Pub Heritage Dewdrop Inn
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East Sussex - Peacehaven
Two star - A pub interior of outstanding national historic interest
Listed Status: Not listed
19 Steyning AvenuePeacehaven
BN10 8HN
Originally built as a tearoom and shop in 1924 this became a pub in 1928. It has a small public bar with its original counter, back fitting with a bevelled mirror central panel, dado panelling and a section of fixed seating. It also has a typical 1960s tiled fireplace. There was a small room, possibly the off-sales shop, on the Steyning Road side. The whole ensemble comes with a period display of old plates on a high shelf, old implements, firearms and a display of model toys. Note the inglenook fireplace. The gents’ is fitted with 1960s green tiles, some with flower motifs, whilst the ladies’ is identical except for being pink. It’s been run by the owners for 50 years: they took over the pub four days after getting married and have been there ever since.
Built 1924 as a tearoom and shop selling cigarettes, sweets, minerals and teas, it obtained a licence in 1928. It is of half-timbered Tudor style and was owned by Rock Brewery of Brighton, which was were taken over by Portsmouth United Breweries in 1928 who then became Portsmouth and Brighton United Breweries. It was much altered in 1968 and remains an interesting mixture of 1920s and 1960s work, complete with original Crittall metal windows. The pub is in a 1968 time warp as that was the date the present licensee took over.
The L-shaped lounge was originally three small rooms and has imitation Tudor timbering on the walls. One area, near the toilets, is served from a hatch still retaining its glazed top half door. There is a classic 1920s inglenook fireplace here with fitted seating both sides. The main central section of the lounge has the servery consisting of rounded counter from 1968 with leatherette padded panels and a Formica top; the bar-back fitting with barley twist columns is also from 1968. The third section retains its original dado panelling and a section of fixed seating but has lost its fireplace.
The small public bar retains its 1924 bar counter, bar-back fitting with a bevelled mirror central panel, dado panelling and one section of fixed seating. It has a typical 1960s tiled fireplace and lino floor. There was a small room, originally a shop, on the Steyning Road side. The whole ensemble comes with period display of old plates on a high shelf, old implements/firearms plus a display of model toys. The gents' is fitted with 1960s green tiles, some with flower motifs, whilst the ladies' is identical except for being pink.
Full Description
The L-shaped lounge was originally three small rooms and has imitation Tudor timbering on the walls. One area, near the toilets, is served from a hatch still retaining its glazed top half door. There is a classic 1920s inglenook fireplace here with fitted seating both sides. The main central section of the lounge has the servery consisting of rounded counter from 1968 with leatherette padded panels and a Formica top; the bar-back fitting with barley twist columns is also from 1968. The third section retains its original dado panelling and a section of fixed seating but has lost its fireplace.
The small public bar retains its 1924 bar counter, bar-back fitting with a bevelled mirror central panel, dado panelling and one section of fixed seating. It has a typical 1960s tiled fireplace and lino floor. There was a small room, originally a shop, on the Steyning Road side. The whole ensemble comes with period display of old plates on a high shelf, old implements/firearms plus a display of model toys. The gents' is fitted with 1960s green tiles, some with flower motifs, whilst the ladies' is identical except for being pink.
