Dating the Gun Inn is difficult; some say it goes back to the 1400s, others to the 1600s. We do know it's a timber-framed building, as mentioned in their own history page on site, and may have been a medieval Hall House. A link to that page is here, which has proved very helpful in our research.

The site also mentions that there was a gunsmith on the premises, which at that time would have been muskets, and is believed to be the legacy of its name. The plaque on the east wall depicts a musket, whilst the more modern sign shows two crossed rifles from a newer era.
 

Here, you can see the much older right-hand side of the building, notably the low windows on the ground floor, which provide better accommodation upstairs. The rear would have contained stabling, a requirement for any building in its day for travellers to overnight if needed.

Findon itself was on the main coaching route on what was to become the Worthing road. One of the first printed mentions we found was a coaching timetable published in 1815. The left-hand side building is thought to have been added in the 1800s. The gates to the garden just beyond feature the letter 'G' the surname of Mr A Goatcher, landlord in around 1905, although there was a William Goater (as spelt) in 1867 but unlikely.

Two large murals depicting WWII were painted on the walls in what was then called the Gun Pit.

They were painted by Ferring artist, Trevor Best (seated right), with landlord Alan Wyatt.

It took Mr Best 26 hours to complete the murals, which he designed. Both pictures show guns along with their crew. One being a M XVII Howitzer and the other, an 18 Pounder. They are set in Flanders, Belgium.

These were covered up by later landlords.

This is Bernadette 'Benny' Smith, who can drink a pint in just over 4 seconds. Bernadette, a mother of two, was taking on 12 men in a beer drinking challenge at the Gun Inn, Findon, in aid of charity, of course.

Mrs Smith says she took up speed drinking after being caught in the 'Last one to down a pint pays' friends challenge.

Apparently, she won and was awarded the Josh Gifford Trophy, which was appropriately a silver tankard. The story of her success was published in the Daily Mirror on August 13, 1966.

Norman Sampson (manager) had been planning to make improvements to the pub for the past five years.

'Mr Simpson said, 'Even though the lounge bar will be made much bigger, the atmosphere won't be changed'. The same ancient beams that have held up the ceiling for centuries will still support them as will the antique prints and pump handles that decorate the bars.

Apparently the original fire insurance relic of 1797 will also remain. It would appear that the cellars also have original oak beams.

 

December 1996 and the Sounthdown News newspaper broke the news to many that the Gunn Inn was to be sold for development. Whitbread, the owners confirmed that they had been approached wit an unsolicited offer.

A 'save the gun' campaign was started, noting it was a grade II listed building and possibly the oldest in the village and any structural changes would damage the building.

Thankfully the pub remains. We don't know exactly how this was archived but we're grateful for it.

Time Line

A little bit more

1619 - Thomas Lasseter - "The Muskett Gunn"
1693 - William Lasseter
1797 - recorded as insured by Sun Fire Office
1797 - William French
1799 - Inn, shop and post Office
1800 - Auction held at Gun Inn
1815 - Mention on coaching timetable
1867 - Licence from Mrs Moodie to William Goater
1889 - G Mayhew
1905 - A Goatcher (as spelt)
1913 - George Thorne
1913 - Dining room added
1913 - Restoration work on front exposed beams
1923 - Frank Richard Sandell
1926 - Andrew Bryce
1939 - Ernest Rowley
1947 - Albery William Hunt from Alice Rowley (widow)
1953 - Peter Davis Hatchwell
1954 - Structural changes to building approved
1957 - 1969 Alan & Pam Wyatt
1970 John Asher (manager)
1977 - 1979 Norman Sampson (manager)
1994 - Ian & Valerie
1996 - Michael & Jane Lewis (managers)
1999 - 2004 Nick Georgiou Landlord
1999 - Richard Foster (manager)
1999 - Refurbishment
2010 - Sally Harris

 

1965: A mynah bird named 'Wakey' has taken up permanent residence in the saloon bar. He is about 9 months old and can say several words and bark like a dog, that was until a visit from a group from Pulborough made a special visit to see him; he didn't utter a word.

1966: A Gun Inn team managed to smash a piano in five minutes and 11 seconds. Another contest was being arranged and they are looking for 19 pianos.

1997: The council accepted a tender of £2, 322 to convert a building behind the Gun Inn into a public convenience.

1999: The two murals were rediscovered by workmen. It was the first time they had seen the light of day since the 1970 when they were wallpapered over in what was to become the pool room.

2010: Sally Harris took over the Gun Inn in 2010, having never pulled a pint, and managed to win Pub of the Year in 2022.