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 …
Tag archives: Leisure
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 …
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 …
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 …
Thorney Island
Thorney Island peninsula juts into Chichester Harbour and is separated from the mainland by a narrow channel called Great Deep. West Thorney village is on the island’s East coast and Thorney Island south of Great Deep has been a military base since 1938, when an RAF airfield was built as a fighter station for Coastal …
Chidmere House
Chidmere House in Chidham Lane is a Grade II listed building and is the most southerly historic building in the parish. The house also features a large garden and Chidmere Pond to the South. The core of the main house is undoubtedly of 16th century origin with alterations in the 1930s. It was the home …
South Street Car Park
The tall building and chimney belonged to the Kinnell and Hartley Brewery on a site that first made beer in Emsworth in 1794. They even brewed Guinness. The Kinnell and Hartley brewery ran from 1903 to 1928 and owned 26 public houses from Nutbourne to Gosport. Below is an aerial shot of Emsworth with the …
Blue Bell Inn
The original Blue Bell Inn can be seen on the right of the picture above. Originally known as The Brewery Tap, it was owned by a Mr Hipkin who also owned and ran the brewery at the rear of the pub, located in what is now Emsworth’s public car park. Mrs Wells the publican at …