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Tuesday 23 July 2013

No Smugglers Here

An interesting article appeared on the Daily Echo website this week.  The piece featured The Smugglers Inn in Milford on Sea High Street and was written by senior reporter Maxwell Kusi-Obodum.
 
Locals and visitors alike will know The Smugglers as a family friendly pub with a timber beamed interior, serving hearty gastro style pub food and a good selection of beers. It also has a large beer garden on to village Danestream with childrens play area. Dogs are welcome inside and out.
 
What people may not be aware of, is that inspite of the pubs name, it has no connection with smuggling. As Maxwell put it: "The name suggests an ancient hideout where shady characters sip their brews as the waves crash against the stormy shore. But one of the most intriguing secrets of the Smugglers Inn is that its fascinating history reveals nothing of the sort."
 
The Crown Inn
(Before being renamed The Smugglers)
click image to enlarge
Maxwell goes on to reveal that the original building served as a customs and excise office before being converted into a bar called The Crown Inn. It is also said that the original bar included a barbers. The change of name to The Smugglers Inn was only made around 30 years ago.
 
The Smugglers Inn is a Grade 2 Listed building, but interestingly its listing remains under the name 'Crown Inn, Keyhaven Road, Milford on Sea'. Under its reference; 'English Heritage Building ID: 413237' the building is described as 'Late C18/early C19. Painted roughcast with tiled roof. 2 storeys, 5 windows including  centre blank, lst floor. Sashes with glazing bars. Centre door with flat hood on scroll brackets.'

This historic Coaching Inn is believed to have been built in 1803. Some say the exposed timbers forming the beamed ceilings inside, came from old barns, other say they are old ship timbers.

Milford on Sea also has two other former Coaching Inns, the White Horse, and The Red Lion where you can still see the original stable doors. Plus, of course The Gun Inn in Keyhaven is another pub with a fascinating history.

Today The Smugglers is managed by Susie & Guy Roche (who is also a chef and fisherman.)

The Smugglers Inn will host a Caribbean Barbecue and Party from 2pm on Saturday, 24th August, everyone is welcome!

Read Maxwell Kusi-Obodum’s full story by clicking here.
 
 
The Smugglers Inn
High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QE
Tel: 01590 644414
www.pubsnewforest.co.uk

 

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