Built in 1741 as the Rose & Crown, it later became the Coach & Horses in 1763. A coach house was added in 1785.

By adding a purpose-built coach house, it changed from a pub to a coaching inn, becoming a staging post along the main Arundel coaching route. We have to bear in mind that horses need to be rested every 15 to 20 miles, hence many journeys were done in 'stages'.

As with all inns at the time, they had to provide food and a bed for the night if required, plus stabling for the horses. It was the Travelodge/Premier Inn of its day.

Although classed as Clapham, it borders Worthing close enough to be included.

Barbara Barnes was the landlady from 1984 to 1992 and the wife of Terry Spinx, who was a boxing Flyweight Gold-Medallist in the 1956 Olympics. Barbara recalls the property was built with wattle and daub, a mixture of mud, dung and straw, forming a crude plaster covering. There were two tiny rooms in the loft accessed by a tiny narrow staircase.

Out back, there was a barn for the horses and a bunk room for the coachmen above part of the building accessed from the rear yard. The barn was damaged in the storm of 1987 but was quickly attended to, being a listed property. Sadly, the original front door with its bottle glass windows was replaced as it became impossible to repair. Right: Terry Spinx.

Today, the pub has moved with the times but retained its old world charms. Set back from the main building is a 'coach house' style structure pictured below, providing accommodation that blends in well with its surroundings.

 Time Line

(?) - Thomas Green
1921 - 1925 William Henry Kirk
1925 - 1961 George Wainwright (To retirement)
Also brother-In-Law of WH Kirk above
1984 - 1992 Terry & Barbara Spinx