For anyone who wants a spooky trip to the pub, or just one full of history, Brighton has plenty of historic (and haunted) pubs. Read on to find out more about Brighton’s most historic pubs.
10. Marlborough Pub and Theatre
Location: 4 Prince’s St, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1RD
The Marlborough is supposedly one of the scariest drinking places in Britain, let alone Brighton. Built in the Victorian era, the place still holds much of its history in the form of its resident ghost – the former landlord’s wife. It is rumoured that she was killed by her husband in the pub, and people today report seeing her. A member of staff spoke about this ghostly phenomenon, saying that the Marlborough is a “ghost friendly” pub.
9. The Pump House
Location: 46 Market Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1HH
The Pump House is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The fireplace there still has the initials of the woman who bought the building in 1766, Miss Elliot, and the cellars date way back to medieval times. Back when the sea was further inland, the building had a pump that was used to bring seawater to the venue and nearby buildings for its health-giving properties.
8. The Black Lion
Location: Black Lion, 14 Black Lion St, Brighton BN1 1ND
Founded by a Flemish Protestant man named Deryck Carver, The Black Lion was rebuilt in the 1970s. Yet rumour has it that Deryck, who was one of the first people to be executed under Mary I (he was burnt in a barrel at the stakes), still haunts the pub’s cellar. Staff have said they had seen beer crates moving when they were in the cellar.
7. The Cricketers
Location: The Cricketers, 15 Black Lion St, Brighton BN1 1ND
This pub dates as far back as the 16th century. Marketed on its website as Brighton’s oldest pub, it also has a morbid story to it. Back in the 1500s, one of the men suspected to be Jack the Ripper lived in the pub. His name was Robert Donston Stephenson, and women have reported seeing him upstairs, or seeing just a pair of eyes.
6. The Druid’s Head
Location: 9 Brighton Pl, Brighton BN1 1HJ
The Druid’s Head dates back many years, and rumour has it that before the pub was built there was a stone circle found on the ground at the site. There is also a smuggling tunnel from the cellar to the sea which is said to host a number of ghosts.
5. Ye Olde King and Queen
Location: 13-17 Marlborough Pl, Brighton BN1 1UB
King and Queen was originally an old farmhouse, and then a two-storey Georgian building. It first gained a licence in 1779 to cater for people, then served as the city’s corn market until 1868. In the 1930s it was renovated to the style it currently stands in.
4. Seven Stars
Location: 27 Ship St, Brighton BN1 1AD
Seven Stars has stunning late-Victorian architecture, complete with high ceilings and decorated columns. It is split across two levels and did have an inscription that said ‘established in 1535’, so it is safe to assume the pub is at least a bit historic.
3. Food for Friends
Location: 17-18 Prince Albert St, Brighton BN1 1HF
Not quite as historic as some of the others, Food for Friends was started in 1981 to serve the veggies of Brighton, since the city has the largest ratio of vegetarians than any other city in the UK.
2. English’s
Location: 29-31 East St, Brighton BN1 1HL
Hidden away in the Lanes, English’s is one of the oldest pub restaurants in Brighton. They’ve been serving seafood since 1945, the restaurant has fed stars for years, from Charlie Chaplin to Dame Judi Dench.
1. Mash Tun
Location: 1 Church St, Brighton BN1 1UE
Another spooky pub, Mash Tun is rumoured to be haunted by a woman called Martha Boxell. She owned the pub during the First World War, and there have been reports of items being thrown around, lightbulbs being taken, and even clothes tossed down a staircase.
Or if you fancy somewhere less old and spooky, check out some of the other pubs and bars in Brighton. Maybe visit some of the most instagrammable bars in the city!
Last Updated on June 11, 2024
Published on October 16, 2021
