The Noah’s Ark Inn is over 400 years old and steeped in history.
THE HISTORY OF THE NOAH’S ARK AND LURGASHALL (Picture from Disc 5 33 – doctored and other shots)
There was, almost certainly, an inhabited settlement in the village of Lurgashall in Roman times. In about 495AD, Hall of Leotegar came with his tribe along the old Roman road leading from Midhurst to London and found a convenient clearing in the Wealden Forest in which he decided to settle. Several generations of his descendents are likely to have lived there.
However through plague, or bad harvest, or for some other reason, the village became almost extinct as there is no mention in the Doomsday Book of 1086. The coming of the Manor and the Alta Rippa family revived the village's fortunes and it grew in importance throughout the feudal period.
In 1557 a village inn was built at the side of the green, with possible funds provided by the Manor. At first it had no name, but ever since records began in about 1700, it has been known as 'The Noah's Ark'. The Inn acquired this rather unusual name because a pond was once outside the door, which patrons had to cross to refresh themselves, giving the impression of animals crossing into the Ark before the deluge.
'The Noah's Ark' was no ordinary Inn. Next door a brew house was built, which for over 350 years brewed the Inn’s beer, even delivering to other inns in the district. In addition to beer, 'The Noah's Ark' baked bread for the village, giving rise to the old jingle:' For well-baked bread and home-brewed ale, you must come to Lurgashale'.
From then on, 'The Noah's Ark' became the center of village life. Local meetings were held there, refreshments were provided for the annual Midsummer Fair. It was also the local headquarters of the Captain Swing Riots of 1830 and, of course, has refreshed countless cricket and football teams after their exertions over the years.
In 1871, 'The Noah's Ark' was sold to an Arundel Brewery and, from that date, brewing on the premises ceased.
Some years ago, the Rev AA Evans wrote in 'A Countryman's Diary'
"This was Lurgashall. I have been to it several times since and with heightened appreciation...its beauty increases with familiarity, it endures, while the merely catchy and trivial wear away".
This is as true today as when he wrote it.
