The John's Cross Inn - Traditional Sussex Country Pub

BATTLE ROAD, ROBERTSBRIDGE, EAST SUSSEX, TN32 5JH

History

The Inn was built in 1511 in the hamlet of John’s Cross, so named because it was a marshalling point for Crusaders under the banner of John the Baptist, whose emblem is incorporated in the Inn’s sign.

The earliest recorded occupant was one Edmund Spicer in 1562. Sometime following this period ale was brewed on the premises and, in July 1694, the property was signed over to William Piper, a beer retailer of the parish of Battle.

Contact Us

Battle Road,
Robertsbridge,
East Sussex
TN32 5JH
Tel: 01580 882154

E-mail: daveandjude@johnscrossinn.com

In 1792, the Inn was extended to incorporate the dining room. During the Napoleonic Wars it was used as a recruiting office and later during those same wars the widows and orphans of the parish were given shelter at the Inn. For many years it was used as a Customs & Excise office and a collection point for the mail coaches.

On the 12th August 1906, the Inn was visited by Robert Tressell (Noonan), author of ‘The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists’ and was used as the location for ‘the beano’ described in his book.

In more recent times, the adjoining ‘studio’ has been used as an extra classroom for the local school and, in September 1939, as a distribution point for evacuated children from London.