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Our History
Dating back to about
1585 this lovely old pub with it’s low beams
and inglenook fireplace has a wealth of history.
During the 18th Century the Crown became the headquarters
of the Groombridge Gang, ruthless smugglers who terrorised
the country between the village and the South coast
led by Robert Moreton and John Bowra. Using pack ponies
they smuggled tea from Pevensey beaches and hid it
in secret passages between the cellar and Groombridge
Place. After many skirmishes with the Militia they
were brought to justice in 1749. John Bowra was released
and is said to have built a house in the village and
become a cartographer.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, celebrated creator of the
detective Sherlock Holmes, lived at Crowborough and
was a frequent visitor to Groombridge Place in the
late 19th century
taking part in séances which were popular at the
time. He based his book Valley of Fear on
Groombridge Place and reported seeing the
ghost of Dave Fletcher standing in the doorway of
the cottage on the moat. According to Conan Doyle
the ghost appeared behind him and his friends as they
walked and told them that he had drowned in the moat
in 1808. People still report seeing Dave Fletcher
today. He was also known to visit the Crown for a
tipple.
In 2005 the Crown was a favourite haunt of Keira Knightley and the cast of Pride and Prejudice during filming at Groombridge Place.
In 2006 Hayley Westerner classic singer stayed here while filming for her latest CD.
In 2009 Jamie Oliver the famous Chef and TV personality voted the crown one of the Top 100 Pubs in the UK.
The Crown Inn Groombridge,
Nr Tunbridge Wells,
Kent,
TN3 9QH - 01892 864742
Copyright © MMIX Crown Inn Groombridge. All Rights Reserved.