The Swan (also known as the White Swan) opened in 1833. This pub was located on the south eastern side of Emsworth Square, but it is no longer there. It was identified by a sign of a White Swan that can be seen in the middle background of the painting above, and was described as a …
Author archives: Andrew Kerry-Bedell
The Black Dog
The popular Black Dog public house was opened in 1711. Emsworth has always had a close and friendly community, perhaps because of its location on the coast or maybe because of its annual village fair. The Black Dog pub was a key part of the community and, in 1763, the Emsworth Friendly Society was established …
Methodist Church
The church and partner buildings on the West side of the High Street has had an interesting history. Primitive Methodists created ‘Missions’ in places where people were interested in becoming members. In 1812 The Primitive Methodists broke away from the Methodist Church, which had itself become a denomination separate from the Church of England in …
International Stores
The International Stores opened in 1901 and were a key feature of Emsworth Square The building that was home to the International Stores was described in Kelly’s trade directory in 1835 as an International Tea Company and was listed in 1838 as being occupied by Joseph Lane, a merchant. It opened as International Stores between …
Crown Hotel
This famous Emsworth Inn dates right back to the 16th Century. The Crown is Grade II listed and is the earliest known inn in Emsworth, opening as the Three Crowns Country Inn prior to 1665. In 1724 it had expanded with a stable for coaching horses, its own brewhouse and an alehouse adjoining it. The …
Cross Kitchen
This famous Emsworth landmark actually started its life as a church. In the 18th century most Emsworth residents went to church but, with a growing population, there wasn’t much room and only the rich could afford to buy or rent their own church pew. If you were poorer you weren’t allowed in these pews, so …
Westbourne Scouts
The 1st Westbourne Scout Group is one of the oldest in Sussex, having been founded just after the first World War. Did you know? Astronaut Tim Peake works for the European Space Agency. He was brought up in Westbourne and was also a Scout here! In 1920 Westbourne Scout Group had 16 Scouts, but within …
St John the Baptist
As you cross the gentle River Ems into West Sussex and Westbourne, the first building you see is the church of St John the Baptist, which dates from at least the early 13th century. Other evidence also suggests that a church could have been on this site as early as the 11th century. When a …
Westbourne Workhouse
Westbourne workhouse Westbourne’s workhouse opened in 1835 at Commonside, in the north of the village, on the site of what is today a small housing development called Union Yard. It replaced the original Poor House, which was opened in 1773 and enlarged in 1818. Did you know? The Westbourne workhouse survived all through WW1 and …
The Lamb Inn
The Lamb was an inn and hotel on the site of cottages leading to East Street from the junction of North Street and The Square. It once boasted a paddock garden, stables, shop, cottage, an outbuilding and a sizable ballroom that was often used for grand occasions in the early 19th century. Inquests and property …