Horsham is the natural capital of the western end of Sussex’s forest ridge, its significance and development dating from the medieval period when it became an important market centre and home to the county assizes. Horsham also became a very significant brewing town, being the home of King & Barnes. Although the family firm, closed in 2000, the legacy continues to be reflected in the town’s drinking culture today and with the opening of a number of small breweries in the town and surrounding area in recent years.

In Horsham Pubs David Muggleton guides us through this high Wealden town to visit its fascinating and varied hostelries, many of which have retained features and traditions of previous ages. The originally expanded around The Carfax, in which stands the eighteenth-century Crown Inn. The Bishopric is another ancient street and home to the Kings Arms, known by 1667, and the probably even older Olive Branch, originally the Green Dragon and timber-framed with wattle and daub panels. Other pubs include the Brewhouse & Kitchen recently opened in the former Horse & Groom pub; the Malt Shovel, formerly the Michell Arms after one of the town’s former brewers and rebuilt in 1939; and the Anchor Tap, once appurtenant to the Anchor Hotel and reopened as a pub in 2016 – the local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale was founded here in 1975. Our tour also takes us out of the town centre to the Foresters Arms, a genuine community pub for a residential area; the Boars Head, a country farmhouse that became the Fox & Hounds until being renamed in 1971; and the new Chapeau Brewery taproom located on an industrial estate. This carefully crafted guide will initiate readers into the fascinating history of Horsham’s pubs.