Pub Heritage Selsey Arms
Pub Heritage Group have recently carried out a regrading of Real Heritage Pubs - click here for full details
West Sussex - Coolham
One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest
Listed Status: Not listed
Cowfold Road, CoolhamCoolham
RH13 8QJ
OS ref: TQ121228
Tel: (01403) 741537
Website http://www.theselseyarms.co.uk
Real Ale: Yes
Lunchtime Meals: Yes
Evening Meals: Yes
Public Transport: Near Bus Stop
Bus: Yes
View on: Whatpub
This pub retains a now opened-out three-room layout, the last major changes having been made back in the 1950s. In the middle is the main bar with a bare wood floor, a (possibly) 1950s counter with matchboarded front. There is a small 1930s brick fireplace and wall benches on three sides near the window. A gap formed by partial wall removal accesses the room on the right which is down a step and has a large inglenook fireplace. Behind the TV is an old wheel in which a dog would turn the spit in the inglenook, by way of a connecting pulley! The counter here is of a style seen in the 1950s and the bench seating is similar. Note the wheel with ten segments mounted on the ceiling for playing ‘twister’, a game of chance, far removed from its more popular location in East Anglia. There is a large gap to the left-hand room which has a 1930s-style brick fireplace and is now the restaurant area with modern tables and chairs installed in 2018. This room has a collection of memorabilia about the Polish airmen stationed at the nearby airfield during World War II.
Last major changes made in the 1950s and retains a now opened out three room layout. In the middle is the main bar with a bare wood floor, a c1950s counter with match-board front, with a distinct slope down towards the servery/staff. The bar back fitting is of shelving on a dado of tongue and groove with spindlewood columns. There is also a small 1930s brick fireplace and wall benches on three sides near the window. A gap and part wall removed to the room on the right which is down a step and has a large inglenook fireplace. Behind the TV is an old wood turning wheel in which a dog would turn the spit in the inglenook, by way of a connecting pulley! The counter here is of a style seen in the 1950s, more wall bench seating possibly c50s. Note the twister (spinning wheel) on the ceiling - these are normally only seen in Norfolk! Large gap to the left room which has a brick fireplace of c1930s and is now the restaurant area with modern style tables and chairs fitted out in 2018 - note the memorabilia of when Polish airmen were stationed nearby in WWII (photos, uniform etc). The seating in the central section is the oldest fitting.
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