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The Fountain is a quintessential grade II listed village pub dating back to the 17th century. It has two bars plus a restaurant with flagstone flooring with exposed beams and an open fire.
The large garden features a restored cider press and the renovated barn doubles as a skittle alley and function room. The pub is popular as a classic car and bike rendezvous point. The building occupied by the present inn was one of several timber-framed, partly tile-hung farmhouses in the centre of the village, opposite the village pond. It became an inn under the sign of the Red Lion by 1788, and adopted the name Fountain Inn soon afterwards. In the early 19th century, the building was extended: an extra wing was added on the north side, perpendicular to the original structure, in brick. In contrast to the tiled roof of the older part, the newer wing had a slate roof. At the same time, the façade was altered from its original timber-framed appearance: the Georgian style, popular at the time, was adopted. Author Hilaire Belloc, who wrote extensively about Sussex in his fiction and non-fiction works, mentioned the Fountain Inn in his novel The Four Men: a Farrago; he wrote approvingly about the ale. In 1979, the pub was used to film part of the video for Wonderful Christmastime, Paul McCartney's Christmas song with his band Wings. Actor Sir Laurence Olivier lived just south of Ashurst, and the Fountain Inn was his local pub. The Fountain Inn was listed at Grade II by English Heritage on 9 May 1980; this defines it as a "nationally important" building of "special interest".
Part 17th century or earlier timber-framed and part 19th century painted brick (front part) building. Bare wood floor passage from the front door with half-timbering on the left wall and an old door to the servery with a shelf. The partition wall on the right is old but dado panelling is modern. Doorway in the partition wall to the front bar on the right which has a flagstone floor, brick inglenook fireplace, and a few panels of c1930s panelling (the rest has been stripped away to expose bare brick). Timber beams in the ceiling are too symmetrical to be of any age and feel like a 1960s addition. They are replicated in the front room opposite the passageway.
The centrally placed servery was created in the late 1960s but the bar counter front panels may be added to older panelling. There Service is via two hatches, the first being an old door with a shelf on it and the other a wide hatch/counter is post war. A dining room on the left has been brought into use and the room to the rear was originally the kitchen but has been transformed into an 'olde worlde' room with old timbers etc. Note the ‘5’ on the cellar door.
Part 17th century or earlier timber-framed and part 19th century painted brick (front part) building. Bare wood floor passage from the front door with half-timbering on the left wall and an old door to the servery with a shelf. The partition wall on the right is old but dado panelling is modern. Doorway in the partition wall to the front bar on the right which has a flagstone floor, brick inglenook fireplace, and a few panels of c1930s panelling (the rest has been stripped away to expose bare brick). Timber beams in the ceiling are too symmetrical to be of any age and feel like a 1960s addition. They are replicated in the front room opposite the passageway.
The centrally placed servery was created in the late 1960s but the bar counter front panels may be added to older panelling. There Service is via two hatches, the first being an old door with a shelf on it and the other a wide hatch/counter is post war. A dining room on the left has been brought into use and the room to the rear was originally the kitchen but has been transformed into an 'olde worlde' room with old timbers etc. Note the ‘5’ on the cellar door.
This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 1 regular beer.
Fountain Inn, Ashurst
Source: Local
Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals
Garden
Family Friendly
Parking
Dog Friendly
Function Room
Games
Real Fire
Restaurant
Wi Fi
Real Ale
LocAle
Quiet
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