Historic Pub in Tunbridge Wells
Despite now being in Kent, The Sussex is so called because it once stood on the border between the two counties. With the pub in two counties, it became a favourite haunt of criminals owing to the fact they could escape the relevant county’s bailiffs simply by walking to the other side of the pub.
There is a saying amongst publicans that you never really own a pub; you just look after it for a time.
The Sussex was built in the 17th century and, as such, is nearly as old as Tunbridge Wells itself. As long as our stewardship is (15 years and counting) – you can never compete with centuries of history and lore.
We were once reminded of this lesson when the Spectator name-checked the Sussex on the topic in an article titled, ‘There’s nothing so sad as a bad pub revamp’.
The refurb the article referenced was not under our watch but that of a national brewery in the late 80s, that made the classic mistake of trying to fix something that wasn’t broken. Unsurprisingly the refurb was managed by a property developer, who swizzed the pub’s landlord out of his lease and then attempted to monetise the atmosphere and character he was the central component of.
Legendary Pub Landlord
So beloved was the landlord and so sacrilegious was the refurb that people still come in to remonstrate about it – nearly forty years after the event (and before the staff were born). Indeed, the article was widely shared on social media and there was some lively debate as to how the pub in its current form compared with that of the 70s and 80s.
Perhaps the biggest factor in this is the legendary landlord, Denis Lane, who ran the pub in the 70s and 80s. Dennis (pictured below) was as fat as he was tall and famously rude to his customers.
Denis’ tenure was before our time – although, we were well briefed thanks to the late, great Ian Dormon – dad of current owner Jason and our emeritus professor of all things beer and pub. Ian owned the Royal Tunbridge Wells Brewing Co. and, as such, was both a pub customer and supplier to Dennis.
The Most Infamous Pub in Tunbridge Wells and Beyond
Ian described the pub’s eccentric landlord and décor, including a huge chamber pot collection hanging from the ceiling and an initiation ritual of drinking a large quantity of ale from one of them.
The ‘potty’ collection was subject to another national press story: ‘I shipped my local to Oz.’ Following this, we were, for a time, in touch with the Fox and Hounds landlord. We even tried to arrange a simultaneous pub quiz, though ultimately, this proved impossible due to the 12-hour time difference.
All this is what makes the Sussex Arms the most infamous pub in Tunbridge Wells and beyond. We are very proud of that fact. We’re proud of its rich history and would never attempt to recreate it. Our take from this is the importance of a pub’s character.
Our Pub Today: A New Chapter
We took over the Sussex in 2008, two years after opening the Ragged Trousers a couple of minutes away. The pub had become something of a haven for the Ragged staff – close by and quiet. Very quiet. It was on its last legs, operated by a brewery holding manager who convinced us to take the lease.
We were attracted by the pub’s history and charm, which Ian’s stories brought to life for us – and excited by its separate basement bar, in which we saw the potential for a smaller music venue to run alongside the Forum.
In playing to our strengths of music and beer, we hope we have kept the pub’s eccentricity alive and written another chapter in its continuing history.
Steeped in lore and legend and loved by locals as well as visitors, today, the Sussex Arms is a lively, traditional pub hosting artists and musicians from Tunbridge Wells and beyond.
The Sussex Pub Facts
One of The Oldest Pubs in Tunbridge Wells
The Sussex is almost as old as Tunbridge Wells itself, built in the 17th century to serve the coachmen and servants of the gentry visiting the Pantiles. Hence, it is tucked away out of sight of the Walks, accessible via Coach and Horses passage.
The Pub Bordering Two Counties
Despite now being in Kent, The Sussex is so called because it once stood on the border between the two counties. With the pub in two counties, it became a favourite haunt of criminals owing to the fact they could escape the relevant county’s bailiffs simply by walking to the other side of the pub.
The river Grom (as in Groombridge) demarcated the old border. The river is now piped underground but occasionally pops up in our basement during very wet weather.
Once Known as the Shades
The Sussex Arms was formerly known as the Sussex Shades – or simply the Shades. A “shades” pub sits next to and is overshadowed by a larger building. In this case, the Sussex Hotel, which once stood in what is now the Tunbridge Wells Corn Exchange. Read our blog to find out more about British pub names.
One of the UK’s First Pubs to Sell Stella Artois
Despite the fact the Sussex under Denis Lane was a locals’ local, Denis was by all accounts quite ahead of the game when it came to what he stocked. The Sussex became one of the UK’s first pubs to sell Stella Artois and other continental lagers.
The Pub Landlord Who Inspired a Song
Denis Lane’s ‘rustic charm’ was the subject of punk band Anti-Nowhere League’s song ‘Landlord is a Wanker.’
A Pub for Musicians
The League weren’t the only musicians to frequent the Sussex. Other famous musician regulars included Shane McGowan, Jeff Beck, and Mitch Mitchell.