The left hand room has been re-decorated and is in use for functions at present. For service customers are served in the corridor through the lower pane of the sash-windowed hatch situated on the left of the servery which can be raised but otherwise is closed.

The pub still retains its outside gents’ and ladies’. The pub opens at 6pm Mon to Fri; 12 noon Sat, Sun and bank holidays.