The claim
Beside St Mary's parish church in Eastbourne's Old Town, the Lamb is a rambling medieval inn that popular histories date to 1180, though the pub itself settles for the 14th century. Legend speaks of an undercroft and secret passage to the church. Today it is a lively local with Harvey's ales, live music, comedy nights and rooms.
What the records show
Popular histories date it to 1180 and cite a crypt-like cellar and secret passage linked to the neighbouring Norman church; the pub itself more cautiously calls the building 14th century. No documentary licence date has been confirmed.
What to look for inside
- Next to the Norman church of St Mary
- Legend of a secret passage and crypt-like cellar
- Hosts live music and comedy nights
Visiting
The Lamb Inn is in Eastbourne, England, at 36 High Street, Old Town, Eastbourne BN21 1HH. We do not list opening times, because they change; the pub’s own site is the place to check before you set out.
Sources
- www.historic-uk.com/Blog/Twelve-Oldest-Inns-In-England/
- www.thelambeastbourne.co.uk/
- camra.org.uk/pubs/lamb-inn-eastbourne-182617
- ratings.food.gov.uk/business/1951340
- www.heritagegateway.org.uk/gateway/results_single.aspx?uid=1043679&resourceID=5
Know something we don’t?Suggest a correctionLast checked Sept 2026
Run this pub? There is a badge for it
Free to put on your own site, no permission needed. It shows what the pub claims and what the records support, and it changes when the data does.
How to use it, and how to change what it says — if you have a document we have not seen, we would like to read it.
.jpg){kind=link}