Running Horse

This historic Grade II* listed pub can trace its roots back to at least 1520. It was built on land belonging to the church and was originally known as Rummings House, after the Elinour Rumming, who was written about by Henry VIII's poet, John Skelton. The poem can be found on a wall in the pub. Elinour was not the most attractive of women (according to the poem she was "scurvy and lousy …wondrously wrinkled like a roast pig’s ear"). The beer (called "noppy ale" in the poem) does not sound that great, as hens ran loose around the brewhouse and would "go to roost, straight over the ale joust, and dung when it comes, in the ale tuns". History has it that Elizabeth I spent a night at the pub when flooding made the River Mole impossible to cross. Today t he old lounge has been extended into a back room making it split level, with several areas. This rear area is mainly, but not exclusively, for food and has table service. A courtyard is available for summer drinking, as well as a garden at the back. The smaller public bar has live sport on TV, as well as darts and pool. At one time the pub was threatened with a ludicrous scheme to turn it into a Firkin pub. No food Sunday evening. The pub car park is very small, but there is a public car park close by.

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Last Updated: 27 Jan 2008