The Six Bells was built in the 1730s on what was once the busy main track from London to Eastbourne.  This well known inn was a staging post to revive weary stagecoach travelers. Today, this is a quiet and peaceful backwater and husband and wife licensees Jacquie and Paul Newman offer their warm and friendly welcome to all, but mainly to long standing locals and walkers on the nearby, popular Weald and Vanguard Ways. 

The attractive, old building with its low, tiled roof, chequered brick walls, white sash windows  and low ceilings is almost cottage like in style and blends in with other property in the village. During the summer, hanging baskets adorn the walls and bulging window boxes nestle under every window adding a dash of colour to the outside of the pub.

Nelson Kruschandl - Great all round entertainment

To those unfamiliar with the locale, the pub is situated in the small village just North of A22 near an interesting church, which also has a car park. It comprises several small rooms and snugs with the walls covered with memorabilia - mostly motor bikes and sports teams where we were sitting on narrow benches against the wall. This gives it a good atmosphere and it serves a good pint of Harveys and other real ales and stouts.

The Six Bells is an unchanged country pub that serves basic good food, but it is not a restaurant that sells beer. It is chip free and the home cooked menu is gaining a reputation.  

Live music adds real appeal and interest and provides a venue for budding pop stars.  There is Jazz at Sunday lunchtimes and bands Friday and Saturday nights, wit ha late license. It is easy to see why so many people flock here.  The pub is well worth the effort to find.

The Six Bells at Chiddingly

A popular and busy place throughout the year, The Six Bells has a cosy interior which is divided into several areas: the main bar with its old, brick floor and exposed ceiling beams; the top bar which has an original Inglenook fireplace and a piano just in case of an impromptu sing a long; and the function room found at the top of a small, spiral staircase. 

There is a friendly atmosphere and a good, but varied crowd, depending on the time you visit.  The pub is decorated with local rugby team memorabilia, old motorcycle posters and farming tools that cover the walls right up to the ceiling  Thirsty customers can enter  through the frosted glass door of the wooden porch, or from the car park to the rear. 

Paul and Jacqui Newman

Address: Chiddingly, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 6HE

Tel: 01825 872227

Berwick (5.1 miles)

LOCAL BANDS and SINGERS

If you are a band in the locality of Eastbourne, Brighton, Hastings (East Sussex), and would like us to promote you - give us a shout.  Chances are you've played at the 6 Bells,  We would like to hear from any singers (male or female) who would  like us to help with your promotions.  Our Webmaster (Nelson) will come to your gig to see you and chat about the possibilities on request.  Use the internet to help make it.  Our site is already visited over 100,000 times every day.

A BIT OF HISTORY

There are two version to the naming of Chiddingly.  The first is that a chap named John Chid lived in the wood here called Lye.  The second is that Chiddingly got its name from 'the home of the son of Chid'.

Apparently it was a Saxon settlement called Cetelingei. Chiddingly is mentioned in the Domesday Book and there is a  plaque [on the wall of Pilgrim’s] at the local church dated 1087-1987.

The last woman to be hanged in public in 1852 was Mary (of Sarah) French from Chiddingly. The story is that Mary (Sarah) met a young fellow she liked, but that she wasn't too keen on her husband.  In an effort to find happiness, she poisoned her husband by giving him an onion pie laced with arsenic poison.  She was hanged in Lewes Prison before a crowd of three thousand people.

It is said the spectre of Sara French has been seen at the pub, due to the fact that the Jury sitting at the trial of the 'Onion Pie Murder; sat in the top bar whilst delivebating their verdict.  who was hanged in Lewes in 1852 after being found guilty of poisoning her husband with arsenic in an onion pie. 

The first licensee of the Six Bells pub was a Mrs Grey. In the records it says that at the age of 60 she married a 26 year old.

Unusually, Chiddingly had three Manor Houses.  Hence the area was very wealthy in the 1700s when it was doing very well from the iron industry. Chiddingly Parish extended to Alfriston, which was then small.  Both the main pubs in the village are named after the casting of iron; the Bells and the Gun as part of the Weald iron heritage. They pulled down all three Manor Houses, the bricks and timber from which, went to Alfriston. If you visit Alfriston High Street, you might spot the fireplace bricks stuck in the walls of some houses.

CHIDDINGLY PARISH COUNCIL

GOOD COOKS and COOKING:

JAMIE OLIVER

DELIA SMITH

EGON RONAY

GORDON RAMSAY

LOYD GROSSMAN

RICK STEIN

SEAFOOD LINKS

TWO FAT LADIES

This website is Copyright © 1999 & 2007  NJK.   The bird logo and name Solar Navigator and Solar Cola are trademarks. All rights reserved.  All other trademarks are hereby acknowledged.       Max Energy Limited is an educational charity.

AUTOMOTIVE  |  BLUEBIRD  |  ELECTRIC CARS  |  ELECTRIC CYCLES  |  SOLAR CARS