No 19. Pub Signs

Former sign for the Blue Bell pub in South Street, Emsworth

Pub Sign from the former Royal Oak opened in 1830, now a private house

Sign from the former Seagull Pub in North Street

Date: 20th Century

Why is it important: There has been a steady decline in the number of public houses in Emsworth, much of it from the 20th century onwards.

Emsworth’s current complement of pubs includes The King’s Arms, The Crown Inn, The Ship Inn, The Coal Exchange, The Blue Bell, The Lord Raglan, and the Sussex Brewery. In the past, however, there were many more: Black Dog, Town Brewery, The Sloop, Saffron Brewery, Dolphin, Royal Sovereign, Royal Oak, Great Eastern, White Hart, Anchor, Railway Inn, Seagull, Little Green, and Milkman’s Arms. Many of them closed in this century.

Learn about the Pubs of Emsworth on the Swing Boards display on the north wall of the main hall and see some the old pub signs hanging from the ceiling.